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From: B Geres (no email)
Date: Fri Jan 23 2004 - 17:39:52 EST
alan.pound wrote:
> Battery life on laptops has always been an issue,
> and there are many laptops
> now with 2 to 3 times more useful battery life.
> Some of this is due to
> advances in battery technology, but much of it is
> due to the increased size
> of the laptop market, resulting in a much greater
> focus on low-power
> technology (Pentium-M etc).
No question the Pentium M's are exceptional where
battery power is concerned. I bought a Thinkpad T-40
(centrino) for my own use recently and find it draws
less power than most any other machine I've had (short
of my ancient "Butterfly" 701-CS Thinkpad (with 486
processor). In contrast, all the Pentium 4's I've
checked are terrible hogs, drawing a lot of power and
running hot (which requires loud fans that also draw
in moist air).
I'd much rather have a PII or PIII than a Pentium 4.
Most of the systems I help cruisers install these days
aren't new. I'm currently recommending older Thinkpads
and, if the boat owner expresses concern about damage
due to splash or rough handling, I'll point them to a
Panasonic Toughbook instead. I had a Toughbook aboard
myself recently and it tolerated all sorts of abuse
for 5 years. I don't have much experience with
Toshiba, but I've heard only good things from people
who use them.
> Well, constantly trying to charge a leaky/dead
> battery will take more
> current than just running the computer, but it is
> not the case if the
> battery is good - it will just stay charged, with
> next to no additional
> current drawn.
I can only speak from my personal experience, but when
metered by a Link 10 aboard my boat, without
exception, I've seen laptops draw slightly less power
when their batteries are physically removed. My new
T-40 produces the same results.
However, your point about the battery helping protect
the unit against surge/brownout is a valid one and on
a boat with an engine (or other potentially dirty
power supply) that insurance might well outweigh the
slight cost in draw.
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