Batteries

Quick Tip: NiMH batteries

Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are rechargeable like the more common Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries, but have a much higher capacity. While NiCd batteries usually have between 500 and 800 mAh capacity, NiMHs have 1500 mAh or more. The palmtop therefore runs longer on a set of NiMHs. Also, NiMH batteries do not develop a “memory effect” from usage and therefore they can be topped off whenever convenient without any ill effects or shortened life.

On the other hand, the charging algorithm of the HP Palmtops is designed for NiCd batteries. The fast charge cycle stops after a certain amount of time which is not enough to fully charge NiMHs. You would need to charge in an external charger, or use our ABC/LX battery charging software (on the HP 100, 200, 700LX only) to monitor and optimize the charge cycle.

Rechargeable NiMH batteries

Our GreenCharge NiMH batteries have a capacity of 1500 mAh, which is about the highest capacity available on the market. They look like regular batteries and can be used in every device which works with AA cells.

The 1350 mAh cells have a slightly lower capacity, but also a much smaller self-discharge, which means that they will last longer than normal NiMHs because the batteries do not discharge on their own so quickly. These batteries can be charged inside the HP 100/200/700LX.

You need two cells for any of the HP palmtops.

CR-2032 backup battery

The backup battery is needed as power source to maintain the contents of the RAM disk (C: drive) when the main batteries are either removed or empty. All HP Palmtop PCs use a single CR-2032 coin cell as backup battery. The backup battery should be replaced every 8 to 12 months.