subject: How To Protect Lithium-ion Batteries [print this page] Instructions Instructions
To save laptop computer batteries, turn off your laptop wireless connectivity when not being used. Most laptops have a shortcut button (usually at the bottom or edge of the laptop) which allows you to instantly toggle your WiFi connection on or off. This and other features allow to save energy on your notebook batteries.
From your Windows OS, go to the control panel and look for the main power options applet. In here you will see several choices for maximizing the power consumption of your machine. Set your system to go on 'stand by' after 5 or 10 minutes of inactivity.
Try not to multi task too much, as listening to music while working on several applications can really diminish your laptop computer batteries.
To better save your laptop computer batteries, set your OS to hibernate. This turns off your system completely while still managing to leave every active setting intact. Of course, if the battery life is still draining quickly, you may simply need to get some replacement laptop batteries (most online stores offer discount laptop batteries, usually not new but generally useful).
Many laptops offer the option to dim your screen as a means to conserve laptop battery life, further helping you save battery life. If available, make it less bright, to a point where you are still comfortable with it.
If not using any external devices currently connected, go ahead and unplug them from your laptop in order to extend its battery usage. Try to rely on the laptop's built-in mouse/navigation rather than an external USB mouse. Otherwise, chances are you will need replacement laptop batteries much sooner than expected.
