After years of using desktops, I've recently started using a laptop. I have a question about laptop battery longevity. To keep the battery running at peak efficiency, is it better to: 1) Keep it plugged into a power source while using it, thereby keeping it at full charge? or... 2) To use the laptop while it is unplugged, thereby causing it to cycle down, then recharge it? Which is better for the battery life over the years? Thanks.
To prolong your laptop batteries, you shouldn't plugin power source while the batteries is still on. That's why many display laptop at the Computer shop has been taken off their batteries while running on direct power source.
That's indeed traditional wisdom, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Even with serious abuse, a good battery should not significantly deteriorate in under 2 years.
But one of my Compaq laptop batteries is already died yesterday... It's only 6 month old (Lithium-Ion).
If it's a modern laptop then you should look into underclocking the CPU and graphics card. Means it produces less heat so less power wasted, and with the fan on less often it is quiet.