Getting the most from your laptop battery

A page of 15 tips, some you may not know, HERE

Enjoy !

 

[Calibre Designs]

Thanks a lot Comspec.

. Turn off WiFi when not in use. There is a switch on all laptops which have built-in wireless capability. Turning this off when not being used will reduce battery wear.

I am on the net 24/7

 

[ken_uk]

Not to convinced about point 11, run the battery down completely once a month.

Reconditioning a battery by totally flattening it,and fully recharging does not need to be done monthly I would have thought, maybe it depends on the laptop, but I would only do it every few months at most..

Most laptops these days use li-ion batteries that have a limited amount of full discharge cycles, so discharging monthly is going to have a negative effect on battery life.

 

[stugster]

Not to convinced about point 11, run the battery down completely once a month.

Reconditioning a battery by totally flattening it,and fully recharging does not need to be done monthly I would have thought, maybe it depends on the laptop, but I would only do it every few months at most..

It's one of those arguments where nobody has actually done the specific tests probably... or at least, nobody has released the results!

Personally, I accidentally run my battery down once a month when shutting down windows and something needs saved. I close the lid and forget about it... until the battery dies.

Fantastic article Mark!

 

[stugster]

Mark, could you add "Brightness" to the list ?

 

[StephenW]

Hi Comspec

Thanks for that

I clean my mobile's battery contacts with a pencil eraser (as it sometimes shut down). I'll do the same for laptop in future.

Regards
Stephen

 

[adamscomputers07]

Sorry to drop you in it a bit, I researched these batteries a while ago and kept the info, in relation to your points - here are my finds and they are backed on reputable sources.

Point 9, overheating stresses components this does not impact battery life. Point 3, more ram, more power needed. Point 4, doesn't really matter if you are surfing the web or sending email, screen resolution is minor. Point 2, the manual just tells you how to use the computer, I have only seen the instructions where the battery is and how to check it. Point 11, Li Ion prefers partial charge discharge. Point 7, If using the battery on mains, the battery is best stored slightly discharged, apparently if it is too low the battery becomes un-chargeable. When on battery, the laptop will kick in its default PM settings you can tweak these further.

Modern Li ion batteries do not have memory effect, they prefer a partial charge rather than full discharge, life of these is 2 or 3 years and fail due to resistance and oxidation.

Consider also you could under clock and under volt the cpu, disable unused devices. As with wireless being switched off, disabling bluetooth and not using any external device on USB unless externally powered, there is a nifty program out there for advanced power management, anyone who wants it can PM me.

 

[Gillie]

Point 4, doesn't really matter if you are surfing the web or sending email, screen resolution is minor.

If you say point 4 in Marks list is irelevant, why then does my laptop when running on battery come tell me to reduce screen resolution to enable me to get the most out of my battery?

 

[stugster]

Point 9, overheating stresses components this does not impact battery life. Point 3, more ram, more power needed.

Surely if the components are stressed, they're not working at their optimum capacity, and therefore a sub-sequential drain on the battery occurs?

Point 4, doesn't really matter if you are surfing the web or sending email, screen resolution is minor.

Don't believe this for a second. The graphics adaptor is working harder, the processor is throwing up more pixels... the hardware is working harder, therefore laptop is slower therefore tasks take longer, therefore battery dies quicker.

Point 2, the manual just tells you how to use the computer, I have only seen the instructions where the battery is and how to check it.

My HP manual (specifically section "D Specifications" outlines the optimum operating environment for the laptop. It also shows me how to care for the laptop, keeping it clean, and stopping devices that aren't being used.

Not only that, the manual explains how to use the Function keys to change the brightness of the backlight... saving more battery life

 

[adamscomputers07]

Does this look familiar?!

http://www.friedbeef.com/2007/07/01/top-15-ways-to-extend-your-laptop-battery-life/

Sorry did you write that in your own words?

Regarding screen res vs battery life, there is very little evidence other than games users. Agree that more work is required therefore reducing battery life.

 

[stugster]

Ah right... because someone has already given fantastic tips on how to help laptop battery life, nobody else is allowed to share those well known techniques?

Adam, you need to re-consider your posts, you're starting to come across a bit arrogant.

 

[stugster]

Oh, and Adam... by your logic, isn't this a bit similar too:

http://www.winvistaclub.com/t1.html

http://adamcanfixyourcomputer.co.uk/gen/qfixes.html








Mark: Sorry your thread has descended into this. Hopefully useful replies can now commence.

 

[Gillie]

Adam ... I should imagine that if you knew your business, there must be many articles written about laptop battery life span etc ... I know that I have written a wonderful articles on business plans etc but heck heaven forbid that anyone else should have written an articles on them!

 

[adamscomputers07]

ok, ok, not saying anymore. My page at qfixes is my own research and what I have discovered without googling, thanks.

 

[adamscomputers07]

Yes Adam, of course we believe you!!

I'm sure you do. Some of those points need clarification and more detail.

 

[stugster]

My page at qfixes is my own research and what I have discovered without googling, thanks.

I'm glad you're spending your time re-inventing the wheel

 

[adamscomputers07]

Believe it or not I have the skill to log and document my work. Are you implying that University Papers are copied homework too?

 

[stugster]

Mate, feel free to start a thread and debate about literacy, documentation, processes, formal assessment, Q.A., Six Sigma, and controlled-condition laboratory experimentation, and I'll happily oblige to discuss it with you.

Believe it or not, logging and documenting your work isn't a "skill", it's a standard.

My implication was nothing to do with University, nor your theses. My metaphorical statement posted earlier was a dig at you for being all high and mighty about your simple findings, when about 200,000 people around the world have probably already done it - AND publicised it.


I shall say no more on the subject. Sorry Mark (and Alan ).

 

[Alpha]

Ok so can we agree to disagree on the subject?

The thread is supposed to be about laptop batteries not whether an individual has copied information or not

 

Sorry to drop you in it a bit, I researched these batteries a while ago and kept the info, in relation to your points - here are my finds and they are backed on reputable sources.

Point 9, overheating stresses components this does not impact battery life. Point 3, more ram, more power needed. Point 4, doesn't really matter if you are surfing the web or sending email, screen resolution is minor. Point 2, the manual just tells you how to use the computer, I have only seen the instructions where the battery is and how to check it. Point 11, Li Ion prefers partial charge discharge. Point 7, If using the battery on mains, the battery is best stored slightly discharged, apparently if it is too low the battery becomes un-chargeable. When on battery, the laptop will kick in its default PM settings you can tweak these further.

Modern Li ion batteries do not have memory effect, they prefer a partial charge rather than full discharge, life of these is 2 or 3 years and fail due to resistance and oxidation.

Consider also you could under clock and under volt the cpu, disable unused devices. As with wireless being switched off, disabling bluetooth and not using any external device on USB unless externally powered, there is a nifty program out there for advanced power management, anyone who wants it can PM me.

I'm going to ignore the fact that you have tried to actually slur me by suggesting I copied some article you have dug up. That is downright silly, the differences are there and mine is 'my' take on what are industry thoughts (there are few actual thoughts in the pc industry which are not already covered somewhere else, our plan is to try to give our own personal slant on them based upon our own experience). Keep your schoolboy rubbish for your own playground, as I do not have the time or inclination to get involved.

What exactly are you trying to say in your final paragraph here? Did I not already mention turning wireless function off, turning off unused external devices, etc?

To run through a few of your other points:

1) Overheating causes stress to components, which WILL impact on battery life if these components cause the battery to work a little harder. Negligible in most cases, but still relevant.

2) More RAM does indeed need a little more power, but this is more than offset with the saving that occurs because your laptop does not have to utilise processing power & swap files just as much

3) You mention screen resolution 'not mattering' when you are just surfing, etc - and that is exactly the point I made in my article. If you do not need to be running at 1400+ then why do it?

4) Manuals which come with laptops generally have a page or section dedicated to your battery - telling you the do's and don'ts - maybe you are not old enough yet to move off the 'Dick & Dora' books?

5) Don't know what you are saying about point 7 - as I did say that the battery is best left at 40% rather than fully discharged.


I will take Ken's point about maybe monthly discharging being a little excessive. I think the reason I tend to do things monthly is because I need a date to do things (or they invariably don't get done) - hence the first of the month is my 'tidy this crap up day'

I did not post this for some childish 'point-scoring' as displayed by my esteemed pc-repairer colleague, more as a useful list of points for consideration for those with lappies. If you don't agree with it, or don't want to read it - then go read summat else

 

[adamscomputers07]

I was just presenting some valid arguments, obviously taken too far. I understand all the points you listed but wanted to get some more information as to why rather than just do this and this as some users don't fully understand things and I believe that a little clarification on subjects helps them learn. I'm not going to argue my points further, just to say that on post 20 we have clearer understanding of why people need to do them and how. All points are valid and should be taken into account by all users. Thanks Comspec for the useful information, I hope you don't mind if I share your info?

 

I must admit that the article I had originally written was probably twice the length, but it was too detailed and too technical for the average user. I cut it right down, giving the points as understandable as possible, without the "why's and wherefore's".

Still, as with any article, each user should look and take out the points applicable to them. If you utilise one or two of the points made, then at least you may get a little benefit.

 

In fact Ken, I agree with you to the point where I have changed that portion to read 'every 2 months or so'.

I tend to be guilty of bundling things into monthly cycles, when less would probably be better.

Cheers
Mark

 

[adamscomputers07]

Hey, I must have been half asleep when I typed my message this morning. Just thought, that the hotter the computer is, the more the fan runs the more drain on the battery and yes higher resolution means more demand on the system and more heat = more fan. (I'm not a morning person!) BTW, I just got two new Samsung laptops and it says check user manual for charging instructions before use, I looked through and found nothing!

 

Samsung were never that hellish with their paperwork

I have actually dug out a couple of laptop manuals (I am a hoarder by nature) and only one (HP) had a page telling you the 'best way to preserve your battery'. Funny thing is the other one was a Samsung.

 

[creospace]

I must admit that the article I had originally written was probably twice the length, but it was too detailed and too technical for the average user. I cut it right down, giving the points as understandable as possible, without the "why's and wherefore's".

Still, as with any article, each user should look and take out the points applicable to them. If you utilise one or two of the points made, then at least you may get a little benefit.

Why not post the extended points as single blog items?

 

I had thought about that Gary, but I try to aim everything at the 'layman', so didn't want to bore them with technical details and my waffle

The article has the details, the 'whys' they really don't need to know (although they are free to come ask).

 

[estwig]

I'm very disappointed in all of you, discussing laptop battery life on a Friday evening!!!!!

Tut, tut, tut.

Tooooooooooo geeekyyyyyy!!!!

 

[ken_uk]

Heat is known to degrade li-ion batteries faster.

The hotter the laptop, the faster the battery ages, and loses charge.

The following chart shows how much capacity over time, at different temperatures, and for different charge levels. (source batteryuniversity.com)

Permanent Capacity Loss versus Storage Conditions

Storage Temperature 40% Charge 100% Charge
​

0°C (32 °F) 2% loss after 1 year 6% loss after 1 year
25°C (77 °F) 4% loss after 1 year 20% loss after 1 year
40°C (104 °F) 15% loss after 1 year 35% loss after 1 year
60°C (140 °F) 25% loss after 1 year 40% loss after 3 months

 

[Lawrence_Luo]

Battery Tips
If you find yourself with no electrical adapter or power source and need your battery to operate for as long as possible, take good care of your laptop battery and ensure that it will be ready to work properly and efficiently in the battery mode.
The general tips are listed as follows:
1.Turn off Wi-Fi and BlueTooth - Most laptops have shortcut keys to instantly disable wireless networking.
2.Don't play computer games, music or DVD movies - Multimedia activities drain laptop batteries.
3.Disconnect all external devices like PC Card modems, Firewire, USB devices and optical drives. Use the notebook touchpad instead of an external mouse.
4.Adjust your screen brightness - Dimming your display saves battery power.
5.Tweak Windows Power Options - Choose a Laptop power scheme that turns off the notebook monitor and hard disk after 10 minutes ofinactivity.
6.Decrease or mute the Laptop Speaker Volume.
7.Turn off all scheduled tasks.
8.Turn off Auto-save features in Microsoft Office and other applications.
9.If your PC has a built-in wireless card, turn it off or disable it when not in use.

 

[Robert Wheeler]

Just thought I would jump in on this discussion on whether higher resolutions mean more system overhead. I would have to challenge this.

LCD screens are digital and have an optimum resolution. If the computer delivers a signal of a resolution which is not optimal for the physical screen (be it a higher or lower resolution), then some where along the line a transformation has to occur. This will use more power that working in the optimum screen resolution.

I am not very familiar with chunky graphics arrays or whatever is used in modern day VGA successor adapters, but there was a lower colour resolution planar screen mode available for the Amiga 1200 which was much slower than the next step up due to the way the system was design. If you opened a 128 colour screen it would always be much slower and use more resources than a 256 colour screen because 128 colours required 7 bits per pixel and the 256 colour mode required 8 bits. 8 bits (1 byte) was much easier to process and organise than 7 bits. I would not be suprised if there are parallels in modern graphics cards.