How To & More: Mobile Computing

Ah, the laptop computer-the ultimate in digital enjoyment where you can connect, play, and work, wherever, whenever. But if you lose battery power and can't plug in on the go, your laptop just became an oversized coaster.

Laptop technologies have really come a long way.

With advances in processor architecture and mobile-optimized technologies and software, you can experience a near-desktop experience for playing games, listening to and downloading music and surfing the Internet, all without being leashed to the nearest outlet.

OK, you've come a long way. Now just a little further.

But even with mobile-optimized technologies built in, there are still things that can drain your battery! To squeeze every last drop of power out of your laptop battery, follow these tips and tricks and you'll stay mobile longer:

1. Charge the battery! Consider keeping it plugged in for 12 hours before you unplug.

Tip! If over time you find that you have to recharge your battery more often to get the same level of performance, it's time to replace it. Look for Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) replacement batteries for the greatest longevity.

2. Switch on the optimized battery or power feature, which you'll find in your laptop system's built-in power management control panel. Some systems refer to this feature as max battery mode. You can select the option to reduce the amount of time your laptop stays on without activity before powering itself down and going to "sleep." Turning off power-draining facilities like backlights can save quite a bit on battery loss.
3. Check to see if your laptop has the optimum amount of Random Access Memory (RAM). You can do this by right mouse clicking on the My Computer. The amount of RAM memory you have will appear under your System information. Your system uses RAM to run program instructions with the computer's memory instead of its hard disk, where it stores data. Refreshing the RAM requires less power than spinning the hard drive, so having the correct amount of RAM means less drain on your laptop battery.

Tip! Consider 1 GB or more RAM for the best performance!

4. To ensure the power transfer between the laptop and its battery is as efficient as possible, remove the battery and clean the metal contacts with alcohol (ideally every two months). Allow it to dry thoroughly before replacing it.
5. Unplug any accessories connected to your laptop you aren't using. Accessories drain power from the battery even if they're not in use.

Tip! Turn your WLAN switch off if you don't need a wireless connection-there is usually a button/ LED on your laptop that is lit during wireless activities.
6. Use your laptop in the best possible lighting conditions so you don't have to rely on the brightness of the screen, which further drains battery life.

6. Defragment the hard drive so your system operates as efficiently as possible, which further helps save battery life. This built-in utility included with Windows*-based operating systems rearranges file fragments so they are closer together on the hard drive, decreasing the time your system must spend searching for files. Less time searching means less spinning for the hard drive and less use of battery power.

Tip! Defragment your hard drive at least every two months!
Follow these battery-saving tips and tricks and you'll be well on your way to staying unleashed longer!

Article resources

Get even more battery-saving tips:

• View tips for maximizing battery life from Microsoft
• View tips for maximizing battery life from Apple
• Check advice on optimizing battery performance
• 10 ways to extend battery life from Lifehack