Battery-saving tips
Happy New Year to all you students, teachers, and computer connoisseurs. Classes are getting into gear, which means it must be time for the first edition of Tech Tips in 2009.
This week, we will discuss prolonging the battery life on your laptop computer. There are four easy steps to ensure that your computer is being as energy efficient as possible.
1. Power down all nonessential functions.
It’s a simple concept: switch it off if you’re not using it. Many people already know that you don’t want to take the DVD player for a spin on the plane, and that every time you hit “save” it can set the hard-drive whirring, which devours even more power. But users often also forget to turn off their wireless card when they are no longer using it but are still using their computer. When the wireless card is on, it still continually searches for networks, draining your battery. In Windows XP, click on “Power Options” in your control panel. It allows you to reduce the power consumption of any number of your computer devices or of your entire system.
2. Stay out of extreme temperatures.
It’s important to understand a little bit about the chemistry behind batteries, specifically the external conditions that can affect your battery life. Temperature is one thing that can affect the performance of your battery. It’s best to use (and especially charge) your batteries at room temperatures. Extreme conditions can drain your battery quickly.
Also, avoid partial charges and use the battery until it is dead, as this will significantly shorten your battery’s life. Considering that a lithium-ion battery can explode if it’s improperly used, this is a pretty big thing to consider.
3. Let your laptop do the saving.
Not every computing device handles a power source in the same way. Some of the more sophisticated laptops are misers when it comes to using power. And that’s a good thing — if you can remember to take advantage of it. Most users make the mistake of simply not choosing to use a product’s built-in ability to conserve battery life. How do you harness your PC’s built-in ability to save? Consult your user manual. If you are using a Dell click here or if you are using a Gateway, click here.Often, calibrating your laptop is as easy as double-clicking on the battery icon in the toolbar.
4. Always, always carry a spare device that uses batteries.
You must consider that the availability of ‘free’ power is not predictable. Taking for granted that you can plug in while in a conference room, computer lab, or even the library can sometimes be an erroneous assumption. The same is true when you travel. Power is not always available at the airport or your hotel room. Charge your computer when possible, and consider devices that allow you to charge your computer and other portable devices, such as a cell phone or PDA, at the same time.
That is all for this week, and stay tuned for more elite Tech Tips!
Until next week,
The elite Program
Follow
Comments are closed.