Real Battery Life

Ever wonder why you never seem to get the same battery life out of your laptop battery you were told you would? You are not the only one, and here are some reasons why. Most people do not realize that they can overcharge their computer batteries. Diminished battery life can be the result of leaving the computer plugged into the power supply too much. Computer batteries should be allowed to drain down and then be charged back up at least a couple times a week. Do not leave them plugged in all the time. If you do not plan on using the computer for an extended period of time, leave the computer plugged into the wall but take the battery out. Graphics cards are also a source of diminished battery capacity. These cards use a lot of power. Many laptops have the option of disabling the graphics card when it does not need to be used. Doing so will conserve power. If you use your laptop to watch DVDs you should check to see if the computer has A/V Mode. This mode turns the DVD player and screen on without starting your operating system, using much less power. If you follow these steps you will get the battery life you were promised instead of feeling like you were cheated.