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tommohawk · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:28 pm Post subject: Laptop Batteries

Why is it that my laptop battery lasts about twice as long under Linux than under Windows?

It's not that I am looking for answers, its just I am a bit curious? Is Linux really that that much more efficient (in terms of processor usage etc) that it just uses fewer system resources and hence less power?

Well, maybe not twice as long but certainly significantly longer!
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shifty_ben · Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 1:24 am Post subject: RE: Laptop Batteries

Alternatively it could just be that Linux warns you of a low battery later than Windows. I noticed the same thing when i first got my laptop, though I couldn't say how big the gap is as I havent had Windows on here in a long time, something that I am incredibly pleased about Very Happy

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M-Saunders · Moderator Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:14 pm Posts: 2881

It could be using different power-saving schemes to Windows. When I installed Ubuntu on my new laptop, it defaulted to spinning down the hard drive after 5 seconds of inactivity! A bit aggressive methinks -- and also very annoying. Every time I did something that touched the disc, it'd take a few seconds to spin up. Sorted that out with hdparm -S Smile

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roeleboel · Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 4:29 pm Posts: 46

Mike,

that hdparm -S thing, do you set that like this:
sudo hdparm -S=241 hda (for 1/2 hour waiting)? The man page is not very clear about this.

regards
Roel
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roeleboel · Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 4:29 pm Posts: 46

Already found it:
sudo hdparm -S 241 /dev/hda Wink

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