[LUG] Laptops - and the battery

[Neil Winchurst <barnaby@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have used computers for many years, almost always with desktops. A 
while ago I was given an old laptop as a gift, so it was my first 
practice with them. (I use my laptop as a standby machine, and it 
normally stays in one place. It certainly never leaves the house.)
As the machine was already several years old the battery was pretty 
useless, so I always had the machine running from the mains. Recently it 
(the laptop) died on me and I have now replaced it with a brand new one.
Now there is also a brand new battery and I have been researching how to 
look after it best, with conflicting results. So, can anyone on the list 
advise me please? Would it cause any problems to run this new laptop 
always from the mains? This would mean that the battery was always on 
charge and always fully charged up, but never really being used. Is that 
a bad idea?
Perhaps it would be better to run from the battery and to recharge as 
necessary. Anyone have any recommendations please?
Thanks

Neil

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