Four Hours of Laptop Battery

The Stats

Before: My laptop on dell settings at full charge is 1 1/2 hours (90 minutes)
After: On my "energizer plan"  I have 4 hours and 25 minutes (265 minutes) of laptop time. 

     I want you to enjoy your computing on the road without worrying about using too much of the battery up to draw some funy pictures in paint. So, heres a video of me creating the "energizer plan." Feel free to create my "energizer plan" or your own plan:

The Energizer Plan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si7_OGpoYac

Spend 2 minutes watching it and get hours back in batery time. Well worth a watch. Good luck -Brian

11 Ways to Get The Most Out Of One Laptop Charge Cycle

What to do to save power immediately! (or for your next trip) 


1. Dim display (dramatic effect on life)

2. Enable power saver mode

3. Unplug devices

4. Turn off unneeded programs (check in task bar to be sure you exited)

5. Turn off wireless in mobility center

6. Turn off sound in mobility center

7. Don't show desktop icons

8. Select Color (32-bit) over High Color (16-bit)

9. Change screen resolution (less pixels for better battery life)

10. Turn off your laptop (shut down) completely if you arent using it (even a 5 min. break)

11.Disable unneeded services that are being provided "under the hood" aka Printer Spool ect.

   If those changes did not make enough difference then you may want to replace your battery or buy a spare so you can have two charged up for your next day out.
Couple batteries from Amazon: (good prices)
   












If you use vista check this link out to learn about Aero Glass which will help you extend and saver your laptop battery life: http://www.blogsdna.com/5354/extend-laptopnotebook-battery-life-on-windows-7-vista-with-aerofoil.htm

Windows 7 Laptop Power Efficiency Diagnostic Report?

Utilizing this feature in Windows 7 can be the extra 2 hours of battery life that you've been dying to have. Let's do it!

   1. Press [Start] > type "cmd" > right click "cmd.exe" > select "Run as administator"

   2. type "powercfg -energy -output \Folder\Energy_Report.html" ( \folder is the folder path) or highlight "powercfg -energy -output \Folder\Energy_Report.html", press Ctrl + C which will copy it.Then Right Click the command prompt (the black window) and select "paste"

   2.5. To create a folder: Right click the white space of a panel in any window folder location or on top of a folder and select "new" and then "folder". Then select a name that you can use in the blue code you have to enter in Command Prompt

   3. Press [Enter] on keyboard

   4. Upon completion a file is created with more detailed information for your use at C:\Folder. "Folder" is the example name for the folder you chose. Note, the folder is not a new folder you want to create. It must already exist before the Efficiency Report. The Efficiency Report will complete regardless of whether there is such a folder in existence.

   5. Analyze the report.

   5.5. If you are having trouble locating the file you created either copy and paste the location C:\Folder\Efficiency_Report.html into the search bar: Press [Start] (bottom right hand corner) then type "C:\Folder\Efficiency_Report.html" or press [start] and search the specific name you chose for the target location folder.

Laptop Battery Duration Part 2: Battery's Have Feelings

Battery's have feelings too. Like a human, the more the battery is used, the less it will want to help you. In  realistic terms: Batteries have life spans! Even if the battery isn't used it will age! 

Is your battery too old?

The Facts:

     -Battery Life is measured in charge cycles. 
            It is inevitable that your laptop battery will die eventually (or become weak)

     -There are different types of laptop batteries:
            http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-different-types-of-laptop-batteries.html

     -If your battery can not withstand 1 hour on it's battery it is definitely time for a new battery

BEST ADVICE:
     If you want a lot of battery life for a trip or other reasons, invest in two or more Lithium-ion laptop batteries so you can DOUBLE OR TRIPLE ECT.     your on the go laptop experience with less hassle. 

**Remember to charge all the batteries before leaving on your trip or other destination.**

6 Clever Ways to Save Laptop Battery

Don't want to or have the time to go out and buy a new laptop battery? Or what if the battery your laptop uses is hard to find!? Part 1 of my Laptop Battery Duration Posts is here to help:

  Lengthen Your Battery's Life Significantly

    Easy ways to save power: 

       1. Turn off sound 

       2. Turn off background programs & webpages

       3. Don't excessively click or move your mouse

       4. Enable 'Power Saver' mode

       5. Dim your laptop screen as much as possible

       6. Remove your battery from your laptop for a while (even a few minutes)

Part 2


Hope it helps,
  -Brian