Help Me Choose: Battery


Inspiron 15 NotebooksWhen it comes to batteries, more cells usually mean more battery power. If you aren't sure how much battery life you need, it's better to choose a battery with more cells now than to have your laptop run out of power when you need it most.



Battery life depends on how you use your laptop, so ask yourself these questions as you look over the table below:
  • Will my laptop be plugged in or unplugged most of the time?
  • Do size and weight matter when I travel?
4-Cell Battery 6-Cell Battery 9-Cell Battery
4 Cell Battery 

6 Cell Battery

9 Cell Battery
Benefits:
Economical and lightweight
Benefits:
A good balance of battery life and size, at a moderate price
Benefits:
Longest power and battery life
Best with:
Laptops that will be plugged in most of the time
Best with:
Laptops that will be plugged in some of the time, but will be used unplugged more often
Best with:
Laptops that will be used unplugged for extended periods of time
 Optimized for:
  • Battery power for short durations
  • Browsing the Web
  • Social networking
  • Email
  • Office applications
Optimized for:
  • Everything a 4-cell battery is optimized for, plus
  • Listening to music and sharing photos 
  • Longer use between battery charges

 

Optimized for:
  • Everything a 6-cell battery is optimized for, plus 
  • High-performance office applications  
  • Gaming
  • Graphics
  • Watching movies on DVD or Blu-ray Disc™
Inspiron 14z Notebook Inspiron 14z Notebook Inspiron 14z Notebook
Form factor: 4-cell batteries will lay flat.Form factor: Most standard 6-cell batteries (such as on the Inspiron™ 15R) will lay flat. On the Inspiron 13z and 14z, the 6-cell is the extended-life battery option, and extends below the system slightly, similar to the 9-cell shape in the photo to the right.

Form factor: 9-cell batteries will change the form factor of the computer. The battery extends below or out of the back of the laptop because it needs to be larger to help keep you going.
Overview
Product nameBattery type Life span
 Netbook Mini 1018 6-cell lithium-ion battery (28 WHr) Up to 7 hours and 18 minutes*
 Inspiron 14R 6-cell lithium-ion battery (48 WHr) Up to 5 hours and 15 minutes*
 9-cell lithium-ion battery (90 WHr) Up to 10 hours and 24 minutes*
 Inspiron 15R 6-cell lithium-ion battery (48 WHr) Up to 4 hours and 2 minutes*
 9-cell lithium-ion battery (90 WHr) Up to 7 hours and 58 minutes*
 Inspiron 17R 6-cell lithium-ion battery (48 WHr) Up to 3 hours and 37 minutes*
 9-cell lithium-ion battery (90 WHr) Up to 7 hours and 20 minutes*
 Inspiron M501R 6-cell lithium-ion battery (48 WHr) Up to 3 hours and 29 minutes*
 Inspiron 15 6-cell lithium-ion battery Up to 4 hours and 34 minutes*
 Inspiron M102z 6-cell lithium-ion battery Up to 9 hours*
 9-cell lithium-ion battery (90 WHr) Up to 13 hours and 57 minutes*
 Inspiron 13z (N311z) 4-cell lithium-ion batteryUp to 6 hours and 28 minutes* 
  6-cell lithium-ion battery Up to 10 hours and 24 minutes* 
 Inspiron 14z (N411z)  4-cell lithium-ion battery 5 hours and 48 minutes* 
  6-cell lithium-ion battery 8 hours and 57 minutes* 
 New Inspiron 14R (with 2nd Gen and SWITCH lids) 6-cell lithium-ion battery (48 WHr)Up to 5 hours and 32 minutes*
 9-cell lithium-ion battery (90 WHr) Up to 11 hours and 6 minutes*
 New Inspiron 15R (with 2nd Gen and SWITCH lids) 6-cell lithium-ion battery (48 WHr) Up to 7 hours and 26 minutes*
 9-cell lithium-ion battery (90 WHr)Up to 13 hours and 24 minutes*
 New Inspiron 17R (with 2nd Gen and SWITCH lids) 6-cell lithium-ion battery (48 WHr) Up to 5 hours and 25 minutes*
 9-cell lithium-ion battery (90 WHr) Up to 10 hours and 12 minutes*
 Inspiron 15 (M5040) 6-cell lithium-ion battery6 hours and 20 minutes* 
 6-cell lithium-ion battery5 hours and 49 minutes* 
 Inspiron 14 (M4040) 6-cell lithium-ion battery5 hours and 40 minutes* 
 6-cell lithium-ion battery5 hours and 44 minutes* 
 Inspiron 14 (N4050) 6-cell lithium-ion battery6 hours and 2 minutes* 
  6-cell lithium-ion battery 6 hours and 22 minutes* 
 6-cell lithium-ion battery6 hours and 36 minutes* 
 Inspiron 15 (N5040) 6-cell lithium-ion battery4 hours and 3 minutes* 
 6-cell lithium-ion battery 5 hours and 2 minutes* 
 6-cell lithium-ion battery5 hours and 8 minutes* 
Compare Battery Life
Your computer is an investment and a home to your important data. A surge protector can help protect your computer's hardware against damage from hazards, such as lightning, power surges and changes in voltage. Adding a surge protector can also help reduce clutter and simplify your workspace by enabling you to power all your electronics from one convenient location.
 Belkin Home Surge Protector

Important things to consider when purchasing a surge protector:

  • Joule ratings measure a surge protector's ability to absorb surges. Choose a surge protector with high joule ratings. More joules mean more protection.
  • Line noise filtering can improve the audio and video performance of your computer by removing distortion on the AC and signal lines. Not all surge protectors include this feature.
  • Number of outlets is also important so you have room to plug in all your valuable electronics. 
Power Protection
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