Using a Battery 31
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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 page35).
Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. You can install an optional second
battery in the media bay to significantly increase operating time.
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, 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 35 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 (see "Checking the Battery Charge" on page32) before you insert the
battery into the computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the battery
charge is low.