Initially, a laptop was conceived as a mobile alternative to a stationary personal computer, but many neglect its potential, using the device in one place, with a constant connection to the network. Such users have a reasonable question: “Why do I need a battery, can I turn it off?” You will find the answer to this question in this article; we will also figure out what to do if the laptop does not work without a battery from the mains.
So, can a laptop work without a battery? Answer: yes, except for very rare cases with extremely old models, where the hardware configuration itself implies the mandatory connection of a battery. In such models, the current must first pass to the battery, and only then be distributed to the required areas and power the components. Modern devices do not suffer from such quirks; in most cases, you are able to disconnect the battery of your laptop at any time and continue to work as if nothing had happened, provided that it is connected to the network.
What problems might there be?
Laptop won't work without mains battery? There can be many problems, but they can be divided into logical groups; the location of the breakdown will determine for us.
power unit
Very often the problem lies in the power supply. It can naturally burn (often emitting an unpleasant odor and even smoke) or turn off under load, heat or changes. This problem can be solved by a simple replacement. Usually you don’t have to look for it for a long time; we go to any suitable store with a damaged patient and buy a brand new power supply. Be sure to pay attention to the power and connector to avoid wasting time returning or replacing equipment.
Very often the cause of problems lies in the power supply.
Power supply cord
Also, the laptop may not turn on without a battery due to problems with the power supply cord. Depending on the intensity and type of transportation, the cord is damaged in two places: near the connection to the device socket and at the attachment to the power supply, let’s look at it in more detail.
- At the base. As a rule, the junction of the wire with the power supply is subject to constant bending and friction, so you need to roll and bend the wire very carefully. Otherwise, the new cable will break in less than 6 months. You can replace or repair the wire yourself. If the part of the wire closest to the power supply is still “alive,” then you can cut off the leaky area and connect the entire wires, making sure to insulate each one (usually there are two of them). If the wire has become unusable at its very base, then you can disassemble the block and replace the wire already inside it. In any case, the appearance of your charger will undergo changes and lose its presentable appearance.
- The plug is for connecting to a laptop. Most often, problems in this area appear after transporting the device with the charger connected. The wire gets bent and often breaks. Depending on the degree of wear, you can replace the leaky areas with a still live wire or replace the wire completely, but then you will have to replace it in the power supply.
Connector on a laptop
Damaged laptop power socket
Careless use or transportation, as well as frequent lifting of the laptop by the charger cord or other types of physical impact can damage the socket itself through which we connect the device to the network. Because of this, the laptop may not turn on without a battery. You can replace the connector yourself if you are able to disassemble the laptop and get to the socket itself. Otherwise, if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to trust the specialists and give the laptop for service.
Problems with the motherboard
The average user is unlikely to cope with a broken motherboard. Often, replacing the necessary transistors or capacitors can solve the problem, but not everyone is able to correctly diagnose such a breakdown, and it is better to contact specialists. We have dealt with the types of problems, imagine that we did not have them, or we solved them, but is it safe to use a laptop without a battery? Let's figure it out further.
Safe operation without battery
Can a laptop work stably and for a long time without a battery? Yes, but subject to certain conditions:
- The power supply must be of high quality, preferably original;
- the energy source must be stable;
- It is advisable to connect an uninterruptible power supply.
An uninterruptible power supply will protect your laptop from power surges
Why bother with uninterruptible power? It's very simple, by connecting a laptop directly to the network, you put your entire system at risk, primarily the hard drive and motherboard. Serious voltage surges can simply burn out your device or one of its components. Naturally, such an outcome is not necessary, and many people turn on and use a laptop without a battery (battery) for many years without any problems. With strong voltage drops, there is also a possibility of the operating system crashing, which is a trifle, but unpleasant.
Impact on the battery
Some particularly thrifty users deliberately disconnect the battery so that it does not deteriorate. This makes some sense, but there are also some caveats. Let's look at the charging process itself.
Depending on the settings of specialized software that monitors the condition of the battery, the degree of its charge and the energy consumption mode, the battery is charged to a certain threshold: 100%, 60% or 50%. Constant connection to the network means constant recharging of the battery, which has an extremely negative impact on the duration of its operation. As a result, the battery will fail several times faster than with proper use, especially when charging to one hundred percent. In this sense, disconnecting the battery has a positive effect on its condition, but there is one “But”.
The battery needs and must be discharged and charged, otherwise lithium-ion batteries will deteriorate. The ideal option would be to disconnect the battery from the laptop and systematically charge and discharge it; only such use will ensure its maximum service life.
Conclusion
Operating a laptop without a battery from the mains is possible anywhere, but you need to be very careful and careful, especially if voltage fluctuations in your home are common. If your laptop refuses to work without a battery, then check the integrity of all charger modules and the charger itself, as described in the article.
If you have any questions, ask them in the comments!
Have you ever wondered what the essence of revolutionary changes in engineering and technology is? Why does an engineering idea, which at first seemed brilliant, not find approval among consumers, but a simple design discovery can create a real boom? Or maybe marketing gimmicks are more important than engineering genius? Today, such bizarre hybrids and “new trends” are appearing on the computer platform market that you never cease to be amazed! The compact mini-system SFF platform begins to compete with the Desknote subclass of “desktop” batteryless laptops, and those, in turn, with the newfangled Tablet PCs.
It's no secret that laptops are increasing their share of the total number of computer systems sold year after year. This is due to a number of reasons, the main of which are improved speed and functional characteristics (due to which laptops have come close to desktop systems in terms of performance) while simultaneously reducing prices for laptop computers. Of course, a laptop computer costs on average 1.5-2 times more than a desktop system similar in these parameters, and, unlike the latter, it is difficult to upgrade during operation. Therefore, many had to sacrifice portability for the sake of a winning price. At the same time, the growth in computer system performance for the vast majority of applications has already exceeded reasonable limits, and the frequent change of platforms negates the possibility of reasonable modernization. What can we realistically add to our existing desktop system over time? Well, let’s say we increase the amount of RAM, replace the hard drive with a larger one (and it’s not a fact that by the time we need it, manufacturers will not have time to change its interface) and install a slightly faster processor (a radical increase in its performance will certainly require replacement motherboard, memory type, power supply and possibly the case itself, which will lead to replacing the entire computer).
Thus, compared to a desktop computer, a laptop has only one significant drawback - its high price. Everything else (that is, compactness, ease of transportation and low noise level) is beyond competition.
However, more and more often you can see that laptops are used exclusively “from the outlet,” although they are carried from place to place. In such a situation, it is quite logical to abandon the unnecessary, expensive and short-lived battery, energy storage system and other mobile subsystems, thereby saving a significant part of the cost (and maintaining all the main advantages). In addition, such systems can use desktop components, which will be much cheaper.
According to the results of marketing research, in the near future it seems possible to increase the production of batteryless laptops that require connection to a power source. After analysts found that many customers work on their laptops in close proximity to an outlet and the main thing they need is the ability to move their workspace to a nearby desk in the office or at home for the weekend, manufacturers came up with Desknote. In principle, power is available in almost any more or less civilized place - most public places have sockets on the walls: in airport lounges, in hotels and even on airplanes. The laptop can be powered even in the car.
Without a doubt, such a computer is quite convenient and comfortable for work, and if you don’t like its non-standard keyboard or the touch pad is uncomfortable, then you can get an additional set of a full-size keyboard and a classic mouse and store it in places where you more or less regularly stay. But the opportunity to quickly move along with your workplace to another room, apartment or country house will undoubtedly attract many potential buyers.
However, Desknote is only at first glance just a laptop without batteries. Without the disadvantages of their battery-powered counterparts, such as weak power and battery life, batteryless laptops can be equipped with faster and more powerful processors, standard memory, brighter displays and other hardware from desktop computers (even adjusted for the increased heat generation of such components no need to save energy allows for better cooling even in the smallest case). In addition, all this will be much cheaper, and the upgrade process will be almost as easy as with desktop systems (the only difference from a desktop computer is the difficulty of replacing the video subsystem). Moreover, the absence of heavy and rather massive batteries will reduce the weight and size of the new device, even compared to its mobile counterpart - a laptop. And given some poor battery designs, battery overheating issues, and even cases of laptops spontaneously burning, laptop buyers may well take battery-less laptops more than seriously.
As a rule, Desknote computers are supplied without a processor, hard drive and RAM (however, like desktop computers, there are also versions with installed components, that is, turnkey kits).
The processor used is standard. There are versions for Pentium III, Pentium 4, and Athlon. There are few slots for RAM (only one or two), but, unlike laptops, they are designed for standard “desktop” modules. Hard drives are usually small (2.5-inch) and their capacity on the market is limited to 15-40 GB.
The Taiwanese corporation Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) has been producing such batteryless laptops for a year now, and also offers solutions for the Intel Pentium 4 platform - Desknote i-Buddie 4. Several more Taiwanese companies, such as Mitac and Asustek, are also going to produce batteryless laptops based on processors Pentium 4. At the same time, ECS decided to go even further and release Desknote without a display, giving the user the opportunity to choose a monitor independently, guided by their needs and capabilities. Elitegroup's brainchild, the i-Buddie A980, resembles a thick laptop without a screen. In reality, the A980 is a portable desktop system, half made from “mobile” components and half from “desktop” components. The basis for building this system was a motherboard based on the SiS 651/962 chipset. The platform supports Pentium 4 desktop processors based on Willamette and Northwood cores and has an integrated SiS 315 video subsystem.
In its standard configuration, this “under-notebook” costs only $300 and weighs 1.8 kg - in the best traditions of laptops. However, if someone is not satisfied with the meager capabilities of the basic graphics, then they can separately purchase a video card based on the NVIDIA GeForce 4Go mobile chip! with 32 MB DDR memory. In general, there are ample opportunities for expanding this system: upgrading the processor, memory (one DIMM slot supporting up to one gigabyte of DDR 266/333 memory) and hard drive (2.5-inch models with capacities from 15 to 40 GB are supported). Optical drives can also be selected: DVD-ROM 8x or a DVD/CD-RW combo device with CD-R 24x write speed. Audio speakers are built into the system body. To connect external peripherals, there are four USB 2.0 ports, one IEEE-1394 port, an infrared port, a 10/100 Mbit/s network interface and a built-in 56 Kbit/s modem. Thus, the system has a full range of interface and telecommunication capabilities. The kit even includes a wireless radio mouse. Additionally, you can purchase external batteries and a floppy drive, and to complete the set, buy an external 15-inch LCD monitor or a 14-inch “laptop” panel.
A spoon of tar
history knows a lot of unsuccessful attempts, when brilliant developments and projects failed solely due to the fault of marketing - as a result of the wrongly chosen time of appearance and form of implementation.
MiTAC International has announced it will stop production of its mobile computers due to low demand for them. The batteryless MiNote 8500 was planned to be sold in quantities of up to 50 thousand units monthly, but it was never possible to reach this level.
Buyers from Europe and Japan especially did not like such portable PCs. It is noteworthy that representatives of Intel also actively opposed the use of desktop processor options in batteryless laptops. Indeed, despite the fact that laptops most of the time operate from a stationary power source (which was the reason for releasing a laptop without a battery), even in this case they have such an undeniable advantage as a “portable uninterruptible power supply”, which the buyer receives in the form of laptop power system with battery. Moreover, the duration of operation of such a source is several hours, while ordinary household UPS can power a computer system for no more than half an hour.
Most laptop manufacturers today enter the market with full-fledged, but inexpensive models. At the same time, the main manufacturers continue to defend the traditional concept that a laptop should be portable, and focus on its mobility and independence from power sources, even in a budget version. And if the price difference between portable batteryless models and full-fledged laptops becomes minimal, then buyers will naturally choose the latter. So the prospects of this branch in the evolution of computers still remain a big question...
Any rechargeable battery in a laptop breaks down over time. If you work with a laptop at home, you can turn it into a desktop computer. You can use this mode for a long time without damaging the device. The most important thing is to properly disconnect the battery, ensuring all storage conditions.
Laptop without battery: can it be used?
Today, laptops are equipped with lithium cells, which after 600-700 charging cycles greatly lose capacity (about 25%). With frequent use, they fail after a year. Also, lithium cells are very critical to overcharging and deep discharge. All this is correct, but why use a gadget without a battery?
Any gadget contains a power supply circuit from a battery or from an outlet, that is, there is a microcircuit on the board that controls the power supply.
If you connect the power supply to the device port and insert it into 220 Volts, the microcircuit switches the power supply from the outlet. In this case, if required, the lithium cells are recharged. The battery contains the same board called the BMS controller.
If the batteries are in the laptop and require recharging, the controller allows access to them for charging. In this case, the board controls the current strength, temperature increase, and voltage. When the parameters go beyond the possible maximum, the BMS turns off the battery. This prevents excessive heating and equipment failure.
The same thing happens during battery-powered operation of the gadget, that is, during discharge. The microcircuit monitors the voltage and turns off the device when it drops to critical levels. This prevents complete discharge and for this there is absolutely no need to use the laptop without a battery. All described actions are performed in normal mode, namely with the battery installed.
Reference! In addition, the power controller in the laptop itself switches to power supply mode from the outlet when the adapter is plugged into the network. If you disconnect the adapter, the controller will switch the device to battery power. That is, the battery in devices is the power source. So, during a power outage, you can continue to use your mobile computer on battery power. This is the main argument against using a gadget without batteries.
How to turn on a laptop without a battery
If you use a laptop at home, you can take it out to save the battery. Moreover, it is prohibited to store lithium cells when completely discharged: the charge must be at the level of 50%. That is, recharging is necessary 2-3 times every month.
You can use the gadget without the battery after it fails. To do this you will need:
- Completely disconnect the laptop.
- Turn the device over and open the battery compartment.
- Remove the autonomous power supply from the case.
- Close the compartment, then connect the power supply and power the gadget from the mains. Now it can be turned on and used for its intended purpose.
Features of using a laptop without a battery
Disconnecting the battery may occur for storage and does not allow the battery to retain its charge for a long time. The capacity decreases over time, although lithium cells fail much more slowly. As a rule, in 2 years it decreases to 15% of capacity. This can be prevented by regularly performing full charging and discharging. In this case, the battery will last longer.
Working with a device without a battery does not deprive you of any capabilities: you can watch movies, play games, run the required programs. If you take care of purchasing an uninterruptible power supply, you can ensure stable operation of your laptop.
How can you turn on a laptop without a battery?
Master's answer:
The battery is a rather vulnerable element of a laptop computer. In order to extend the battery life, it is recommended not to use this device unless absolutely necessary.
If you always use your laptop only at home, it is recommended to remove the battery. This action allows you to avoid wasting power resources. The whole point is that each battery is designed for a certain number of discharge and charge cycles. The more often you use the battery, the faster it will wear out.
Turn off your mobile computer. It is imperative to make sure that the operating system has completely completed its work. Some laptop models, after pressing the “Power” button, switch the OS to hibernation mode rather than turning it off.
Unplug the power cable from your mobile computer. Under no circumstances should you remove the battery while the laptop is plugged into a power outlet.
Turn your laptop over. Do not place the computer lid on a hard surface. Carefully study the type of battery mounting. Newer models generally use latches that can be easily pushed away with your fingers. Complete this action. Remove the battery from the case.
Compared to older laptops, the battery will most likely be located in a separate tray. To remove it you only need to unscrew a few screws.
Connect the power supply to your laptop, and then connect the adapter to the power supply. You should always perform this procedure in the specified sequence. This is especially important when working without a battery.
After all the steps have been completed, you can start using your PC. It should not be forgotten that the laptop battery acts as a voltage stabilizer. It is necessary to purchase an uninterruptible power supply. You must connect your laptop only through this equipment.
This method will prevent damage to laptop controllers during sudden voltage changes. In addition, if you suddenly have a power outage, you will be able to correctly shut down the operating system, as well as programs.
Probably, many people have encountered a situation where a laptop refused to work without a battery from a 220 V network. There may be several reasons for this. Let's look into this issue.
Contents
Should a laptop work without a mains battery?
Sometimes the question arises: is it possible to operate a laptop without a battery and whether it should work like that at all. In general, most models can easily and simply connect to the network with the battery removed. For this purpose, there is a controller on the motherboard that automatically switches power to the battery if it is not charged or directly to the laptop if the battery is charged to 100% or removed.
There are also some models that simply do not allow for operation without a battery. These are usually older models that are simply not designed for such actions. They use the battery as part of the circuit. That is, the idea is first powered to the battery, and then to the laptop, and if the battery is removed, the circuit will be open.
Separately, it should be noted that using a laptop without a battery only makes sense if the battery has failed. In order to save battery life, you should not remove it. The fact is that the controller on the motherboard independently copes with disconnecting the battery, and operation from an external power source does not affect the battery life in any way.
If you are working without a battery, it is better to use a UPS in case of a power surge or sudden power outage.
Causes and solutions to problems
Sometimes it happens that you need to connect your laptop to the network directly, without a battery, but this does not work. No food is supplied. There may be several reasons for such inappropriate behavior.
Operation from the network is not provided
First, make sure that your laptop allows such a connection. If you have a modern gadget, even one made in China, there should be no problems. But, just five years ago, many laptops did not support working directly from the network. A battery was required. Nowadays this is found only in the cheapest models or replicas.
But still, the first thing is to check whether the laptop can work without a battery.
Lack of electricity in the network
Another commonplace situation is that the outlet is simply de-energized. This really happens. In this case, naturally the laptop will not work. Just in case, check if there is current in the network.
- Plug in any known working device. If it works, then there is current.
- If there is no voltage, check the circuit breakers. Sometimes they are made for separate devices, perhaps this is your case.
If the fuse turns out to be on, but there is no current, you should call a specialist, but in the meantime, use another outlet.
The wire is worn out
Quite often the cause is the power supply wire. As a result of use and regular transportation, the cord may break. It is quite simple to identify such a problem; just move the wire; if this is the cause, there will be power in some positions. You can also check the wire with a multimeter. Typically, a break occurs in the following places.
- Broken at the base. Directly near the block, the cord is constantly subjected to various loads. As a result, it breaks quickly. To avoid this, you should carefully and carefully place the cord during use and transportation. If a breakdown has already occurred, you can try to restore the integrity of the product. If the break is not near the block itself, cut off the damaged section of the wire and wind up the remaining ones. If there is a break right next to the block, you will have to disassemble it and resolder the wire at the contacts.
- At the plug. Usually occurs after transportation with the charger connected. Due to incorrect placement, the conductor breaks. This can be solved either by replacing the damaged section of the wire, or by completely replacing the cord.
The power supply has fallen
A fairly common problem is that the power supply simply does not work. It can burn out quietly, or noticeably, with the release of smoke. In any case, the malfunction will prevent the device from working further. There is only one way to solve the problem - buying a new unit.
When choosing a new unit, pay attention to the connector and power. They must fit your laptop.
The connector on the charger or laptop is broken
Another common problem. If the gadget was used carelessly, transported with the cord connected, or lifted by the wire, there is a possibility of damage to the socket. The antennae that come into contact with the plug may be bent, or the contacts directly in the laptop itself may break off. There may be several reasons.
The problem can only be solved by replacing the socket. To do this, you will have to completely disassemble the device. If you are not confident in your skills, it is better to contact a service center for repairs. Any error during operation can lead to other breakdowns.
The controller on the motherboard is broken
As already mentioned, the corresponding controller is responsible for operation in the “without battery” mode. If a laptop does not turn on without a battery, the reason may be the motherboard. The microcircuit can start working if you change the corresponding capacitors and transistors.
It is very difficult to identify this reason on your own. It is also not possible to eliminate it at home. It is best to contact specialists who will restore the functionality of the controller.
Conclusion
Most modern laptops work without any problems without a battery. But sometimes difficulties arise. They may be due to a malfunction of the power supply, cable, or components of the laptop itself. Diagnosis and elimination of some of the causes can be done independently. If the problem is in the connector or motherboard, you will have to contact service for help.
Remained questions or have something supplement the article? Write about it in the comments. This will make the article more complete and useful.
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