Top 15 Ways to Extend Your Laptop’s Battery Life

Top 15 Ways to Extend Your Laptop’s Battery Life

Laptops tend to lose their charm quickly when you’re constantly looking for the nearest power outlet to charge up. How do you keep your battery going for as long as possible? Here are 15 easy ways to do so.
1. Defrag regularly - The faster your hard drive does its work - less demand you are going to put on the hard drive and your battery. Make your hard drive as efficient as possible by defragging it regularly. (but not while it’s on battery of course!) Mac OSX is better built to handle fragmentation so it may not be very applicable for Apple systems.
2. Dim your screen - Most laptops come with the ability to dim your laptop screen. Some even come with ways to modify CPU and cooling performance. Cut them down to the lowest level you can tolerate to squeeze out some extra battery juice.
3. Cut down on programs running in the background. Itunes, Desktop Search, etc. All these add to the CPU load and cut down battery life. Shut down everything that isn’t crucial when you’re on battery.
4. Cut down external devices - USB devices (including your mouse) & WiFi drain down your laptop battery. Remove or shut them down when not in use. It goes without saying that charging other devices (like your iPod) with your laptop when on battery is a surefire way of quickly wiping out the charge on your laptop battery.
5. Add more RAM - This will allow you to process more with the memory your laptop has, rather than relying on virtual memory. Virtual memory results in hard drive use, and is much less power efficient. Note that adding more RAM will consume more energy, so this is most applicable if you do need to run memory intensive programs which actually require heavy usage of virtual memory.

6. Run off a hard drive rather than CD/DVD - As power consuming as hard drives are, CD and DVD drives are worse. Even having one in the drive can be power consuming. They spin, taking power, even when they?re not actively being used. Wherever possible, try to run on virtual drives using programs like Alcohol 120% rather than optical ones.
7. Keep the battery contacts clean: Clean your battery’s metal contacts every couple of months with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol. This keeps the transfer of power from your battery more efficient.
8. Take care of your battery - Exercise the Battery. Do not leave a charged battery dormant for long periods of time. Once charged, you should at least use the battery at least once every two to three weeks. Also, do not let a Li-On battery completely discharge. (Discharing is only for older batteries with memory effects)
9. Hibernate not standby - Although placing a laptop in standby mode saves some power and you can instantly resume where you left off, it doesn’t save anywhere as much power as the hibernate function does. Hibernating a PC will actually save your PC’s state as it is, and completely shut itself down.
10. Keep operating temperature down - Your laptop operates more efficiently when it’s cooler. Clean out your air vents with a cloth or keyboard cleaner, or refer to some extra tips by LapTopMag.com.
11. Set up and optimize your power options - Go to ‘Power Options’ in your windows control panel and set it up so that power usage is optimized (Select the ‘max battery’ for maximum effect).
12. Don’t multitask - Do one thing at a time when you’re on battery. Rather than working on a spreadsheet, letting your email client run in the background and listening to your latest set of MP3’s, set your mind to one thing only. If you don’t you’ll only drain out your batteries before anything gets completed!
13. Go easy on the PC demands - The more you demand from your PC. Passive activities like email and word processing consume much less power than gaming or playing a DVD. If you’ve got a single battery charge - pick your priorities wisely.
14. Get yourself a more efficient laptop - Laptops are getting more and more efficient in nature to the point where some manufacturers are talking about all day long batteries. Picking up a newer more efficient laptop to replace an aging one is usually a quick fix.
15. Prevent the Memory Effect - If you’re using a very old laptop, you’ll want to prevent the ‘memory effect’ - Keep the battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries (which most laptops have) which do not suffer from the memory effect.
Bonus Tip #1: Turn off the autosave function. MS-Word’s and Excel’s autosave functions are great but because they keep saving regular intervals, they work your hard driver harder than it may have to. If you plan to do this, you may want to turn it back on as the battery runs low. While it saves battery life in the beginning, you will want to make sure your work is saved when your battery dies.
Bonus Tip #2: Lower the graphics use. You can do this by changing the screen resolution and shutting off fancy graphic drivers. Graphics cards (video cards) use as much or more power today as hard disks - Thanks Andrew
Update 7/7/07: Bonus Tip #1 to give caution about turning off autosave, tip #8 to change information about discharging batteries - thanks to all who pointed it out. Added Bonus tip #2, Tip #1 to add in clause in regards to Mac OSX, Tip #1 about the spinning of hard drives - thanks to all who pointed it out
http://www.friedbeef.com/top-15-ways-to-extend-your-laptop-battery-life

My new SONY Clie PEG UX50

UX50 also presage the advent of Pocket PC has a brilliant future. Let us briefly recall again impressed people UX50 technical indicators:

Self-developed CPU "Handheld EngineTM", model CXD2230GA. It uses ARM926 host processor architecture, high-capacity broadband DRAM, and built-in digital signal processor DSP, the hardware accelerator (including 2D graphics engine), so you can realize smooth player animations, three-dimensional images depicting high-level AV features.

Equipped with wireless LAN and Bluetooth (R) function. Do not need to install LAN network card and adapter can be easily connected to the network, but can also support Bluetooth (R) machine wireless exchange or share data.
Built-in memory worthy of discussion. It has 40m ram, and 64m flash rom. And 64m flash rom Lane, 16m allows the user to store the backup files and procedures, 29m only be used for storage of media files (such as music, images, etc..), The rest of 19m may be used for storing operating system files. This is said to be 29M ROM of SONY PALM OS in order to break the restrictions specifically designed. we all know, PALM OS can not be stored in memory are PRC, PDA other than the document format, a lot of MP3, JPEG picture only put memory card can be used. But now we can put In this 29M-ri, and can also be used DATA IMPORT the WORD, EXCLE documents and so on in a bag. think of it as a small mobile hard disk to use for many. 64m flash rom even when batteries run out, hard to start and so will not lose information. UX50 so special to add a backup feature. Important files can be backed up to 16M ROM Village.

There are 3.2-inch widescreen high-definition lateral color LCD (480 × 320 dot matrix). Supporting 65,536 colors. Can enjoy more excellent images.
In addition, with approximately 310,000 pixels CMOS, can rotate the lens of a digital camera, which the machine size compact and specifications for the width 103 × high 86.5 × deep 17.9mm.

Technical parameters
Operating System: PALM OS 5.2
Processor: Sony Handheld EngineTM 123MHz
Memory: 40m ram, and 64m flash rom
Display Type: 480 x 320 full-color TFT LCD touch screen, Support 65536 color display
Color and resolution: 480 x 320 color display supports 65,536
Expansion slots: SONY Memory skick slot (support blanca, white card, MS RPO, MS DUO Memory Stick, etc.)
Communication Interface: Built-infrared port, Bluetooth, wireless LAN
Multimedia configuration: Music playback: Support MP3 and ATRAC3 audio formats: Support ARTAC3, MP3, ADPCM format recording features such as built-in speaker
Others: built-in 310,000 pixel CMOS camera. The greatest resolution of 640 x480 pixels, support JPEG format photos and MPEG-4 format short
Battery type: rechargeable Li-Poly battery
Size: 103 x 86.5 x 17.9mm
Weight: 175g

Sony VAIO PCG-GRX81G battery

Three elements of notebook purchase

Notebook the most important principle is that the quality of procurement. For any one of product quality are the product life, performance for notebook computers to accessories such as switches and even the protection of minor places, between the different brands that there is a considerable gap. Can be used to measure the quality of the user to listen to the views of the Ways. Sony PCG-7XX battery

Cost performance is the second important. Say here I mean not only is the performance of laptop configurations, including pre-sale, sale, the after-sales service costs, users not only in the choice of immediate importance. In the same price, considering the difference between the performance of configuration; in the same performance, consider the optimal price maintenance are also important factors. Service maintenance is an important component of the notebook computer as a result of high technological content and are not compatible between manufacturers, so the after-sale service is very important. Relatively high market share of notebook vendors in the maintenance system and maintenance in all aspects of network construction has taught well. User only to find good service providers, buying real at ease, peace of mind used.

The choice of a good supplier is very important. Best supplier is equivalent to good products, reasonable prices and comprehensive after-sales service. Instead, it means that the user's investment may be empty, if the user choice through non-legitimate channels for the parallel that even the court can not find the defendant.

Do not allow users to query buy the application to take into account the special nature of their own is also very important. The most practical is the best, over-the pursuit of grades or prices are one-sided.

Prompts you one thing: try to avoid in order to achieve buy parallel to the designated agent vendors go buy is a relatively safe choice (agent information you can query the official website or call the hotline informed). What is it licensed? Licensed manufacturers is to be recognized by a merchant to obtain the right agent or directly from the manufacturers in a particular branch of the areas designated product, as licensed agents, and its subsidiaries required to allow access to a reasonable profit, and must be paid in line with the request of the Government in the area of tariffs and taxes, so the price of mainstream products are often relatively high, but because the official local agent manufacturers, products are often more secure after-sales service, product original driver specification and operating systems often and sales areas will be the same language.

After-sales service, which is one of the most critical issues, the maintenance of parallel imports in the mainland is of course through international approach to the achievement of UNPROFOR. However, the various vendors in order to crack down on parallel imports, not to the lack of legal procedures by parallel models UNPROFOR to provide international services (except for some individual firms). JS so many are themselves a guarantee of technical strength for the weak JS days simply Arabian Nights, which will no doubt buy the future maintenance of those enormous trouble.

Using reporting about IBM ThinkPad X20 notebook

Using reporting about IBM ThinkPad X20 notebook

Although the price of notebook computers than desktop computers or high, but because of the price of portable computers in recent years has been declining for most consumers, the laptop computer has not the past as a remote. However, phrase or saying: "a penny a cargo." In the market, many low-cost portable computer is either poor quality insufficiency and in the end, you still have to pay for such a considerable number of cash. In addition, we buy laptop computers when the need to function and size of these two to find an equilibrium point. Function you want is strong in some of them came up dry when traveling light outside it? Taking into account your budget and what you need after, I believe you will find you need a hand, I do not know that you would like to buy a desktop computer performance can be compared to it and "bricks and mortar" as heavy mobile, or you want a lightweight portable but performance is not worth mentioning it portable.

But one thing really, the choice of what kind of portable computers, the brand of choice for many people is no doubt that IBM has. IBM's ThinkPad series notebook computers with excellent performance and reliable quality, is that many portable computer users to buy the first choice. Today let us take a look at IBM's ThinkPad X20 notebook computers, portable machine that can be said to be set and excellent performance in a lightweight portable, so that our consumers really "fish and bear's paw" a combination of both.

Product specifications

CPU: Pentium III 600 Memory: 128MB SDRAM Graphics cards: ATI Rage Mobility-M AGP Display: 12.1 "Active Matrix LCD (TFT) 1024 x 768 (XGA) Hard Disk: 20G Operating System: Microsoft Windows 2000 Built-in Modem: Lucent 56Kbps WinModem Audio: Crystal SoundFusion CS4281 Sustainable power supply battery time: 3.8 hours Mouse: keyboard trackball Thickness: 1.2 inches Length: 11 inches Width: 8.9 inches Weight: 3.5 lbs

Weight and size:

On mobile computers, ThinkPad very compact design. Take a look at a picture below, you will probably have an overall concept. Its thickness and 4 MaximumPC after another to the same magazine. When you want it in the hands of time, you can obviously feel the lightweight portability of the. Single-hand do not think it is a heavy, if you put it a long time to work on the thighs, thigh and will not numb, that is good.

The whole process of opening notebook dell 6000

the whole process of opening notebook dell 6000

I experienced the demolition of the helpless is a real choice, only because of the recent books suddenly found the time to start a big abnormal fan noise, and to a point where the intolerable. Thought it was too much dust inside the fan, so decided to split the cleaning. Since the determination, then is the need for practice, and began to search for information online, after all, "Stones from other hills may serve to polish jade". After learning the day after, with the demolition of the anxious feelings of the.
Before and after the total demolition of a three-back, alas! The first time just after the break clean on the matter, and the second time because the effect is not very good, gave fans a point of oil injection, the third time it is installed because the last time not an excuse for a touch screen connected too

Finally a few experiences that

1,
The first is for the demolition of the ideological importance of this must be, do not have the fear of difficulty of the demolition of this emotional, in fact, like the demolition of demolition of the desktop, like the simple, the difference is removed when the book should not split the desktop as freely as

2,
In the demolition of the former should be well down the steps to learn and experience through networks, of course, for example dell computer user's manual to get down Oh. Above for the demolition of some simple or have a very detailed introduction.

3,
In the demolition, the installation process must be careful, to unload the parts and screws to neat and orderly place, or maybe you found this installed a few screws, or find out what the hardware can not be used, and LOL

dell 500m is not charging, charging lights flash occasionally but the problem remains! ~

dell 500m is not charging, charging lights flash occasionally but the problem remains! ~

Customer Carry-dell500m machine has just sent over the problem is no response adapter plug does not boot, boot with the battery, but the battery can only hold to the xp screen appears, inspection is to protect the isolation circuit, resolved Charging that there is no problem. Rechargeable chip is max1645. A friend of mine said to be io the problem, but also a friend said that the issue of cold solder joint. Do not change due to io, so seek help from their instructors to see what ideas. Rechargeable lights are not bright, but sometimes there will be flashing red lights looked charging, the green light flash

DELL Latitude D500 laptop

DELL Latitude D500 laptop

Product Features

Thin models, the lightest 2.17 kilograms, the thinnest 31.7 millimeters

Microsoft ® Windows ® 2000 SP4 or Microsoft ® Windows ® XP Professional Edition SP1 or Microsoft ® Windows ® XP Home Edition SP1

Intel ® Pentium ® M processor, the maximum 1.4GHz

Intel ® Centrino TM mobile technology

Intel ® 855GM UMA, with 64MB DDR video memory (shared)

XGA technology used bright LCD

All communications standard configuration, including 56Kbps V.92 modem and 10/100 Ethernet LAN

Dell's Tri-MetalTM shell

D-family commonality. D500 share the same D / Ports, D-Series modular bracket and a / c adapter.