| As more and more people are becoming part of | | | | life is to lower the brightness of your monitor. |
| the mobile workforce and using laptop or tablet | | | | Lastly bear in mind that using your portable |
| PC's battery life is often a primary concern. | | | | computer to play a DVD movie uses more power |
| Today's portable computers use lithium-ion | | | | than using a spreadsheet. |
| batteries instead of older style nickel-cadmium | | | | If you find that you are often using the computer |
| power sources. In addition to being able to hold a | | | | with the battery at full charge while connected to |
| greater charge, lithium is also very light weight, | | | | the main power supply you may want to remove |
| another important concern for portable | | | | the battery. Keeping the battery fully charged |
| computers. | | | | while it's at a high temperature, which is typical of |
| When you are purchasing your computer | | | | conditions of a laptop that is always plugged into |
| investigate if a long-life battery is available. While it | | | | the main power supply, will dramatically shorten its |
| will add to the cost it can give up to double the | | | | lifespan. Discharging the battery regularly is also |
| usage of a normal battery. To get the most | | | | conducive to long battery life. Under optimal |
| usage out of your battery you'll need to | | | | conditions laptop batteries will last 24 to 36 |
| understand a little bit about how batteries work. | | | | months, under less than optimal conditions you |
| Each battery has a limited number of charge | | | | may shorten the lifespan down to 12 to 18 |
| cycles. If your battery lasts for 4 hours and on | | | | months. |
| the first day you use it for 2 hours and then | | | | To help keep your battery operating at optimal |
| recharge it fully and the next day you use it for 2 | | | | conditions try to fully discharge it once a month. |
| hours again and then fully recharge it again, you | | | | Many people find it helpful to set a calendar |
| will have completed one charge cycle. Each | | | | reminder so they don't forget. If you find your |
| battery has a limited number of charge cycles | | | | battery lasts less than 60 minutes, try fully |
| before it starts losing it's the charge it can hold. | | | | discharging it several days in a row. Just leave |
| If you aren't using your wireless connection to | | | | your computer on overnight with no applications |
| connect to the internet or network turn off the | | | | running. Be sure to turn off any alarm or lower |
| wireless connection it will extend the life of your | | | | power warnings that are associated with your |
| battery. The same holds true for Bluetooth | | | | power settings. If this fails to work you will need |
| connections. Another way to extend your battery | | | | to replace the battery. |