Extending the Run Time of Your Laptop’s Battery Life
I love my laptop computer. I take it with me everywhere. Sure I can do most of the things I do on my laptop on my cel phone, but my cel phone screen does not give me the visual impact that my laptop does. I want to see the full screen. The only real problem I have is that my laptop battery runs out fairy quickly, and I am not the only one who complains about this problem.
Statistics say that the current average battery life for a rechargeable laptop battery life is 78 minutes. So after an hour, you need to start hunting for an outlet or you need to shut things down. This can be inconvenient to say the least. An hour is not very much time at all.
That 78 minutes is an average and can either be extended or shortened depending on what you are doing with your computer. If you are playing games, or watching a DVD or streaming video, you will use up more battery than if you are simply checking email. With that in mind, there are a few things you can do to extend the length of time you go between charges.
First, you can adjust your brightness. The brighter your display, the more battery power you are using. This is obviously a trade-off. If you make your display dimmer you may miss some details. And if you are working outdoors, you will need to have a bright display to compensate for the ambient light your screen is competing with. Having said that it bears repeating, the dimmer your display, the less battery you eat up. Limiting your use of graphics and lowering your screen resolution will also eat less battery.
External devices are another huge drain on battery power. Use your touchpad instead of a USB mouse. Any peripheral device will drain your battery power and it is never a good idea to charge your devices through your laptop when your laptop is on battery power.
Another thing to keep in mind is that multi-tasking uses more battery power than simply doing one thing at a time. Background programs also eat up battery power, so you should shut down anything that may be active in the background.
As previously mentioned, simple programs such as email and word processing or spreadsheet programs are better to use when you are trying to conserve battery than gaming. If you are using a program that has auto-save enabled, you should turn this off. Just remember to save your work occasionally, especially as you get closer to running out of battery.
Newer computers often allow you to maximize your battery life. This is usually found in the control panel, or equivalent area. Also, you should switch from standby to hibernate as a way to conserve battery life.
Finally, if none of these things results in any real gain, or if you simply cannot stand it any longer, it may be time to consider a new laptop. Longer battery life is one of the key selling points today and some laptops promise as much as seven hours of cord-free time.
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Laptops For Seniors For DummiesNow's the time! Learn to pick a laptop, use Windows, and take advantage of the Internet
Tired of wondering what all the fuss is about? This book is written for people like you, who may not know much about computers but are ready to learn. In plain English, it tells you how to use a computer, the Windows operating system, and basic software; what to look for in a laptop; and how to get online to shop, e-mail, and chat — safely.
Compare — understand the differences between standard "notebook" laptops, netbooks, mids or minis, and tablet PCs
Choose wisely — consider weight, monitor size, price, how you'll connect to the Internet, processor speed, and memory
All the details — charge the battery, set up user accounts, adjust settings, and manage power
Learn what you can do — manage your finances, watch movies, research topics of interest, organize your photos, and create family newsletters
Do Windows — log on and off, manage files and folders, and use accessibility features
Communicate — set up an e-mail account and join a social networking site
Be careful — learn about online risks, how to protect yourself, and how to recognize fraud and scams
Simplify your life — shop, bank, and pay bills online
Open the book and find:
How to keep your laptop running smoothly
What you can do with built-in applications
Advice on searching the Web
Tips for protecting your privacy
How to access the Internet when you travel
How to use accessibility features for vision or hearing challenges
Where to find help
How to connect printers and other devices
Learn to:
? Choose the right laptop for you
? Work with the built-in touchpad or attach a wireless mouse
? Use Windows® 7 to manage files and optimize performance
? Safely send and receive e-mail and explore the Web
Laptops For DummiesLaptops For Dummies, 3rd Edition shows you how to use your laptop to its fullest potential, from how to purchase a laptop and what to do when you first open the box to how to keep your laptop safe and running smoothly. You will discover how to choose and purchase the right laptop for you, how to set up and maintain your laptop, customize user accounts, adding your laptop to networks, printing, and connecting to the Internet. In this updated and revised edition, find information about synchronizing with the desktop, coordinating email pickup between two machines, remote access to the desktop, networking, power management, storage, and especially laptop security. You’ll find out how to:
- Navigate all your laptop’s components
- Use keyboard shortcuts and a mouse
- Organize and manage files and accounts
- Print files and add your laptop to a network
- Properly equip your laptop carrying case with tools and resources
- Manage the power supply
- Add software tools to synchronize and update files between a laptop, a PDA, and a desktop or office server
In addition to the basics, find lists of ten battery tips and tricks, ten handy laptop accessories, and ten things you should keep in your laptop carrying case in Laptops for Dummies, 3rd Edition, a convenient and handy guide!
Laptops All-in-One For DummiesThe all-in-one guide to buying, using, securing, and transporting a laptop—it's ten books in one! If you want to take a computer with you on a trip, to a coffee shop, or into the kitchen when you're cooking, laptops are just the ticket. They're portable, powerful, and popular—but they're not desktops, so you’ll want to know what you’re doing from the get-go. This terrific, ten-minibooks-in-one book covers all the bases: how to choose the best laptop for you, what you need to know when you’re on the road, how to get more productive and more.
- Shows you how to keep your laptop running smoothly and safely at home, at work, in the classroom, and on the road
- Includes ten books in one: Choosing the Best Laptop, Setting Up Your Laptop, Running Basic Windows Operations, Using Common Applications, Playing with Multimedia, Managing Your Power Supply, Upgrading Your Laptop, Networking and Linking to the Internet, Protecting Your Laptop, and Troubleshooting Common Problems
- Offers advice and tips on using your laptop safely and efficiently, including what accessories you need
- Reflects the very latest technologies, including Windows 7 and the new Microsoft Office 2010
This easy-to-follow For Dummies guide tells you everything you need to know about laptops!
