Batteries and Power Management
Using Battery Power
34 Reference Guide
To get the most from your batteries
Follow these suggestions to make your battery power last as long as possible:
• Plug in the AC adapter, especially when using a CD-ROM or DVD drive, or any
external connections such as a PC Card or a modem.
• Set the display brightness to the lowest comfortable level (Fn+F1).
• Put the notebook in Standby whenever you are not using it for a short while.
• Put the notebook in Hibernation whenever you want to save your current session,
but will not be using the notebook for a day or more.
• Set the automatic timeout settings to emphasize saving power. If your notebook
has a multispeed processor, use the lower speed on battery power (the default
settings conserve battery power).
• If your notebook has a wireless on-off button, turn off the wireless function when
you are not using it. Press the wireless on-off button so that the light turns off.
• If you have a PC Card such as a network card, remove it when you are not using
it. Some PC Cards use significant power even while they are inactive.
• If you work with an application that uses the serial port or a PC Card, exit the
application when you finish using it.
• Do not leave batteries unused for long periods. If you have more than one,
rotate them.
• If you normally use AC power, make a practice of using the battery as your
power source at least once a week.
• Unplug the AC adapter when the notebook is not in use.
• To preserve the life of a battery, be sure to charge it regularly.
• For long-term storage, the battery must be charged 20 percent to 50 percent to
minimize capacity loss by self-discharge and to avoid deterioration of battery
performance.
• Avoid using or charging batteries at high temperatures.
