iBook and battery question

[Audone]

We purchased a used iBook, 300 mHz, and we're finding that it's never being used without being plugged in to a power source.  Thus far we haven't had the need for the portability. It runs on a lithium ion battery, and I'm wondering if it's better to leave the battery in the computer or remove it when the battery isn't required?  What, if anything, does removing it do to it's ability to hold a charge?

Thanks!

[krissel]

The general recommendation is to fully charge the removable battery and take it out if you aren't going to use it but instead keep the unit connected to AC.
 However , please note that if you remove the AC, the internal battery that keeps time, PRAM settings,  date, etc. has only a 5 hour charge. If the book is disconnected for more than that time period you will have to reset everything.

 More info

 and more

I also read an article recently that said contrary to common opinion, the battery should never be drained completely as that will diminish its overall life expectancy.  Nor should it be left in a constant trickle charge . That leaves using it a lot but not completely, then recharging and if connected to AC, remove. Sure limits the options.

[krissel]

Found the source of the previous post's info:
Macfixit...

 

quote:  ...while totally draining a lithium ion battery may help in some cases to reset the time-remaining indicator, doing so regularly may actually damage your battery.

Also, lithium ion batteries do not need to be trickle charged and will in fact deteriorate slightly, if they are continuously charged. Because of that, it makes sense to pull the battery when it's full.

Third, the life expectancy of a lithium ion battery is greatly increased, if it's never fully discharged. One reader says that shallow discharges can increase the life of a battery to well beyond 10,000 charge cycles.
 

[Audone]

Thanks for all that information, krissel, and the links.  I'm still not convinced I understand which way is best.

[krissel]

When I first bought my PB four years ago the prevailing advice was to occasionally use it until the battery gave its warning that it was about to shut down, then fully recharge to get the best life.

Now it appears that is not recommended. Instead after the battery is charged, take it out if normally connected to AC and occasionally use it but not drain it down too far. Then recharge again.  You also don't want to totally leave the battery out for several months without use, as it slowly will discharge and then is in danger of never charging again. I had that problem with a spare battery I just let sit in its box for nearly a year. It wouldn't take a charge at all. I was luckily able to use the battery reset program Apple has on their site to reawaken the battery. However it doesn't hold a charge quite as long as the other one. Now I try to remember to rotate them, though I mostly use AC anyway.

It is aggravating to get conflicting advice especially since those things aren't cheap and the ones for my Wallstreet are slowly getting harder to find without paying a premium price.