Books, "reading for the battery master Aspects
With the notebook computer prices fall, presumably there are many of my friends already have a Notebook. The mobile tool for the notebook, the overall performance and battery level of the pros and cons are inextricably linked, because the battery is a notebook computer, mobile office, one of the main support. It is as important as CPU, motherboard, hard drives and other components. The following will give us a presentation of all aspects of laptop computer batteries, hoping for better for everyone using a laptop computer help.
1, notebook PC battery Profile
Notebook computer battery is its flexibility and stability of the fundamental, mainstream notebook computer standard rechargeable battery system. Rechargeable battery system, including rechargeable batteries and power management systems. The laptop battery is also embodied an important part of portability.
Batteries used in notebook computers are three main categories: 1. Nickel-chromium batteries, 2. Ni-MH battery, 3. Lithium battery; they are generally expressed as: Ni-Cd Ni-Cd, Ni-MH Ni-MH, lithium Li.
The earliest use of notebook computers are Ni-Cd nickel-cadmium batteries, as battery technology was not advanced enough, so nickel-cadmium batteries have a lot of headaches, drawbacks such as: bulky, heavy weight, capacity, small, short life, there are memories of effect and so on. Therefore, the current nickel-cadmium batteries have basically been eliminated, the following detailed description is no longer it.
Then began to use nickel-metal hydride notebook (NlMH) batteries, this battery has a good price and large power, the same time, "Ni-MH battery is one of the most environmentally friendly battery, pay attention to environmental protection, countries have strongly advocated the use of nickel-metal hydride batteries, because the ease of recycling, and the damage to the environment are minimal. However, nickel-metal hydride batteries and lithium compared, there are still some disadvantages. charge a long time and a heavier weight capacity than a small lithium battery, the battery continued to discharge time too short, there is memory effect, and its memory, while not as big as nickel-cadmium batteries, but still need to discharge, the user must be exhausted before charging.
Ni-MH battery soon be lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery replacement. Lithium-Ion battery will have a long time ago, and began its use is not safe, we often see charging when burning, bursting, perhaps because of the sake of lithium element too active. Then there is an improved lithium-ion batteries, lithium can inhibit the added element of active ingredients, so that lithium really a safe, efficient, convenient, while the older Lithium-Ion battery also will be eliminated. They are also very simple distinction, from the battery label will be able to identify, lithium battery for Li, lithium-ion battery for Li-ion. Now, laptops to use the so-called lithium, in fact, lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion battery energy storage density, may at any time charge and continued to discharge a long time, generally about 3 hours. The size of the battery capacity of the main from the marked mAh (milliamp hours) to determine the value, such as the 3000mAh, 4000mAh and so on, value the greater the greater the capacity of the battery.
Of course, there are defects in lithium-ion batteries, such as charge and discharge times of high prices and less and so on. Lithium battery charging and discharging of the number of only 400-600 times, specially modified products, but many times 800. Charge once per day basis, the best lithium batteries, but more than two years. And nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries for more than 700 times to achieve certain quality and a good product charge and discharge up to 1,200 times, so that a comparison, the nickel-metal hydride battery live longer than the lithium batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries than the price of lithium batteries much lower. View of this, there is no perfect laptop batteries.
Common brands of laptop batteries the vast majority of the square. On the market also has a small number of ultra-thin notebook using cylindrical batteries, such as the SONY 505 series, Toshiba PROTEGE series. The weight of the battery varies according to the material and models, such as the size and shape of the same nickel-metal hydride and lithium electricity, the weight is far too small.
Volume size, mainly from the marked mAh battery to determine its Chinese name is mAh. MA hours the size of the notebook directly related to the use of time, but it can not be generalized. Battery life notebook configurations with a great relationship, for example Well, the HP 6100 notebook with a PIII-M, MOBILITY RADEON graphics cards and many other energy-saving technologies in hardware, with the 4000mAh battery, use of time up to 4 hours above. Using the Toshiba 1800 desktop CPU, although equipped with a 4500mAh battery, use of time can only reach 3 hours. Able to meet the needs of the general going out to work. This also indicates that the notebook battery mAh not only related to hardware, energy-saving technologies is very important.
2, notebook battery new energy-saving technologies
Achieved through the battery-powered mobile office is a laptop different from the desktop machine is an important feature, but the limited battery capacity of course, unlimited use of time can not meet the requirements of more and more notebook computers hardware configuration have an increased battery consumption The larger the battery from the notebook lithium batteries are still widely used after no major breakthroughs to cope with increasing power consumption at the same time to ensure that the use of a certain time, then the number of new technologies to save energy is extremely important to .
Notebook computers can be described as new technologies to save energy is coupled with dedicated hardware, the software is often used, here we have to tell you about the laptop power-saving technology.
(A) three kinds of notebook computer CPU power-saving technology
1. Intel SpeedStep Technology
Speed Step is to use an Intel CPU technology, the mobile Pentium-3 600Mhz after the mobile version of Pentium processor, Intel added a run by reducing the CPU frequency to achieve lower power consumption technology - SpeedStep. (Mobile Pentium M processor, Intel redesigned the technology called "enhanced SpeedStep") which allows the processor to work in two modes to switch freely between these two modes namely, when the alternating current state of The maximum performance mode (Maximum Performance Mode) and the battery state, battery optimization mode (Battery Optimized Mode). The so-called maximum performance mode is when the notebook computer and AC power connections, it can provide similar performance with the desktop; and battery optimization mode is used when the notebook computer batteries will give the performance of laptop battery time to play with their between the optimal balance. Such as the use SpeedStep technology, 650MHz and 600MHz processors, when they are the highest performance mode, you can respectively provide 650MHz and 600MHz operating frequency, while the battery-optimized mode, the processor's operating frequency is 500MHz.
Mobile Pentium Ⅲ or Pentium4 chips are used to automatically adjust dynamic frequency and voltage switches SpeedStep technology, which allows them to work at a higher frequency and battery power to switch between optimization. Notebook computer system BIOS is executed by CPU registration ID that CPU with SpeedStep feature article, in determining whether the notebook computer using AC power supply, after being, BIOS, and ASIC will be issued CPU instructions, and make it run in the corresponding mode Next, all of which will be completed within 500μm.
In fact, for users, if it is not loaded on the system platform, the new chart, SpeedStep technology is almost not visible. But in the background, SpeedStep technology really does take up running at a higher speed and longer battery life to find a balance between the responsibility. In order to enable users to understand the current working status, Intel's platform is set in the flag-shaped icon to indicate the mode of operation. In the absence of the special specified circumstances, unless the use of battery-powered, SpeedStep system default use of non-power operating modes. If you want custom settings, the user can control panel from the Windows power management in the project to achieve this functionality.
Today, SpeedStep technology has developed to the second generation, known as Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology. New technology has increased the automatic mode, super performance mode, battery-optimized performance mode
2. AMD PowerNow! Technology
This power management technology into different application needs, to increase or reduce the processor voltage and frequency, enabling the processor to better meet the needs of practical application, thereby to extend laptop battery life and extended battery life.
AMD PowerNow! Technology provides there are three kinds of operating modes: automatic mode (system monitoring applications, and make adjustments as necessary), high-performance mode (processor with the highest frequency and voltage operation) and power-saving mode (the processor to the lowest frequency and voltage operation, extended battery life time). However, the type of mode will depend on the number of different notebook manufacturers design.
3. LongRun Technology
LongRun technology is Transmete company has developed a power management technology, which is characterized by low power consumption provided to the processor is just enough voltage. The principle is the use of procedures to monitor the CPU is idle, if the idle voltage and frequency will be reduced in order to meet different needs.
4. The comparison of three kinds of power-saving technology,
As can be seen from the above that three kinds of CPU power-saving technology works much the same, are to minimize power consumption when the CPU is idle, the difference is mainly concentrated in three kinds of technology, the number of operating modes, power consumption and the actual performance of impact.
Obviously, Intel's SpeedStep technology provides 4 modes of operation, is the highest in three. However, the number of operating mode is not the better. Because it transferred from one mode to another mode takes some time, and the conversion mode will consume CPU resources, so the number of work patterns should be good enough.
Power consumption, the three kinds of power-saving technology, expressed in the normal state, CPU can remain at a low power consumption below 2W. Which, Transmete company adopts IongRun technology CPU power consumption as low as 0.1W, it is very prominent, but its performance is lost to AMD and Intel in the same grade CPU.
AMD PowerNow!, And Intel SpeedStep technology, power management, no clear winner in the former than the right Athlon4CPU the effectiveness of SpeedStep technology PentiumIII-MCPU more. Because Athlon4 processor heat more, so at the appropriate time for a break CPU can contribute to heat dissipation.
(B) a dedicated power management chips and a dedicated power management procedures
In order to maximize energy saving, technologically advanced manufacturers developed their own dedicated power management chips and a dedicated power management procedures.
1. IBM's proprietary power management chips and procedures for
IBM in its Pentium Ⅲ CPU-level notebook computer equipped with IBMPowerManagementDevice (short IBMPMDevice) a dedicated power management chips (need to install a dedicated driver to use). Used in conjunction with the chip power management program is BatteryMixer, it is included in the IBMConfigurationUtility. Install the program, it will appear in the system tray right side of a battery was placed horizontally, click on the battery there will be many options.
In the BatteryMixer in, IBM offers a number of the original set themes for different applications, users can define their own new theme to fit special needs. BatteryMixer can even detect rechargeable battery capacity, charge and discharge times and automatically determine the status of the battery, if we find poor state of the battery will be sent to remind users to IBM to be repaired.
As a result of their own design dedicated power management chips, BatteryMixer program even PCI bus power and the speed of CD-ROM can be adjusted, thereby to reduce power consumption.
2. Toshiba Power Management program
Toshiba's power management program is called PowerSaverUtility, this high-handedness of the program after installation, it will completely replace the Windows built-in power management, when the user tries to access the standard Windows power management program will be a warning should be used Toshiba's own PowerSaverUtility (available from the Windows "Control Panel" in the choice).
Toshiba's PowerSaverUtility to customize the powerful and famous, even the battery down to a different degree of options can be different.
In addition, users can even define drop to a certain percentage of electricity when the issue of custom voice prompt information or to start a program, this is science.
3. SONY Power Manager
PowerPanel power management procedures SONY Zeyi interface, known for beautiful and humane and in line with SONY's JogDial (Turning Point Pass) devices and special SONY NotebookSetupDevice hardware chips.
The use of PowerPanel, users can define their own different themes to suit their needs. Depletion of the battery is full and when, PowerPanel will appear humane tips (also can be customized). But also in the PowerPanel control, SONY laptop screen brightness when the switch, as unlike other brands - level one jump, but the brightness gradient.
If the notebook computer equipped with a second battery, PowerPanel allows users to set up the first with which a battery, and can be switched at any time. In addition, PowerPanel can also read the information on the battery internal records show that the current rechargeable battery capacity and charging number of times.
Third, how to properly charge the battery for notebook computers
Some lithium-ion batteries is equipped with notebook computers, the use of smart battery systems such as the SBS technology to accurately measure the battery life, so use this to worry some. Although the lithium-ion battery has many advantages, but to extend battery life and maintain long time power supply, but also need to master some professional charge method.
The new lithium-ion batteries bought in the initial use will be conducted three times a full charge and discharge, that is, fully charged battery at least once a power, then power exhausted, repeated three times before use. In order to activate the chemicals inside the battery, so that the electrochemical reaction inside the battery into the best condition, in the future be able to freely use the charge that is useful, but to ensure that within one month, the battery must be a complete discharge, so that the depth of discharge can stimulate the activation of the battery performance, battery life plays a key role. If more than 3 months the battery is not used again before using the same should also be carried out with the new battery charge and discharge completely three times to ensure that activate the battery.
If you use nickel-metal hydride batteries, which must control the charge time, should be careful not to frequent over-charging, otherwise it will shorten the battery life. In addition, the Ni-MH battery should be fully discharged before charging, the charging should also be fully charged, and in normal use before, but also required to complete three complete charge and discharge times.
Most users accustomed to using a laptop computer each time, plug the AC power supply, very little battery power for laptops. In fact, for at least a month should be used to power batteries once or twice, the battery completely run out, draw a line on a one-time full of alternating current. Remember this one, for rechargeable batteries will run out of power again full, useful and harmless, because the notebook computer lithium-ion batteries for use there is a certain inertia effect for a long time not to use lithium-ion loss of activity would need to re-activation. When the notebook computer when the indoor use of AC is best to remove the battery so that it always in charge state. The best off charging laptop, the battery can be fully charged, do not unplug the power in the charge half-way. Charging is completed, should be 30 minutes before use.
In addition, because the battery is very easy to run out of power, most notebook computers with only a battery, therefore, part of the pen so that the computer manufacturer has developed a fast charge feature that lets users run out of power after the supplement can be the fastest electric . For example, Dell notebook computer is equipped ExpressCharge feature, you can recharge in one hour more than 90%. To even the not 100% as well? Because according to charge and discharge characteristics of lithium batteries, if the current fast charge to 100%, the battery life on the big warning to shorten, so the back of 10% will be replaced by slow-fast-charge before the charge to extend battery life.
For the absence of such features as a standard laptop, the best way is to shut down charging, charging off shorter than the boot charging more than 30% of the charging time.
2. Windows in the energy-saving settings
For the average user, in the Windows system to operate a better understanding of energy management can be simpler. Windows Help file, in the "management of hardware and software" entries, there are two notebook computers with energy-saving elements relating to: "Managing energy consumption" and "use of portable machine" in the "management laptop on the power." Energy-saving settings during Windows, should read the contents.
In the Windows "Control Panel", click "power management", you can open the "Power Management Properties" dialog box. In the "Power Management Properties" dialog box, should be "power scheme" is set to "Portable / Laptop" and reasonable arrangement "system waiting for", "close the Monitors", "Turn off hard disks" and other options for . Different computer can control the option to have some differences, the new factory and the latest computer software will be more workable options, detailed settings should be based on the computer's own features and Windows Help files to carry out.
In addition, if your laptop built-in infrared port, not the time to ban it, it can be extended laptop battery life.
4 Alarm Set
Set battery alarm in time to give prompt the user to save the information. Way is to click on Open "Control Panel", double-click "Power" option, point "alarm" menu bar, "low-battery alarm" column, Windows 98 default is 10%, "a serious shortage of the battery alarm" column, Windows 98 default is 3 %, which may make the appropriate modifications as needed. Click both the [alarm response] button, the "voice alert" and "displays the message" are selected, "the power level" may from time to select. Alarm limits so that when the battery is used, it will pop up a warning window, and the alarm buzzer sounds to alert the user to save information on a timely manner. Finally click [OK] button to exit the power management settings.
5 Open the energy-saving function
In the "extended laptop battery life technology" section, we have introduced energy-saving feature is the use of a CPU technology, which allows the performance make notebook PCs to play with their battery life between the time to achieve the best balance.
Most new models of notebook computers both in the BIOS of the CPU energy-saving technology have given the support, by default is turned on, if not open as long as the enter the BIOS will support the option to open it OK.
6 the use of third-party software to monitor battery status
In addition to Windows built-in power management features, there are many utilities available to monitor the battery condition. For example, PowerCenter is a power monitoring tool available for free download (http://me MBers.xoom.
com / TimothyBug / powercenter / index.htm). Only 800KB, is designed for notebook computer services software. In addition to the amount of PowerCenter shows the percentage of battery, but also to show the actual time and hours of time can be used.
PowerCenter total of three kinds of display.
(1) FullDisplay: In the open window displays detailed information, including the use of battery or AC power, the battery percentage and the remaining time available.
(2) CompactDisplay: in use is always at the top of the window display.
(3) MinimizeDisplay: make PowerCenter reduced to the Windows task bar, display the information is relatively simple.
PowerCenter is also attached to a control center, can be made up to six kinds of warning. When the battery - down to a certain level, a timely warning to the user, save the file being processed. In order not to waste electricity and CPU resources, PowerCenter automatically detect the battery status changes.
7, deliberately run out of battery
Run out of battery on a regular basis in order to ensure a full charge. If you need to completely run out of battery power in the specific practice is: In the Power Management dialog box, select Battery Drain this particular power mode, all of its 3 Running on Batteries options are set to Never, this notebook computer on the will continue to run. Select the mode, and then enter the Alarms tab to lift the Low Battery and Critical Battery Warning check box is a check mark (so, when the battery power is low, the machine will not enter the suspended state). Next, let the computer run the CPU-time tasks, such as the computer automatically run a number of computational complexity of the 3D demo program, so soon run out of battery power remaining, of course, these disposal not forget to unplug the AC plug.
8, acerun: yes "> battery update program to restore the battery discharge time
Big-brand notebooks have a battery refresh program, we can use it to repair the battery. For example: a IBMThinkpad390/262650-based notebook computers, are fitted with nickel-metal hydride batteries (Ni-Mh) batteries, due to normal charge and discharge properly, leading to the battery discharge time is shorter, leaving less than 5 minutes, if the bring notebook computers to work, then it is very inconvenient, what methods can restore the battery discharge time?
In response to these circumstances, we can use the IBM has launched a battery refresh program to refresh the battery put it back in discharge time, specifically as follows.
(1) the use of AC power to the notebook computer, first to ftp://fip. pc. ibm. com/pub/pccbbs/mobiles/isbr01ww. exe download software provided by IBM notebook computer batteries TP390/390e/390x refresh program.
(2) Restart the computer, press F8 key to enter boot menu and select safe DOS mode.
(3) to enter the directory where the file you just downloaded, the implementation of the battery refresh program isbr0lww, exe, reading a warning message, by asking you to insert a floppy disk, and then press the Enter key to the implementation of the self-extracting operation.
(4) boot floppy disk with this computer, the screen appears StartingPC-DOS. . . Tips.
(5) Follow the prompts to unplug the AC power, the program will automatically pairs of Ni-Mh battery discharge, discharge is completed, the system will automatically shut down.
(6) As the battery temperature is higher at this time should not immediately start, let the battery cool for a while, the plug in AC power.
(7) to guide the computer with the floppy disk, this Autoexec. bat file will run automatically refresh program, and asks the user whether to proceed. Select yes, press the Enter key, this time, refresh the program began to refresh the battery, the process quickly, when the return to DOS prompt A:> when that refresh has been completed, shut down your computer, and recharge the batteries , until the green indicator light up.
Repeat the above procedure three times to get the best results; Also, many battery pack lithium battery failure is the failure of a power-saving result of the core, this phenomenon can not be avoided. Because each section of the battery core properties can not be fully consistent with some of the quality of somewhat less long after the beginning of aging and the undermining of the whole (series after) the discharge curve. Interest and ability readers can try to open the battery pack, in the multimeter's help, you can quickly find the damaged batteries (abnormal voltage). If conditions permit, according to the corresponding parameters of the replacement batteries can be qualified product.
9, notebook battery maintenance
1. When no external power supply situation, if the working conditions at the time being less than PCMCIA card slot, it is recommended to remove the card first to extend battery life.
2. At room temperature (20-30 degrees) for the battery of the most suitable working temperature, the temperature is too high or too low operating environment will reduce the battery life.
3. Can provide a stable power supply in the environment using a laptop computer, remove the battery for extended battery life is affected by incorrect. On the Asus notebooks, when the battery fully charged, the battery charging circuit will automatically shut down, so the phenomenon of overcharging does not occur.
4. Suggested an average of three months to conduct a battery power correction action.
5. To minimize the number of battery
The number of battery charge and discharge is directly related to life on one charge, the battery on a step forward to retirement. Suggest that you try to use an external power supply.
6. Use an external power supply when the battery removed.
Some users often several times a day Plug Power, and notebook computers equipped with a battery, to do so, even greater damage to the battery. Because each access to external power supply is equivalent to the battery charge time, battery life shortened by a naturally.
7. Power exhaustion after the charge and avoid charging time is too long
Whether your notebook to use nickel-metal hydride or lithium-electric power, it must take charge after the exhaustion of power (capacity less than 1%), which is the best way to avoid the memory effect. Lithium-Ion battery memory effect will be the same, but it is the memory effect than nickel-metal hydride smaller Bale.
8. Usually Caution
When used in peacetime to prevent exposure to prevent damp to prevent the erosion of chemical liquids, avoid contact with the battery contacts with metal objects, etc. happen.
10, laptop battery purchase
Notebook PC's battery life - generally no more than 3 to 4 years, it may be the most likely users to use the process to replace things. Two years after the use of notebook computers, you will find faster and faster battery consumption. If possible, you can replace the old batteries for new batteries to ensure that the computer stability.
When you need to replace the notebook computer batteries, preferably selected the same model to replace the battery. However, if the old computer using a nickel-metal hydride batteries, in order to make longer battery-powered, of course, can also be specified by the computer user's manual or manufacturers recommended models use lithium batteries. Because, although nickel-metal hydride batteries are cheap, but there are memory effect, but also in the same capacity under the weight ratio of lithium batteries, while on lithium batteries have no memory effect, light weight, long time power supply, etc., has become a standard notebook computer batteries . This stage, the notebook-use lithium batteries due to the different manufacturers are also in the power of time there is a certain gap between friends in the purchase process should be noted that different brands on the difference between the battery, the best among the several brands compare.
In addition to the battery manufacturers declared performance of the power supply time, but also need attention to its capacity. Battery capacity is usually AH (ampere-hour, ampere-hour) basis, the current laptop is the most common with about 4000AH, but also ordinary batteries can last for 2 hours. In addition to battery-powered time by a whole set of computer power and cooling effects of such factors, the screen size (the bigger the more power), screen brightness, as well as the implementation of the work and so will affect the power of time .
Now the price of laptop battery up and down the ocean in 1000, accounting for the overall notebook price 10% - about some ultra-thin models is even higher. The battery warranty period, Paul 3 months, there are security for half a year, the longest, but also a year; the reason why the battery warranty time is short is because the laptop battery are easily consumable and the frequency of recharging is a constant, with a little time. Moreover, the notebook battery and other hardware different, there is no room can be repaired, only its place. Products for such a long period of warranty (replacement), intangibles on the increased burden on manufacturers, so before buying notebooks must ask about the battery warranty period and conditions.
Also in buying second-hand laptop computers and do not forget to try it when the machine how long the battery can continue to work. Under normal circumstances, the use of a year or two after the notebook computer is fully charged, the nickel-metal hydride battery can support about computers at work for about 1 hour, lithium-ion battery can support for nearly three hours, but in relation to a new battery in terms of the demand is already very low, and reach the target on the battery from the end of life far away.
