Conserving Battery Life

Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:00PM EDT

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If you're traveling and using your battery extensively, make sure your power saving options on your laptop are set appropriately. The basic idea is for the computer to shut itself down, incrementally, if it detects that you've stopped using it.

When running on AC current, these settings don't matter much, but when you're sitting on a five hour flight, trying desperately to maximize battery time, saving power is critical. Under Windows, you can manage these settings using the Power Schemes page of the Control Panel's Power Options applet. You can turn off the monitor or hard drive, and put your laptop into various states of conservation according to your specification.

Choosing the best mode: Most laptops have two shutdown modes to conserve batteries while still enabling fast resumption of normal operation: The first is standby mode which powers down your hard drive. Standby mode is meant to be used when you're leaving your computer, but only for a short period of time. When you power up again the laptop quickly resumes from where you left off. Because standby does not save your desktop state to disk, a power failure while on standby can cause you to lose unsaved information. Standby mode is great for when your airline meal arrives and you want a 15 minute of break; it's not good to leave it on for hours at a time.

Hibernation mode, on the other hand, is when the computer saves its state on the hard disk and then shuts down. A computer can't resume operation after hibernation as fast as it can after standby, but it's not consuming any power during hibernation. If you're not going to use the computer for a while choose hibernate.

Windows tip: You can choose power options using the Control Panel's Power Options applet. But to choose an option on-the-fly, simply choose 'Turn off the computer' on the start menu. You normally get 3 options: Standby, Turn Off, and Restart. To get the hibernate option simply hold down the Shift key. (If hibernate doesn't appear, you may have to enable hibernation using the Power Options applet's Hibernation page.)

Also, many laptops ship with customized power applets from the manufacturer, which sometimes give you more control.

Proper Disposal: Before discarding that ancient laptop, remove its battery and dispose it properly. Do not put the battery into regular trash collections as it contains hazardous materials. For a drop-off site near you, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) has a search page:

Lots of major retailers like Staples, Home Depot, and Radio Shack participate, so it's not hard to do the right thing for the environment.

Smart Links for more battery advice:

TechRepublic

Batteries in a Portable World

 

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Comments on Conserving Battery Life

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  • 66 Posted by dbarry98 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've found I can get 20-40% more battery time by 1) reducing the brightness of the laptop monitor and 2) turning off the wireless radio. Happy traveling. ;)

  • 67 Posted by theotherm2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    The most important thing: disable your wifi connections.

  • 68 Posted by rjl2621 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    If you are taking a long car trip or a longer airline flight, those settings are not even going to help. To those who have posted about going on more than 4 hour trips, you either need a second battery or you need to purchase an AC Power converter. These come with both CAR and PLANE adapters to plug into the car lighter or the in-chair power jacks on most commercial airlines. Then you plug your normal AC adapter for the laptop into the outlet on the adapter, and you're powered up as if sitting at home or your dorm room. The simple fact is, the above article (AND COMMENTS) will only help you if you are only going to be away from AC power for a short time. Also - to those who suggested dimming screen, that works if you aren't OUTSIDE with bright surroundings. If you are, you need the screen at the max brightness to even see the screen. Think before you suggest.

  • 69 Posted by genie_williford on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thanks to the those who posted helpful advise beyond the simple basics explained in the article...and you did it for no monetary compensation (and probably at some cost to you - battery life, your time, etc). I tried to check out Robin's Bio to learn more about her, but it's just more "witty" comments, and references to her having been "in the industry" long enough to remember the typewriter, so I'm not impressed, and in fact, am disappointed that Yahoo isn't doing better to serve the majority of it's customers who are looking for, as they used to say in the t.v. news industry, IN-DEPTH reporting.

  • 70 Posted by hwoalang on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    want to save battery??? lower every settings plus disable unuse adapter !! so simple but hard for beginners~ lol ~ -Geek Sqaud-

  • 71 Posted by nutan_pc on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    Utter waste of time and resource.

  • 72 Posted by victor_venadero on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    I should have read the "Who are the hottest billionaire Heiresses?" Article instead. To all of those who own a laptop, there are two ways to know all these "tips", first: Read the Manual, I'm sure every laptop comes with one... but ok I admit, we men never actually NEED to read the manual, we know it all... just kidding. Secondly, you can find these and a lot more features from any computer by just playing with it for a few minutes a day. Lastly, I think the article was ok, I actually spent more time reading at all the comments people made. Have a good day All.

  • 73 Posted by dadcpe@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree with the General. I thought the article was going to be about exactly the hints he mentioned, and not about how to turn off the computer. So I know that real saving techniques can be done, just don't know how. Perhaps an article in the future detailing the real saving techniques can be forthcoming. Keep trying.

  • 74 Posted by basketball_bomb15 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    What a day to put this in the news. I have a flight to Los Angles to from New York and Im taking my laptop.This is great that I found this. I am a computer wiz and i sujest that you use the article if you are planning on using your laptop on a trip.

  • 75 Posted by xcaldwell on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    This information is way too basic. One tip left out...Turn off your Wi-Fi connection if you are not accessing it (most newer computers incorporate this into one-push button).

  • 76 Posted by genie_williford on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    Perhaps when they put this article in the archives they'll rename it "BASIC ENERGY SAVING TIPS FOR LAPTOP USERS" so readers will know what they are getting. Journalism 101... create a title that accurately depicts the nature of your subject, and the content of your article.

  • 77 Posted by vferrinimd on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yes, this was a fairly worthless article and a waste of time; I found the comments section was much more useful.

  • 78 Posted by weizor on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is pathetic. Was this article written for two year olds?

  • 80 Posted by ralsoufi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    To be honest, these are not helpful at all. The crucial issue is to disconnect the bluetooth and wireless devices. Above all, you better press ctrl,alt and del. Then from the pop window click view,click update speed and then choose low. Thats what help really. Please try it and tell your findings.

  • 81 Posted by pmblj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    This article was helpful to me. It made me really glad I have an apple ibook that does everything automatically and I don't even have to do any of those steps.

  • 82 Posted by jsweat1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I know that some of you guys think you are so wonderful on the computers but you need to understand that articles such as this one are not meant for you guys, they are meant for those people that don't know. Most people what prefer not to explore their new equiptment, that's okay because there are always those of us willing to tell them. It was nice of you all to share your knowledge, however the way you went about it shows that you are still in the show and brag stage of your child hood, grow up. All in all this was a nice article and hopefully it enlightened the people it was intended for. :) Have a good day all!

  • 83 Posted by mauuisings on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am new to using a laptop(got it 2 days ago) and don't know the basic functions yet, so the article helped me. And thanks to the people who posted advanced options for power savings tips.

  • 84 Posted by jacobslat77_99 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    here's a quick tip - if you're using windows, choose your desktop display settings to use lots of black. Change your desktop color to black and select none instead of a wallpaper - I know it will look "boring" or "plain" but it will make a difference as far as battery life.

  • 85 Posted by captain_ahab_ on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    I travel a lot and do my research in power management for portable electronics. This is for battery management on planes. 1) Most important tip unmentioned is to disable your wireless network, unless of course you're using it. On most planes you can't use wireless, but some international flights allow it (Korean Air for example). 2) Many airplanes have a power socket under the seat. All do in first class, but in coach they are sparse. However, for $40-$60 you can get a converter to run you computer off airplane power, and then you'll have full power and a fresh battery when you step off. 3) Just get a spare battery. A 5-hour flight has about 4 hours of useful time for computing, which is covered by two batteries. I personally hate dimming the screen and the frequent interruptions of hibernate or sleep mode - very annoying when you're reading an article or discussing with your neighbor. 4) Sign up for the Admiral's or other airline club. During layovers you can charge your battery. These cost $350 or so a year, but if your work is that important then it is worth it. 5) You can also buy an "extra big" battery, though they're a bit awkward and don't fit a docking station.

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