Computer Lithium Batteries: 9 Cell Vs. 6 Cell

Print this articleLithium batteries, such as Li-Ion and Li-Poly batteries, are essentially battery packs containing a number of individual battery cells. They also contain a smart controller that prevents complete discharge of these cells, which could permanently harm the battery. Most laptops accept several configurations of Lithium batteries, such as 6-cell and 9-cell variants. Which variant is right for you depends on your usage and preference.

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Each cell in a Lithium battery holds a similar charge, so a 9-cell battery offers at least 50 percent longer life than a 6-cell battery before needing to be recharged. The actual battery life depends on the power requirements of your laptop and how intensively you use the computer. Watching DVDs while powering peripheral devices would run the battery out much quicker than simply writing a text document or playing FreeCell.

Size

The battery size of a 9-cell battery is usually larger than that of a 6-cell battery, because it needs to house a higher volume of cells. If you travel extensively, you need to decide if the increased battery life is worth the extra bulk. However, not all 9-cell batteries are larger in size; some 9-cell batteries are visually indistinguishable in size from 6-cell batteries.

Weight

Although 9-cell batteries aren't always larger than 6-cell types, they will be heavier, because more chemicals are inside the battery to maintain its charge. If you carry your laptop everywhere you go, yet don't run it for long periods of time before recharging, the weight gain may be unacceptable. In such cases, a 6-cell battery might be just what you need.

Battery Longevity

Lithium batteries cannot be fully discharged through normal use, because the internal smart controller prevents complete discharge. However, the smart controller itself uses a small amount of charge to monitor the battery. When sitting for long periods of time, this protective feature will eventually kill the battery. The amount of reserve power maintained by the smart controller is larger in 9-cell batteries than in 6-cell batteries, so it takes longer for this protective feature to completely discharge and damage the battery. If your laptop sits unused for extended periods of time, the 9-cell battery offers a greater safety margin against full discharge of the Lithium battery.

ReferencesRoughly Drafted; Exploding Battery Panic; Daniel Eran; Aug 26, 2006Geek: Laptop BatteryBest Rated Laptops Guide: Types of Laptop Batteries RevealedDirect Laptops Guide: So What Kind of Dell Laptop Battery Do I Get?Read Next:

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