bottom Extended Battery for X40 or change Power Managment?

[red bioroid]

I'm having a dilemma here:

1. How do you change the CPU mhz settings on the X40 to conserve power on a 4cell standard battery; I can't compromise any other settings? I currently get 1 hour and 45 minutes unplugged at normal laptop power. I sit in class for 4 hours straight. Would I get like 4 hours of battery time with the change in settings? Would I be able to run MS Office , IE, and Outlook just fine?

2. I was thinking of getting the bottom 8 cell extended battery. I would assume this gives me a total of 12 cell battery. Do you just insert that 8 cells while the laptop is on, or do you have to turn off the laptop to do it. The 8 cells is rated at 1 pound and I won't have to bring my power cord to class with me. Did having the extra battery make the laptop height unconfortable to use and any weight issues if carrying it? How much battery time would I get if I run at reduced CPU settings versus normal laptop power settings(preferable)?


What do you guys prefer I do? I rather keep the laptop light if I can keep reasonable laptop speed for 4 hours?

[The Spirit of X21]

If the battery has been used regularly for the last year or so, two hours sounds reasonable. You can try to set the computer to Super Power Saver by clicking on the green battery icon in the taskbar, but you probably won't see a noticeable difference.

Regarding the 8-cell; yes, you can attach it to the machine while it is on. I used a coworker's X41T for several days and I did not think that the extended battery made it uncomfortable to use at all, but of course this is a matter of personal preference. Both batteries were used, so I had an average runtime of 6 to 7 hours. While I can't tell you what a pair of new batteries could accomplish, the runtime would probably be more than that.

[red bioroid]

Thanks guys. I think I'll buy the extended battery and give it a try.

I hate carrying the extra weight but then again I won't have to carry the power cord to the cafes and library; the laptop will be truly portable.

[red bioroid]

I only got about 4 hours on my standard 4cell plus the new extended battery. The extended battery is maybe about a 4cell(and not 8cell equivalent as I hoped).

This was from after fully charged the extended battery the first time and keeping my power setting the same as prior to having the extended battery. Strange, I was hoping for 6 hours of power.

[asiafish]

The extended battery is a 4 cell, giving you a TOTAL of 8 cells. Swap your regular 4 cell for an 8 cell, THEN attach the extended battery for a total of 12 cells. My X41 so configured runs for about 8 or 9 hours, an X40 should do a little better.

[red bioroid]

Thanks Asiafish for the validation and correction of how to get 12 cells.

I think I'll stick with my 8cell total, that I current have and bring the power cord when I'm in class taking a test, as I can't leave to chance my batteries going out. I've decided to lower the CPU power needs and hard drive , to maximize battery life .

Do you have an opinion on the battery threshold % , per my other post?

[asiafish]

Not really, I just use the standard profiles and pick the power savings one for long flights and max performance when AC is nearbye.

[The Spirit of X21]

The extended battery is a 4 cell, giving you a TOTAL of 8 cells.

Mother of pearl! Apologies and thanks to asiafish for the clarification...

[andrewb]

I find I can comfortably achieve 5 plus hours with the 8 cell on my X41.

One aspect I have noticed is that WWAN significantly reduces this time, even where a card is inserted but the machine is not connected to a network.

[asiafish]

It helps to disable EVERYTHING that isn't in use. I always turn off my wifi for a long session on batteries, and before a flight I'll even disable the ethernet, modem, SD slot, PC card slot and set the processor as slow as it goes and the screen at 1 or 2 bars (zero when the cabin lights are off).

So configured my best on the 8 cell is 5:45, and 8:30 with the extended battery added to the mix. This is on a 1.5GHz X41 with 1.5GB of RAM. X40 should run significantly longer on a charge (Sonoma was a real step back, imo).

[seneca]

You need to install NHC, Notebook hardware Control.

And undervolt your cpu, that'll give you alot more batterylife.

Both my batteries, the 4cell original and the 4cell extended life battery are really worn down, 44% wear level. Combined, they give me 2½hours of wireless browsing time at full brightness.

But only when using NHC and 0.6V@600mhz.

When both batteries were practically new, they gave me approx 4½hours of wireless browsing/putty- time.

I also have the 8cell battery, that one also gives me 4½hours.
So combined with the worn 4cell extended life battery, I get about 5½hours with 12cells.