How long will my Digital Camera or Notebook Battery last ? No matter how well you treat the rechargeable battery, it's unlikely to last more than five years, and will probably give you really good service only for the first three.

As a rule of thumb, a NiMH or lithium ion rechargeable battery is good for about 500 cycles, meaning a full or nearly full discharge and then a full charge.

The temperature that the battery is exposed to should not exceed 45°C. The lower the temperature that the battery is stored, the better the battery's chance to deliver 500 cycles.

A half-discharge followed by a recharge counts as about half a cycle. In other words, if you plug and unplug, or dock and undock, your notebook 500 times in six months, the battery isn't going to need replacement.

Once they're charged, NiMH and lithium ion batteries don't lose too much of their power sitting in a desk drawer. But if your batteries are suffering from neglect, a couple of charge-discharge cycles may restore them partially. Turn off all power-saver options, then drain the battery.

Related: Ten Tips for a Better Notebook Battery Life

Graphic: Most Common Battery Types - know their characteristics

Rechargeable Battery Cycle Life Issues | Getting the most from your battery