When buying a new laptop computer, there are numerous factors involved in making the final decision. The size of the hard drive, the size of the random access memory (RAM), and the speed of the processor are among some of the main points. However, with the new portable access points (hot spots) being introduced, how long the battery lasts is becoming an important part of the decision process.
With the proliferation of advertising showing 3G and 4G wireless speeds available for wireless internet access, some laptop users are becoming disenchanted with their new purchase when their battery begins to lose power in an hour or two. Planning to spend the day working on the new computer on the backyard deck or in the local park loses its appeal fast as the battery life begins to fade.
While there may be little the laptop owner can do that will change the charge length of the battery itself, there are some things they can do that will extend the time they can use their new laptop before having to find an outlet into which they can plug their laptop to keep working.
One of the easiest things that can be done to extend the use of the battery is to lower the brightness of the screen. In reality, the LCD screen, typical on many laptops, is the one, single most drain on the battery. When working in low light, the screen will still be seen quite well if the brightness is reduced. This will add a few minutes of use before the battery power begins to fail.
When the laptop is first turned on, it can take several minutes to start up all of the programs running in the background. Many users would be surprised to learn how many programs are automatically started right off the bat, and since they won’t use most of them, probably don’t even know they are running. Looking at the task bar at the bottom of the screen, once the laptop is ready to go, all of the programs running will be obvious. There are a couple of options when becoming aware of all the programs running in the background: First, decide if the programs will ever be used at all; next, if keeping them, only have them available to open as needed instead of being up and running from the time the computer is turned on. The owner can elect to delete the program all together. By accessing the system’s Add/Delete programs, the program can be removed from the hard drive. Before selecting this option, it’s important to remember that it will not be available next week when it may be wanted.
Probably, the best option is to enter the Start Up menu and choose the programs wanted to run at start up and remove the ones that are wanted to be left available from the main menu screen, but not at start-up. Not only will this remove the programs running in the background, reducing battery use, it will also allow the system to start faster, also reducing the amount of battery power used during the start-up process.
Battery life can also be established from the day the computer is brought home from the store. The majority of laptop batteries, as well as most rechargeable batteries, have what is sometimes referred to as a memory, to prevent overcharging causing damage to the battery. Essentially, this memory limits the amount of charge the battery will hold when plugged into an outlet. When the battery is new, it has little or no charge and most manufacturers recommend a minimum of eight to 10 hours before being used. Realistically, most buyers of computers are anxious to play with their new toy and plug it in only long enough to get it working.
For example, look at a battery like a glass of water. If the glass is half full when you take the first drink, the memory of the glass looks at the amount of water in the glass when the first sip is taken. When the automatic faucet is turned on (plugging the battery into an outlet) it will only bring the level back up to the half way point. In this manner, the glass will never become full.
Conversely, if the glass is allowed to fill to the top before water is removed, then when the faucet is next turned back on, it will fill the glass all the way to the top again. This analogy, while simple, is similar to charging a laptop battery. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation to completely charge the battery before using it to insure that when it is subsequently charged, it can be charged to its full capacity, extending its life while working away from outlets.
