User's Manual Chapter 4

4-5
Power Management
In order to make the most of the mobile computing capabilities of your
notebook, you will need to be aware of how to manage the power consumption
of your system. Aggressive power conservation can provide extended
computer usage. Sometimes aggressive power conservation will not be
needed, or you might prefer not to engage it. You should set the default to
match your most common needs. If you use the system primarily as a mobile
system with long-term battery needs, you can use an aggressive setting. If your
battery usage is usually limited, then you might prefer a more moderate
setting. Remember, to reset the default, you must use the System
Configuration Utility program described in Chapter 3.
Your computer is installed with two kinds of power management. One is
transparent, and operates automatically. The other kind is user-programmable,
and you can program how it operates.
Transparent Power Management
Your system is designed to use the Windows Advanced Power Management
(APM) program to transparently reduce system power consumption.
Whenever the processor inside your computer is inactive for a short time, the
transparent power manager idles the processor so that it consumes less power.
When the processor resumes working, it returns to full speed almost
instantaneously with no loss of performance. This kind of power management
is transparent and automatic, and can save a great deal of energy.
Thermal Management
The processor in this computer is extremely powerful. Consequently, it
generates quite a lot of heat when it is working at full speed. Your computer
has an efficient thermal design, which dissipates this heat safely in normal
conditions. If, however, the computer is in an extremely hot environment, and
the processor is working at full speed for sustained periods, the temperature of
the processor may approach a critical level, which could damage the computer.
Your computer monitors the processor’s temperature. Before critical
temperatures can be generated your computer automatically turns on the
internal cooling fan until the heat problem disappears. You may notice the
sound of the fan when this procedure occurs.
Programmable Power Management
There are two programmable power management systems available to you.