This tip involves notebook users who may or may not be using a port replicator with their notebook.

When a notebook is plugged into the AC adapter, it shouldn’t cause any problems with over-charging the battery, but there are some battery maintenance habits that should be performed. Notebook batteries need to be run down from time to time to keep them in top shape.

The type of battery in notebooks needs to learn how to hold a charge by being run low and then charged-up again to full capacity. If the battery is not allowed to discharge itself on a regular basis, it can forget how to hold a charge and not be very useful when it is actually needed.

A good habit is to remove the battery when you know you will have the notebook plugged into the AC adapter for 4 hours or more. It is also a good idea to let the notebook run on battery power from time to time so it can properly discharge itself.

It may be a good idea to perform the habit of allowing the battery to run down and then be charged back up once a month.