Quick Reference Guide

CHAPTER5: Managing Power
68
Getting the most from your
batteries
Maximizing battery performance
To get maximum performance from your convertible notebook
batteries, we recommend that you initially condition (fully
charge and discharge) your new batteries a few times during
the first several weeks of use, to let them reach their maximum
rated capacity.
Over the long term, use the batteries at least once a month,
even if they were kept in a cool, dry place for storage, but avoid
frequent full discharges because this puts additional strain on
the batteries. Several partial discharges with frequent
recharges are better for a lithium-ion battery than one
complete discharge, and recharging a partially charged
lithium-ion battery does not cause harm because there is no
memory.
Conserving battery power
To conserve power while using the batteries to power your
convertible notebook:
• Turn off wireless networking and Bluetooth.
• Dim the display as low as is comfortable.
• Disconnect all external devices, like IEEE 1394 and USB
devices, and optical drives.
• Remove PCCards when you do not need them. Many
PCCards use a small amount of power while inserted,
even if they are not being used.
• Select the Power saver power plan to get maximum
power savings.
• Close the LCD panel to turn off the display while you are
not using your convertible notebook. The display stays
off until you open the panel again.
• Use Hibernate mode for maximum power savings while
your convertible notebook is not in use.
Tip
For more information about using power plans, see “Changing
convertible notebook power settings” on page71.