How to Extend Laptop, Tablet Battery Life

http://www.wikihow.com/Extend-Laptop-Battery-Life

1. Switch off wireless if you do not plan to access your network or Internet connection

3. Reduce the LCD's brightness level.

If you use your laptop in a well lit area, try setting it at two or three bars.

4. Disable Bluetooth.

If you don't use this device, you can safely disable it to avoid draining your laptop's battery.

5. Learn to single-task.

PC memory uses power to hold data. Each open app needs memory.Need for excess memory uses the hard drive for virtual memory.

6. Run simple applications that don't use much RAM, disk drive or processing power. Use a basic text editor like Notepad or WordPad rather than Microsoft Word. Games and movies are especially demanding.

7. Use the power management settings on your computer that come built in.

Find "Power Options" in your control panel.

8. Shut down or Hibernate the laptop, if you plan on not using it for a while.

Standby continues to drain energy to keep your laptop ready to go when you open the cover.

9. Clean your laptop’s battery contacts (not easily accessible for tablets).

Use rubbing alcohol on a damp cloth to clean the battery's metal contacts - improves energy efficiency. Note later Warning.

10. Keep the battery fresh.

Batteries lose power even when not used. If you do not use your "full" battery for some weeks after charging, you may discover it is empty.

11. Defrag your hard drive.

The more fragmented your hard drive is the more your hard disk needs to work.

12. Avoid using CDs or DVDs.

Optical drives consume power to spin. Avoid apps that keep your drives spinning. Play music on your handheld MP3 player. Copy data from disks to the hard drive or a thumb drive.

13. Use a cooling pad when using a notebook computer on your lap.

But if it's a USB pad then don't use it. It will use up more battery rather than save it.

14. Avoid propping your laptop on a pillow, blanket, or other soft surface that can heat up.

15. If your laptop has an OLED based display, avoid displaying white images.

OLED screens consume a lot less power displaying a blank screen.

16. Eject external devices such as pen drives, DVDs, hard disks, etc., if not in use.

• Use the battery until you need to charge it (20% or less). • Unplug it when it's fully charged. Your battery will last longer.

• Clean your desk at least once a week. Dust on a dirty desk will get into the vents and clog the cooling fan. Dust inside your laptop is hard to remove.

• Charge up completely before you leave the house if there is no place to charge it where you are going.

Tips

• Save your work when on the Internet before turning off the power or closing the lid or you will lose your work.

• Be careful when charging your battery. Never hook it up to charge it when you're not around. There have been many recalls due to exploding battery cells.

• If you use your computer for long, do not let it overheat. It could slowly damage components, shortening their lifespan.

• Be careful when cleaning the contacts. Always clean them when the battery is fully drained. Use alcohol. With water, use a very slightly damp cloth to avoid electric shock.

Warnings

The End