Notebooks have already
become part of our everyday lives. We use them for nearly all daily computing
functions,like researching, creating reports, entertainment, and social
networking.But watching the battery drain from your notebook when you are on
the move is pretty stressful. Every notebook user wants a longer battery life,
but few know how to get it without purchasing a new machine. Though notebook manufacturers have made efficiency improvements
in the last few years, even the newest machines don’t last long enough for many
users. However, most people don’t realize their operating system has often been
preinstalled with applications and integrated peripherals that consume battery
life even when unused. Here are a few handy tips to help you identify ways to extend
your notebook’s battery life.
1. Sleep after a few minutes of inactivity
Utilize the operating
system’s power management capabilities to set targets for when the display goes
dark and transitions into the ‘Sleep’ mode. Windows users, look for the Power
Options in your Control Panel. If you can allow for the extra time it will take
for your machine to start, set your notebook to hibernate (and not just sleep)
when you close the lid.
2. Close apps and messaging software that ping in the background
Messaging apps like
Skype and Google Talk are constantly updating while you are watching a movie,
checking emails, and surfing the web. Programs that update automatically, like
Adobe Reader, or iTunes also ping the Internet to see if there are new versions
to download. You can stop these power vampires by preventing them from loading
during boot up. In the Start Menu search box, type msconfig and then click on
it. Go to the Start Up tab and uncheck messaging apps, such as Skype, Gtalk,
and Yahoo Messenger. Click the “OK” button to save preferences. If you need to
use these apps, launch them manually.
3. Reduce the brightness of your screen
Your screen’s
backlight consumes most of the power of your notebook. Save battery life by
turning it down to the lowest tolerable level. You can often manually increase
and lower the brightness by hitting shortcut keyson your device. In most Acer
notebooks for example, press the ‘Fn’ function button and left/right arrow key
to adjust brightness. Experts recommend, however, that you lower brightness
from your Power Profile window, so that your machine retains its settings when
you unplug it.
4. Turn off backlit keyboards
If your notebook
features a backlit keyboard to help you see the keys in darkerenvironments,
remember that this feature will also sap your device’s battery life. Save power
by turning the backlights off. Each notebook has its own way of enabling and
disabling this feature, but the most common method is hitting a function key on
the topmost part of the keyboard.
5. Avoid being performance-hungry
Unless you are
operating mathematical computations on a long plane ride, chances are, you don’t
need most of the processing power from your CPU. Find the Power Saving option
on your notebook and change it to 'extend battery life when plugged in'. This
setting can usually be found in the Control Panel>Power Option window. Leave
the 3D gaming functions open only when you are near an electrical outlet.
6. Get rid of nonessential components and unused discs
Every USB peripheral
connected to your notebook is eating up your battery life by registering itself
in the system. This is also true for your DVDs, Blu-rays and CDs sitting idle
on your optical drive. Remove discs along with car readers, USB keys, modem,
and other peripheral components that you don’t need to conserve battery power.
7. Cool it down
Your notebook generates heat, and higher operating temperatures reduce
performance efficiency, which in turn demands more power. Make sure that you
let your notebook “breathe” by keeping lint, clothing, and other obstructions
from blocking the device’s cooling vents.
Author:
Louise Miller
I was born in Berlin, Germany. I studied in London and wrote my thesis on social media marketing. Now I works for a London-based PR company and I also loves blogging about technology and social media in My spare time.
Author:
Louise Miller
I was born in Berlin, Germany. I studied in London and wrote my thesis on social media marketing. Now I works for a London-based PR company and I also loves blogging about technology and social media in My spare time.
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