Hello folks,
What do folks recommend as good practices to use a laptop as an always on, always plugged-in server? Specifically, how to manage the battery and some of the potential cautions/dangers of keeping it plugged in.
I have a spare Dell workstation laptop that I’d like to use as a Proxmox node. I’ve seen a number of posts where folks will mention that using a spare laptop works well because it has a built in ‘UPS’, but then in the comments there’s caution about the battery being plugged in all the time.
I’m curious what folks do in terms of battery management, assuming I want to keep this as hands-off/low maintenance (but fireproof) as possible.
Thank you all so much, ~M
Update: thank you all so much for the great advice. This is a Dell Workstation and it does have a ‘Primarily AC use’ power setting in the BIOS, as well as custom charge levels available. Appreciate it and I hope this discussion helps other folks looking to do the same!
Dell bios settings often include battery charge limit settings. I have mine set to a 70% limit which provides hours of backup with the display off.
Modern laptop batteries when kept cool and undamaged are extremely safe despite what you might read in these comments, especially when you limit the charge. Parking your car in your garage is hundreds of times more hazardous.