iPod's dirty secret

[Sildantar]

I know what you're saying, eleet-2k2. I found it hard to believe to start with, as well.

Apparently, according to several reliable sources (including Apple, if I recall correctly, but don't quote me on that!) you shouldn't re-/discharge completely each time, but top off.

Personally, I've found no difference doing either, so it's a moot point. If, however, the re-/discharging causes the battery to die faster, i.e. decreases the battery life because it detracts from its total number of 'cycles', I can't comment - I've not had my battery die on me, yet.

However, if this person whose battery lasted only 18 months kept re-/discharging like you suggest, we may be able to speculate that re-/discharging is a bad thing to do to iPod batteries.

Again, I find it hard to believe, and I've also been 'brought up' to believe that a complete re-/discharge is adviseable, but this is what Apple says; it's their product, they should technically know best. *shrugs*

Hope this helps,
Sildantar