eLaptopBattery.co.uk's Blog
Your Best Source for Laptop Batteries & AC/DC Adapters



Archive for November, 2011

Solar Gorilla – Portable Solar Charger for Your Laptop

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Solar Gorilla is an upcoming solar panel charger that will apparently keep your laptop running by harvesting the sun’s rays and converting them into electrical power.

Solar Gorilla Chargers is a solar charging solution which is capable of juicing your most energy-sapping devices and gadgets.

  • Solar Gorilla’s supports two USB sockets 24 volt and 5 volt for charging laptop and MP3 player or mobile phone simultaneously which operates under 24 volts.
  • A variety of devices like notebook/laptop, mobile phone, iPod and any other digital gadget can be charged.
  • Everlasting and ultimate renewable source of power.
  • A Wide range of connectors to charge maximum number of gadgets from maximum number of brand manufacturers giving ultimate compatibility.
  • A nifty Neoprene zip case to store all the connectors with great looks ensuring safety for gadgets.
  • Reliable performance because of its solid panels churning out unparalleled power capabilities.
  • Heavyweight charging credentials and rugged craftsmanship gives durability letting you to carry it wherever you go.
  • The convenient fold-up design increases the portability and versatility of the product during storage and special slot allows it to hang from a tent or vehicle making it perfect for travelling or camping.
  • The special water resistant feature is ideal for wet or humid days.

To kindle your interest, you may experience the amazing power of Solar Gorilla Notebook Chargers yourself. Simply open the 2 panels, expose them to sunlight, and watch the green charging indicator gain intensity as the charge increases. Its fun to witness something running on sun ‘GOD’.

 

Power Gorilla Laptop ChargerPower Gorilla Laptop Charger

If you’ve always loved the idea of a solar charger but hated the way they can’t charge laptops, this is for you!

Solar Gorilla Portable ChargerSolar Gorilla Portable Charger

As it has already been mentioned earlier that compatibility is not an issue at all since lot of connectors are supplied with the charger.

Portable Solar Charger features:

  • Solar Gorilla will charge most gadgets like laptops, iPhone, PDAs, iPod, MP3/MP4, handheld games consoles, etc.
  • The pack of 15 connectors in which 8 male laptop connectors and 9 ‘monkey nuts’.
  • The connector tips for mobile phones are legibly written on the pack.
  • USB extension cable.
  • Output capacity: 500mAh at 20V 500mAh at 5V
  • Dimensions: height 264mm, width 200mm, depth 19mm.
  • Weight: 700g

Apart from above, the Solar Gorilla laptop charger will undeniably charge the iPhone 3G in the same way as rest of other mobiles.

Lenovo Battery Tips

Friday, November 11th, 2011

If you have never heard of Lenovo computers then you need to pay closer attention to the things that are going on in the computer world. Lenovo sounds familiar to the computer buyers of today because they are one of the largest personal computer manufacturers in the world but for people that have followed the personal computer business closely you may know Lenovo better by the name of the personal computer company it purchased a few years ago and that was IBM Personal Computers. Like IBM before them Lenovo is very strict on accessories for their notebooks and that goes for their batteries as well.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why you no longer hear the name IBM on television anymore when it comes to things like laptop computers and personal computers and small computers for business? The reason you do not hear the name IBM mentioned anymore is because in 2005 IBM sold off its personal computer division to a company out of China called Lenovo. In typical Chinese fashion Lenovo has avoided doing a lot of advertising here in the United States and relies heavily on the IBM brand and laptop computer models like the Thinkpad to be their source of advertising. If you do an internet search on the name Thinkpad you will find the Lenovo website and if you still want to purchase the IBM Thinkpad line of laptop computers then all you need to do is follow your internet search to the Lenovo website.

There you will find the line of Thinkpad laptop computers but missing is the name IBM. Lenovo has only been on the world stage for a very short time and after already becoming the largest personal computer maker in China Lenovo has taken the first jump into the world stage with their acquisition of the IBM computer line which now makes them the fourth largest personal computer manufacturer in the world. While you may not be seeing a lot of Lenovo advertising on the television you will find a strong internet presence that supports the Thinkpad line of laptops with a full line of accessories including batteries.

Lenovo is in a unique position as they may either be the manufacturer of their laptop batteries or have direct access to the manufacturer which will allow them to have some very competitive prices for their laptop batteries. If you are looking to replace a Thinkpad battery that is starting to show signs of fading, or if you are looking to get a battery that has more capacity than your current battery, then the very first place you should look is on the Lenovo website. Do a search on the model of your Thinkpad and see what kind of results you get. The chances are very high that the prices you find for the Lenovo branded batteries will be very competitive even compared to the third party manufacturers which are normally very inexpensive in general.

People that own previous models of the Thinkpad that were manufactured by IBM can also check out the Lenovo site for batteries and other accessories for their Thinkpads. The chances are very good that Lenovo still supports your model of Thinkpad and that they also offer a full line of accessories and upgrades that include standard capacity batteries and high capacity batteries as well. So check out Lenovo for your laptop battery needs if you already own a Lenovo laptop computer.

Recycling Samsung Laptop Batteries

Friday, November 11th, 2011

When you have a Samsung laptop, it is important to be a responsible owner. This does not just mean taking good care of your laptop. This also entrails that when your rechargeable battery can no longer be charged, that it be disposed of in the proper way. Throwing away batteries is hazardous to the environment and there are many steps that have been taken to make it easy for you to join so many others to keep the world clean by recycling Samsung laptop batteries. Going green does not seem so much like a popular trend, as it is a new way of life and recycling plays a big role in this.

The average laptop rechargeable battery will last anywhere from two to four years. The amount of time that a Samsung laptop battery lasts will depend on the use and care of both the machine and the batteries. There are some ways that you can extend the life of your battery. It always helps to not run programs that you do not need. Many laptop users do not think about the amount of windows that they have open, but are not using, and how this takes away from the lifespan of the battery. Defragging your laptop on a regular basis also helps as does cleaning the battery with a cotton swab and a dab of rubbing alcohol on the area of connection. However, even if you do extend it life somewhat, there will come a day when it simply cannot be charged any longer. It is at this time that all laptop users are urged to be responsible and recycle and not to toss the battery out in the trash.

When a battery is tossed in the trash, it creates hazardous material. When recycled, it is used to create other things, most commonly components from old batteries can be used to create new ones. When a produce is made from recycled materials that already exist, it always saves energy costs in comparison to manufacturing something from scratch.

Recycling Samsung laptop batteries is very easy and will not take up a lot of time. In return, you are playing an important role to keep the Earth clean. While it is tempting to just toss that battery in the trash, almost just as easy is to bring it to a recycling facilities.

To make it easy for the average consumer to recycle, many facilities have been set up as places where you can drop off your battery and they take care of the rest. Most of the time, these drop off centers are located in easy accessible places such as your local post office, book store, food store and other.

This is a nationwide plan called Call2Recycle. This program is helping hundreds of thousands of people lend a hand to keep environment clean by recycling their Samsung laptop batteries in the easiest way possible. Since this program has been incorporated, more than forty million pounds of batteries have been recycled.

There is over fifty thousand drop off locations globally. The objective is to put together drop off center which will be as simple and easy as feasible. If you are not sure if there is such a place close to where you are, a quick search on the web will be able to let you know where you can go, and often you will find that it is along one of your normal routes when running errands. Alternatively, your local city hall or other such local government should be able to present you with a list of places.

Replacement Laptop AC Adapters

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Replacing the AC adapter for your laptop is a much more important process than you may think it is. There are many things to take into account when looking for laptop AC adapters, and a failure to be as thorough as possible in your search could result in purchasing a unit that could damage your laptop. To avoid any problems with your replacement laptop power adapters and to help make sure that you are finding the correct replacement battery charger for your laptop, it is a good idea to follow some advice on what to consider when looking for a replacement laptop AC adapters.

Replacement Laptop AC AdapterReplacement Laptop AC Adapter

The AC adapter is the unit that can power your laptop when you have access to a power outlet, and it is also the unit that recharges your laptop battery so that you can enjoy the power of portable computing. Having a functioning AC adapter is critical to any laptop owner, and if your AC adapter suddenly dies then you are going to need a notebook battery charger as soon as possible. There are several things to take into account when purchasing replacement laptop power adapters, and as long as you make all considerations then you will be fine with your purchase.

The easiest way to purchase replacement laptop AC adapters is to purchase them directly from the laptop manufacturer. The laptop manufacturer will have each laptop model lined up with each compatible AC adapter, and you should be able to make your selection without experiencing any difficulties at all. But an AC adapter from the manufacturer can be extremely expensive, and in some cases the laptop may be so old that replacement laptop AC adapters are no longer available from the manufacturer. To save money, or for convenience, it is better to look for a third party replacement AC adapter.

Third party manufacturers are usually the companies that make the replacement laptop power adapters for the laptop manufacturers in the first place, so getting complete compatibility with your laptop should not be a problem. Most third party manufacturers have a compatibility matrix you can refer to in order to find the model of their replacement laptop AC adapter that works perfectly with your laptop. Most third party manufacturers warranty their products very well, and they are also available to answer questions should you have any.

Replacement AC AdapterReplacement AC Adapter

Something that many people forget to take into account when purchasing replacement laptop AC adapters is where they are in the world. The power requirements for electrical equipment in Europe, and the connections needed to plug into the outlets in Europe, are much different that those requirements found in the United States and the rest of North America. There are international adapter kits available for your laptop AC adapter to allow it to plug into the European outlets, or you can be certain to purchase a replacement laptop power adapter that is compatible with the European power configuration.

Universal AC AdapterUniversal AC Adapter

Either way, it is important to keep in mind every detail possible when purchasing something as important as a replacement laptop AC adapter. Purchasing a unit that is not compatible with your laptop or not sufficient for your power needs, can cause major problems and potentially damage your laptop. To protect your laptop, be certain to ask questions and cover all the bases when purchasing a laptop battery charger.

Recycling Sony Laptop Batteries

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Along with the pleasure of having a laptop computer comes the inevitable time when you will have a laptop battery that has reached the end of its life. Should you toss it out or is there a better alternative? As the news spins about stories of global warming and we all hear about how landfills are filling up faster than anyone can handle, “going green” has never been so popular. There if you have a Sony laptop, take a moment to find out the simple ways you can help out by recycling Sony laptop batteries and how this can benefit not just the environment, but you personally, as well.

If you own a Sony laptop or notebook computer, you should know about the ways in which your old battery can be recycled before you head toward that trash can. You may be tempted to simply throw away a battery that is no longer of use. Nevertheless, the next time your battery dies on you, take a minute to think about how you can “go green” with this, before you simply toss it out.

Your Sony laptop battery can be recharged many times, however with all such batteries, there will be a time in which the battery has been fully discharged and recharging simply does not work anymore. When this happens, the battery will not be able to be used any more. As with just about all types of batteries, Sony laptops batteries are harmful to the environment. If just tossed away with everyday trash, this will have a detrimental effect to the environment. In a world that is going green more and more each day, anyone who has an old battery should learn about the very simple methods of taking that battery and making sure that it is recycled and not thrown away.

Most Common Laptop Battery Problems

Friday, November 4th, 2011

What would we do without laptops? From those who prefer to do work on the go at a coffee shop to those who simply want a smaller computer to work on from home, laptop computers are the way to go. They are portable, easy to work on and the answer to many who wish for a fast method of jumping onto the Internet or performing work no matter where they are. However, as most laptop users know, it is not always possible to plug your laptop in, and you must be able to depend on your machine’s batteries. Batteries can be very expensive, so let’s take a look at the most common laptop battery problems that users experience and some tips that may help laptop users.

Laptop Battery ProblemsLaptop Battery Problems

It has probably happened to you before; you were working on an important presentation or perhaps a complicated Excel spreadsheet when your laptop suddenly warned you that the battery was low. You rush to save your work before everything closes down. Or perhaps you just charged your laptop, believed all would be fine and suddenly an issue occurred. It’s happened to all of us, so let’s take look at the most common laptop battery problems that people experience and what may be done to prevent them.

Batteries, as you probably know, can be extremely expensive. The main reason for this is that the manufacturer of any particular laptop is the only manufacturer for the battery as well. Each laptop will only work with one certain battery and most are not interchangeable as everyday batteries are.

Because of this, owners are not given the opportunity to shop around and compare prices. Many times, the battery itself is almost as expensive as the laptop. For this reason, we are discussing the most common laptop battery problems.

 

One of the most common problems is called memory effect. This is a term used to describe what happens when an owner constantly recharges the battery without it discharging fully. For example, you may have worked on your laptop all day and noticed in the evening that the battery had roughly half life left. You then charge the battery overnight and wake up to a fully charged one. This may seem like a good idea, however charging a battery that is not fully discharged and in need of charging will eventually cause memory effect and begin to last less and less time for you until eventually a so-called fully charged battery only lasts minutes. While batteries are not alive, this is referred to as the battery forgetting that it has unused capacity and it discharges faster each time that it is used. This can all be avoided if you only recharge your laptop battery when it truly needs charging.

Another one of the most common laptop battery problems is when a laptop is left sitting unused, with the battery still in it. Even while not in use, the battery will slowly be drained. You will then find that when you do finally try to turn on your laptop, the battery is dead . This can be avoided by taking out the battery if you will not be using your laptop for several days to a week or longer.

Another issue that is one of the most common laptop battery problems is an overheating battery. Have you ever been at work on your machine and realized that the battery was becoming very hot to the touch? If this happens, the battery would be removed and allowed to cool off. If this issue continues to happen, it may be a defective battery. It is then recommend to not use that battery as doing so could cause damage to your machine.

You can also experience battery problems if you allow your battery to completely discharge outside the laptop. You should check the battery while it in storage so it will not be allowed to completely discharge. This could also prevent the laptop from accepting the battery when you place it back into the computer.

If your laptop battery becomes hot to the touch you will need to remove the battery and allow it to cool off. If this problem continues when you replace the battery in the laptop, you will probably have a defective battery. It is best to remove the battery and replace it since a defective battery could cause extensive damage to the laptop. Check with the manufactured to see if your particular battery has been recalled.

5 Tips to Prolong Laptop Battery Life

Friday, November 4th, 2011

Owners of  laptops can enjoy the benefits of working or surfing the Internet on the go. This is the main selling point of having a portable laptop; however any owner must also think about the battery. As the owner of a laptop, you will want your battery to last as long as possible. Rechargeable batteries can only be recharged so much, and then it will be time to purchase a new one. The average laptop battery only lasts two to four years. How can you extend the life of your laptop’s battery? The answer is by simply following these 6 tips to prolong laptop battery life.

Tip number one for prolonging the battery life of your laptop’s battery is to defrag your computer. This is something that many laptops owners over look and many do not realize with affect the life span of their rechargeable battery. There is a good reason why this will help. The easier it is for your hard drive to work, the less battery power it is that your laptop will consume. When you perform a defragmentation, this will increase the reading speed of your hard drive. When you hard drive spins and reads, it takes up quite a bit of battery power. Therefore, set a schedule and do a defragmentation one time per month. Your computer will run faster and your battery will last longer.

Tip number two in the 5 tips to prolong laptop battery life is to simply think about what is going on behind the scenes while you are typing or clicking around. It is easy to forget about programs that you have opened previously that are running in the background. If you do not need a program any longer, just take those few seconds to close it down and this can greatly help. Instead of your battery using precious power for a program you are not even using, you can extend its life by just asking it to give you power for what you actually need.

 

Tip number three in the 5 tips to prolong laptop battery life is to take care of your battery. Many people do not think about the battery as it sits inside of their laptop. However, by taking just a little bit of time to clean and maintain it, you can greatly extend its life. Once a month, you will want to clean it and this is a very easy and simple task. All you need is a small cloth and a bit of rubbing alcohol. A wipe across your laptop’s battery where it makes connection one time per month will give you better transference of power, thus extending the life.

Tip number four in the 5 tips to prolong laptop battery life is to keep in mind if you really need to use Wi-Fi all of the time. There will be plenty of times that you do use your Wi-fi, but then perhaps do a copy and paste into a document and work from that. In these cases, turn off the wireless connection and you will stop that battery from consuming a whole bunch of power.

Laptop Battery Tips

Tip number five and the final tip in the 5 tips to prolong laptop battery life is to think about temperature. It really does make a difference. What keeps a laptop cool? It is the air vents and these can quickly become clogged up with dust. When you keep these vents clean, you are prolonging the life of your battery. It only takes a moment or two to use a keyboard cleaner to blow out the dust that accumulates. Do this one time per month, along with the above tips and you will notice a big difference.

Sony Replacement Laptop Batteries

Friday, November 4th, 2011

If you have a Sony laptop, there are going to be four elements that you will want to know about Sony replacement laptop batteries. It is important to know what to do when your battery can no longer be charged and you must decide what to do with that old battery, you will want to know what easy steps you can take to extend the life of your battery and finally, when it is time to purchase a new Sony replacement laptop battery, you will want to know how to save money. Let’s discuss these important details for any Sony owner.

If you have a Sony laptop, there will come a time when that rechargeable battery can no longer hold a charge. Many laptop users wonder why it is that a battery can only be charged so often. It is hard to imagine that a battery can have a memory, but in a way, it does. Each time that it is charged, it loses a bit more of that memory until it reaches the point of having none. At that time, it will not take any more charges and will be considered to be dead. The average life span of a laptop battery is between two and four years.

Therefore, at some point you will need to dispose of your old battery and get a replacement. When it is time to do so, it is highly suggested to not just throw your laptop battery away in the normal trash. This is considered to be hazardous material and should be disposed of in the proper way. Facilities have been established nationwide in order to make it very easy for a person to drop off a battery so that it can be recycled. Elements from older batteries are used to create new ones. This helps everyone and certainly helps to keep the planet clean.

 

Now, there are several techniques that are very easy to do, which will extend the life of your Sony battery. One of the things that you can do is to shut off any programs that you are not using on your laptop. For example, you may have opened Firefox to quickly look at the weather and then have it running in the background while you type in Word. As it silently runs in the background, it is taking power from your battery. Therefore, closing down any program that you do not need will help. It is also a good idea to routinely defragmentation your computer. It is suggested to do this every few months. Another step that you can take to extend the life of that battery is to keep it clean. Many laptop owners do not think about the dust and debris that can affect a battery. Taking a soft cloth and a dab of rubbing alcohol across the area of the battery where it connects will help keep it clean and extend the life.

Now, no matter how hard you try, your battery will eventually need to be replaced. You may be tempted to simply jump at the first replacement battery that you see, especially if your old one died without much warning. However, it will pay off to look around and comparison shop. There are many good deals on Sony replacement batteries, from discounted batteries to coupons that will help out your wallet. The Internet allows for very easy comparison shopping and when it comes to your Sony replacement laptop batteries, this is not an exception.

Replacement Laptop Batteries

Friday, November 4th, 2011

The concept that a square peg cannot fit into a round hole applies to the issue of replacement laptop batteries. Since different computers exist, varying computer batteries are required to serve as functional replacements. Before actually purchasing a new battery for your laptop, there are a few things you should consider to help ensure that your selection will be an appropriate one. The first thing to understand if you hope to not feel overwhelmed by the numerous options of manufacturers and retailers of laptop batteries is to know the make and model of your machine. You may also have access to the battery compartment where you can learn useful information. On the battery itself, you may find specifications, such as the battery part number, simplifying your project.

Laptop Power SupplyLaptop Power Supply

Now, with the battery part number, assuming it is still being manufactured, you could choose to buy an exact replica. However, in many cases where consumers are acquiring replacement laptop batteries, they were dissatisfied with their previous battery and are now looking for something that will perform better for them. What would you like out of your laptop battery? Many people look for a battery that requires the least-frequent need to recharge. Others want a battery that will last them for years. A combination of these two of these is ideal.

There are three many types of replacement laptop batteries that you may be looking into. A nickel cadmium battery, or NiCad, is the oldest version of laptop batteries. These are quite unreliable, requiring a recharge fairly often and ruining easily if left charging for too long. As time goes by, this battery loses its charging capabilities and holds less and less until it completely dies. Nickel metal hydride, or NiMH, is the next-oldest battery for laptops. It suffers from some of the same problems as the NiCad battery, but to a lesser degree.

What you want, instead of the previous two kinds of replacement laptop batteries, is the lithium ion, or Li-Ion battery. It is light-weight and superior to its predecessors. It is prized for lasting longer because it does not suffer from the same charging issues as the nickel batteries. Within the category of Li-Ion batteries, there are many choices still available, so the next step in obtaining a high-quality replacement battery is to determine which Li-Ion battery you want for your laptop. Price will certainly be affected by life expectancy and reliability.

Universal Laptop Battery Chargers – A Real Alternative

Friday, November 4th, 2011

Laptops have become the computer choice of the world and are found in most homes. They are becoming more the norm than the specialty item. Universal laptop battery chargers are one of the more popular accessories to laptops. These are battery charges that work with nearly any laptop computer on the market. They are not brand specific and can be compatible with most brands as a backup charger or a replacement charger. The cost for these battery chargers is usually dramatically less than those put out by the computer companies and can be just as effective and reliable for your laptop.

Universal AC Adapter

Universal laptop battery chargers can be found online fairly easily. When you are searching for a new battery charger for your laptop, make sure that you are aware of some of the basic information about your machine such as the voltage requirements. Most of the advertised universal battery charges will give you information about compatibility listing the models and brands that it will work with. There are several to choose from on the market today making it easy to get a replacement quickly. At the prices you may even choose to purchase more than one in order to keep them in multiple locations.

Purchasing universal laptop battery chargers instead of the brand name does not mean you will sacrifice quality. In fact, many of the manufacturers of these chargers offer a one year or better warranty for the product. Some of the companies even offer a 30 day money back guarantee allowing you to decide if you are satisfied with the product or return it in the first month. The typical price range for these universal chargers is between $40 and $55. The online companies often offer expedited shipping for a small fee and you can have your new charger in just a couple of days. Door to door delivery is an excellent perk of purchasing online.

Universal Laptop AC Adapter

Choosing to purchase universal laptop battery chargers is a wise choice for many. They are cost effective and can have the same quality as the brand name products. These items are easily accessible through the internet and will fit nearly any laptop computer. Choosing the right charger for your laptop requires just a bit of research and knowing a little about your computer requirements. This will make short work of picking out the correct charger. Not choosing brand name chargers does not mean sacrificing anything and in fact could help you save a great deal of money for other much needed items.