Using a Battery
Battery Performance
NOTE:
For information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the Product
Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with your
computer.
For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings,
operate your Dell portable computer with the main battery installed at all
times. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.
NOTE:
Because the battery may not be fully charged, use the AC adapter to
connect your new computer to an electrical outlet the first time you use the
computer. For best results, operate the computer with the AC adapter until the
battery is fully charged. To view battery charge status, check the Power Meter in
Power Options (see "Accessing Power Options Properties" on page 26).
NOTE:
Battery operating time (the time the battery can hold a charge) decreases
over time. Depending on how often the battery is used and the conditions under
which it is used, you may need to purchase a new battery during the life of your
computer.
NOTE:
It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet
when writing to a CD or DVD.
Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations
including, but not limited to, the following:
•
Using optical drives.
•
Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, Express Cards, media
memory cards, or USB devices.
•
Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-
intensive programs such as complex 3D graphics applications.
•
Running the computer in maximum performance mode. See "Configuring
Power Management Settings" on page 26 for information about accessing
Windows Power Options Properties or Dell QuickSet, which you can use
to configure power management settings.
You can check the battery charge before you insert the battery into the
computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the
battery charge is low.
Quick Reference Guide
21