That charging thing

[jrandallc]

Ok, I'm expecting my X3 in the mail any minute (or any day) now. I've got a question about the four hour waiting period. Can I plug it into a power source and use it while it is plugged in and charging for the four hours? Or is it hands-off until the initial charge is done?

This will be my first PDA to own, but I've handled a few others for my company that I have setup for others. On those, I started configuring them out of the box, with the device (ipaq's, in this case) plugged to an AC power source. I let it get a good charge before I turned it over to the end users.

I'm just curious about the reasons for this rule, and any ramifications for not following it. I'm the kind that if I don't understand the purpose for a rule, I usually won't follow it. If there are any dire results, then I would like to know beforehand.

Thanks.

[Smoggy]

I'm speculating here, but I think the "rule" comes from the science of rechargeable batteries. If you don't charge 'em properly the first time (or in the case of NiMH batteries, you don't let them discharge all the way before recharging) you can shorten the overall life of the battery. This is just my guess.

You could also do search on the web for lithium ion or lithium polymer batteries to find out more info. The fact this is for a PDA as opposed to a cell phone or notebook PC is irrelevant.

[AxeMan_3i]

Actually, it's a good idea to let it charge longer than 4 hours, preferably overnight. The X3/X3i has a rechargeable backup battery. If you charge it for just the 4 hours, you most likely will get a "Low Backup Battery" warning, which has caused no end of panic for new owners. If you charge it overnight, the BUB will get a full charge and you won't get that gosh-awful message. As for using it while it's cradled or charging, I don't see why you couldn't, just be sure to let it charge fully (incl. the BUB) before you start using it on battery power.

[RommelS]

You could also do search on the web for lithium ion or lithium polymer batteries to find out more info. The fact this is for a PDA as opposed to a cell phone or notebook PC is irrelevant.

Actually Lithium Ion and Polymer doesn't have the memory effect like its predecessor, the NiCD and NiMH.