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