Laptop Experts please

[mikey]

I was wondering what the best resolution settings and power settings need adjustment to get the optimal performance and battery life from a laptop. I recently purchased a brand new battery and would like to know the best mode and settings to set for the longest possible battery life away from the charger. Thanks

[scottschoe]

For optimal hrs-per-charge, just turn everything low (fan speed, CPU speed, monitor brightness, etc). If you have an option on your laptop to optimize the charge for battery lifespan, use that as well.

[Paulie]

Also make sure you run it down to close to zero at least once a month. Leaving it plugged in all the time will slowly reduce the total capacity.

[mikey]

i am still a noob with laptops where do you turn the fan down?

[Ragu]

Here's a good site for notebooks.
I've just purchased my "first" NB and this site has been a great help.
Hope it helps you too.

link

click on discussion

[mikey]

WOW this link is awesome. i had no idea people custom paint there laptops. Thanks

[Welshwatchman]

Quite big power drains are wireless, bluetooth (if onboard) and screen backlight settings.

I put a shortcut to the wireless/bt settings on my desktop so can easily enable/disabled.

Also you should be able to manually increase the screen backlight with an alt function button sequence on your keyboard. This was you can increase/reduce the setting on the fly to the lowest brightness that conditions will allow for.

The CPU speedsteppings should be automatically handled by the processor.

[unclesallie]

Paul: I am hoping you can tell me what would be best(while we're at this laptop business). I want something nice and light for word processing and email. I like my computers to be fast, but those functions are 99% of what I do. Do NOT need any bells and whistles. What do you recommend?
best, dan

[mikey]

Paul, i am a movie buff and I popped in a dvd that was a favorite of mine ok "Money Pit" and i toggled the setting to one that was acceptable to view with clarity with brightness. I also changed the setting so when or if I close the lid that it does not go into "stand by" mode. I want to be able to open and continue my movie or document or this forum without having it to come out of nap time. If I know i am going to be busy then i will just turn off.

[GrandDaddy]

What kind of processor does your laptop have? If it's AMD, there's not much you can do, they are power hogs.

[Ragu]

The link above helped me decide which NB to purchase and with a very good Dell coupon also!

[mdx77]

Originally Posted by Ragu

The link above helped me decide which NB to purchase and with a very good Dell coupon also!

DELL SUCKS, DELL SUCKS, DELL SUCKS, DELL SUCKS......

OOOPPPPS....whas that out loud.....

[GrandDaddy]

Originally Posted by mdx77

DELL SUCKS, DELL SUCKS, DELL SUCKS, DELL SUCKS......

OOOPPPPS....whas that out loud.....

Dell sucks because?........ Funny, my daughter and I have two Dells each with ZERO problems. Do they suck or is it the proverbial computer having people problem?

[mdx77]

Originally Posted by GrandDaddy

Dell sucks because?........ Funny, my daughter and I have two Dells each with ZERO problems. Do they suck or is it the proverbial computer having people problem?

Yeah.....that to!

Actuall.....I have a huge issue w/ outsourcing....but let's not open that can of worms.....

[GrandDaddy]

Originally Posted by mdx77

Yeah.....that to!

Actuall.....I have a huge issue w/ outsourcing....but let's not open that can of worms.....

So, you think Bubba or Junior from Arkansas are better in assembling computers than Abdul from India or Joseph from Malaysia, or Ching Hee from China? How many made in the U.S.A. parts are in your current PC? Your car?
If you want an "assembled in the U.S.A." Dell laptop, you can always order from their Business section (I bet you knew that already).

[GrandDaddy]

Originally Posted by mdx77

Yeah.....that to!

Actuall.....I have a huge issue w/ outsourcing....but let's not open that can of worms.....

Note: Lifted from another board:

Here's a Dell assembled in the U.S.A., just for you: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...421&lid=197378

2 Coupons from Dell Small Business: $300 off $999 GBM7HX$KL48KVP and $500 off $1249 Q2TZNN?6PH3SLW valid on Vostro line of notebooks.

Well equipped Dell Vostro 1500 for $777

Vostro 1500

Select the following options:
1. Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) [add $280]
2. Genuine Windows XP Home Edition add $0 or Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic add $0
3. 15.4 in Wide Screen SXGA+LCD Display w/TrueLife [add $100]
4. 8X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability, w/ Roxio Creator [add $30]
5. 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT [add $199]
6. Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini-card [add $79]
7. Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate), Vista [$20] or Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate), WinXP [$20]
8. Integrated 2.0 mega pixel Web Camera [add $30]
9. 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery [add $40]
3. Checkout, apply coupon Q2TZNN?6PH3SLW
4. Your total price will be $1,277 - $500 coupon = $777 with free shipping

Or

Vostro 1500 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
LCD Panel 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD Display with TrueLife™
Memory 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
Video Cards 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
Hard Drive 120GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
Integrated NIC and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader
Optical Drive 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Sound Card High Definition Audio 2.0
Wireless Cards Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Wi-Fi Mini Card
Camera No Webcam Option
Bundle No Pre-installed Productivity Software
MediaDirect Dell Exclusive MediaDirect™ Instant Play Software Application
1st Software No Pre-installed Anti-Virus/Security Software
Primary Battery 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Limited Warranty, Services and Support 1 Year Basic Limited Warranty plus 1 Year Mail-in Service
Dell DataSafe Online Data Backup No Online Data Back Up Installed
Automated PC Tuneup 1 Year Dell Automated PC Tuneup
Purchase Intent Purchase is not intended for resale.
Processor Branding Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Labels Windows XP™

$653 Shipped

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by GrandDaddy

Dell sucks because?........ Funny, my daughter and I have two Dells each with ZERO problems. Do they suck or is it the proverbial computer having people problem?

2 laptops or desktops each? If the former, consider yourself very fortunate.

[GrandDaddy]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

2 laptops or desktops each? If the former, consider yourself very fortunate.

Two laptops each. ME: Inspiron 6000 and 1505, HER: 1505 and 1401.

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by mdx77

DELL SUCKS, DELL SUCKS, DELL SUCKS, DELL SUCKS......

OOOPPPPS....whas that out loud.....

+1

[nsolga]

Get an Apple Macbook my friend ... Good battery life and if you get applecare to protect it - just take it in if the battery wears down anytime in 3 year warranty


My WiFi eats my battery too!

[mdx77]

WHOA GrandDaaddy......no offense, just a joke but I will share this.....I do have a Dell desktop....long story short, while talking to a "service rep" with an obvious "Indian" accent, if you will, hung up on ME becasue he couldn't understand my "accent". EXCUSE ME! I'm calling from America, and I expect to talk someone who understands English!!!!!

Short Rant Over

[Incurable]

I recently bought an IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad T30 on eBay. Powerful (enough), plenty of features, built like a brick and cheap... Accessories are abundant and also CHEAP. I attribute it to large companies leasing many, many of the IBM's and they end up on eBay at some point. It's been the best value purchase I've made in years.

[Paulie]

Originally Posted by Incurable

I recently bought an IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad T30 on eBay. Powerful (enough), plenty of features, built like a brick and cheap... Accessories are abundant and also CHEAP. I attribute it to large companies leasing many, many of the IBM's and they end up on eBay at some point. It's been the best value purchase I've made in years.

I have a couple of those on the shelf, but the batteries have only about an hour at full charge. Great machine though, run Ubuntu beautifully. Used out of warranty machines can be a bargain, as long as you are happy with the risk that if the hardware dies, it's replace and recycle and not fix. :)

The P4-M (northwood core) in the T30 likes to run hot, I used the side vent to keep my coffee warm. Don't run it that hot if it's out of warranty; back when these were the new thing I had many system boards fail in T30's because the flow solder on the memory sockets would run a bit, and the memory would no longer be seen. Otherwise, a solid performer if a bit heavy by todays standards.

T40's that replaced them, skip, and go for a used T41 or T42. They did something funky with the HAL in the T40's, and they were a short lived model.

I still run a T41 as my work computer, I won't let them replace it until it dies. Been rock solid for almost 5 years now. I do weekly backups, I know I'm running on borrowed time.

My personal Apple Titanium Powerbook which I bought as a refurbished model is also still used daily by my wife. Though it's 800mhz G4 is showing it's age, and to get the latest Mac OS X on it requires hacking. Put a new battery in it, so gets 3 hours or so off power cord. For web browsing and email, it still gets the job done and in style.

[Incurable]

Interesting input, Paulie. I primarily bought it because it featured a serial port (a rarity). I needed it for my VAGCOM interface that talks to the BOSCH computer in my car (VW, Audi). NIB batteries are around $39 on eBay. Last laptop I owned, they were more like $159 . Docking station w/power supply, Ultra bay, blah, blah, blah... $25 Auxiliary battery, NIB another $40. Auto/Airline power supply, $20. WiFi card... $15. Everything's just CHEAP for this one. Can't argue that.

I do notice the fan running fairly often and... the outlet air is definitely warm. My personal thoughts were... "keep an eye on the fan, don't let it die because it's definitely needed". Now that I read your assessment, I'll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks again for the input.

Addendum: I have the full service manual for it and it looks like just about everything is servicable. Full instructions on how to disassemble and replace every component possible. Nice info though I hope I don't need it often.

[Paulie]

Very cool to have the service manual. I have the official ibm plastic flat screwdriver used for swapping the keyboard.

I have a serial Autotap OBDII cable for my ex 2000 Camaro Z28. Used an old AST 486 with DOS; machine couldn't run Windows.