Dell laptop battery basics and notebook battery cycle life
There are three common types of common rechargeable batteries used in portable electronic devices today. 
Nickel-cadmium (Ni-CD) – Ni-CD batteries are used in devices where longer life, higher power and duration in more extreme temperatures are needed. These battery types are commonly seen in power tools and two-way radios.
Nickel-metal-hydride (Ni-MH) – Ni-MH batteries provide more energy than Ni-CD batteries but for a shorter period of time. These battery types are commonly seen in mobile phones, PDAs, cordless drills and older notebook PCs.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) – Li-Ion batteries are the most advanced batteries currently used in portable electronic devices such as laptop computers, cellular telephones and power tools. Li-Ion batteries are lighter, store more energy and retain their charge longer than nickel-based batteries of comparable size. Also, Li-Ion batteries can be recharged before they are fully discharged without losing charge capacity to the memory effect.
Dell Laptop Battery Basics
Rechargeable laptop batteries have become an essential component of portable electronic devices. The information below should help you better understand how your notebook battery functions and performs.
Laptop Battery Safety
Dell works closely with third party laptop computer battery suppliers to drive continuous safety and design improvements that help deliver higher levels of safety and reliability. In the unlikely event of a potential safety issue, Dell uses proven best-in-class processes and works closely with the appropriate worldwide regulatory agencies to help deliver the highest possible level of safety and best customer experience.
General Laptop Battery Warnings:
• Do not disassemble, crush, or puncture a battery; short the external contacts on a battery; or dispose of a battery in fire or water. Do not expose a battery to temperatures above 60°C (140°F).
• Keep the battery away from children.
• Only the battery provided with the computer, a replacement battery provided by Dell, or a compatible battery purchased as an accessory from Dell should be used with the computer.
Notebook Battery Cycle Life and Aging
The life of your battery will vary depending on the product configuration, product model, applications loaded on the product, power management settings of the product, and the product features used by the customer. As with all Dell latitude e6400 batteries, the maximum capacity of your battery will decrease with time or use.
All rechargeable batteries gradually lose their capacity to hold a charge. The battery cycle life is the total number of charge cycles a battery supplies before it can no longer hold a useful amount of charge.
This loss in capacity (aging) is irreversible and cannot be restored. Gradually, less and less active material is available within each cell to electrochemically store a charge. Consequently, the Dell laptop battery provides less useable time to power the computer.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) laptop batteries typically have a lifespan of between 300 and 500 cycles. With moderate use, Lithium-ion batteries can be expected to deliver around 80% of their original capacity after 300 cycles or about one year of use (see graph above). Note: The graph above illustrates 80% of original capacity after 300 cycles at an operating temperature between 77° F and 104° F (25° C and 40° C). Higher operating temperatures can result in a 70% or more loss of capacity given the same number of cycles.
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