A battery-powered meter adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid sample, the meter comprising: a housing defining an area for receiving a rechargeable battery and a port sized for receiving at least a portion of a test sensor; battery charger component configured to execute a rapid charge algorithm for the rechargeable battery, said algorithm comprising: (i) monitoring for aconnection to an external power source; and (ii) if said external power source is detected, implementing a charge routine for the rapid charging of said rechargeable battery; and a microprocessor disposed within said housing, said microprocessor configured to implement a charge process associated with said rechargeable battery, said charge process comprising the acts of: (i) monitoring said rechargeable battery for a remaining battery charge; (ii) implementing a high charge rate to charge the rechargeable battery for one minute or less at a high charge rate, the high charge rate being greater than a second charge rate, and (iii) implementing a second charge routine following said high charge rate, the second charge routine charging said rechargeable battery at the second charge rate, wherein the second charge rate is less than 1C, wherein a determination of analyte concentration by said meter has an approximated energy draw, said implementation of said high charging rate providing energy to said rechargeable battery to allow one or more analyte concentration determinations to be completed based on said approximated energy draw, and wherein said high charging rate causes a negligible temperature rise in said rechargeable battery, thereby limiting temperature effects in determining fluid analyte concentrations. a housing defining an area for receiving a rechargeable battery and a port sized for receiving at least a portion of a test sensor; battery charger component configured to execute a rapid charge algorithm for the rechargeable battery, said algorithm comprising: (i) monitoring for aconnection to an external power source; and (ii) if said external power source is detected, implementing a charge routine for the rapid charging of said rechargeable battery; and (i) monitoring for aconnection to an external power source; and (ii) if said external power source is detected, implementing a charge routine for the rapid charging of said rechargeable battery; and a microprocessor disposed within said housing, said microprocessor configured to implement a charge process associated with said rechargeable battery, said charge process comprising the acts of: (i) monitoring said rechargeable battery for a remaining battery charge; (ii) implementing a high charge rate to charge the rechargeable battery for one minute or less at a high charge rate, the high charge rate being greater than a second charge rate, and (iii) implementing a second charge routine following said high charge rate, the second charge routine charging said rechargeable battery at the second charge rate, wherein the second charge rate is less than 1C, (i) monitoring said rechargeable battery for a remaining battery charge; (ii) implementing a high charge rate to charge the rechargeable battery for one minute or less at a high charge rate, the high charge rate being greater than a second charge rate, and (iii) implementing a second charge routine following said high charge rate, the second charge routine charging said rechargeable battery at the second charge rate, wherein the second charge rate is less than 1C, wherein a determination of analyte concentration by said meter has an approximated energy draw, said implementation of said high charging rate providing energy to said rechargeable battery to allow one or more analyte concentration determinations to be completed based on said approximated energy draw, and wherein said high charging rate causes a negligible temperature rise in said rechargeable battery, thereby limiting temperature effects in determining fluid analyte concentrations.