Ways to make your laptop's battery last longer

A post on TechRadar about 7 ways to make your laptop battery last longer (found via Digg) is an interesting list, and brings forward something we might be taking for granted - A lot of people are using their laptops as main computers. Has this changed the way we use computers?

Firstly, there is the fundamental change - the mobility. You can take your computer with you in a backpack, and pop it on in a Starbucks near you, and work there. You can go and sit at any place that offers free Wi-Fi access.

That mobility is dependent on power supply, be it battery or a wall socket. Since one cannot depend on finding a free power socket in every coffeeshop with Wi-Fi access, laptop users most times have to depend on their battery for power.

That is where the longevity of your battery kicks in. If it lasts a long time, enough for your surfing needs, you will not need a power socket at all. However, if it fails in the middle of your use, you would want to find an alternate power source as soon as possible.

So, what can you do? Well, you can start by checking the list on TechRadar. Another thing you can do is to check the battery life expectancy before buying a laptop, and let that be one of the determining factors of which brand and model to buy.