op replacement, try unplugging it when it's not in use. Take care to unplug the charger from the wall, too, as otherwise it consumes electricity. Better yet, leave the laptop plugged in all the time, but remove its battery. For long-term storage, lithium-ion batteries should be allowed to run down to little below half charge. Store them safely in a warm, dry location.

Despite your best efforts, laptop batteries will eventually die, and often before the laptop dies of natural causes. While this is not a major problem for people who use their laptops as desktop replacements, relying on AC Power all the time, this is a major issue for anyone who travels with their computer. If you've ever been in this situation, you know that replacement laptop batteries are expensive, often costing as much as $150. Next time you buy a computer, consider buying a second battery with it. This will also be helpful in the short term, as it will allow you to bring a second, fully charged battery with you, effectively doubling your laptop's runtime. Alternate between the two batteries, and you should be fine for the lifetime of your laptop.

If your laptop's battery has already run out, do not despair. If you ever thought that laptop batteries purchased from the manufacturer were ridiculously overpriced, you were right. In fact, the cells in your laptop's battery may only be worth about $20. If you are competent with this sort of thing, it is possible to rebuild your laptops battery. Engadget has a useful guide to this here.