User's Guide

Using a Battery
Battery Performance
Checking the Battery Charge
Charging the Battery
Removing a Battery
Removing and Installing a Reserve Battery
Installing a Battery
Storing a Battery
Battery Performance
For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your Dellâ„¢ portable computer
with the main battery installed at all times. Use a battery to run the computer when the computer is not
connected to an electrical outlet. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.
Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. With average usage, you may expect from 3
to 4 hours from a single, fully charged battery. You can install an optional second battery in the module bay to
significantly increase operating time. For more information about the second battery, see "Using the Module
Bay."
Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including, but not limited to, the
following:
z
Using optical drives, especially DVD and CD-RW drives
z
Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, or USB devices
z
Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-intensive programs, such as
3D games
z
Running the computer in maximum performance mode
NOTE: Batteries for portable computers are covered under warranty only during the initial 1-year
period of the limited warranty for the computer. For more information about the Dell warranty for the
computer, see the System Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with
your computer.
NOTE: For more information on maximizing battery operating time, see "Power Management."
NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a CD.
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