“Of Mice and Megabytes Supplement”

EXTENDING LAPTOP BATTERY LIFE
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The year 2004 was the first time sales of laptops outpaced that of traditional desktop systems. Obviously, one of the tantalizing features of a portable computer is its, well, portability. And tied to this factor is the amount of usable computer time when not tethered to an A.C. outlet. Here are a few tricks to help extend your battery life while you’re relaxing with a Starbucks latte. 1) If you’ve no need to connect wirelessly, then turn off your notebook’s wireless network search function. Look for the cute little radiating antenna icon (on a Windows system it’s located in the lower right corner near the clock), click it, and then turn off the feature. Or, on an HP Pavilion, there’s a toggle button on the top right, just above the f12 key. Blue illumination indicates the feature is on. Press it once to turn it off. 2) Turn down the screen brightness. For HP Pavilion laptop users, simultaneously hold down the “fn” key while pushing the “f7” function key a few times. (To increase brightness, press “fn” and "f8”.)

Of course, using your laptop’s DVD or CD will shorten your laptop’s usable battery time.

Re-printed from the Rafu Shimpo, February 2006. Copyright©2006 Rafu Shimpo. All rights reserved.