Using The Battery Power; Power-Saving Modes - Lenovo ThinkPad T450s User Manual

Using the battery power

Before you use the battery power, ensure that you read the following notices:
• "General battery notice" on page x
• "Notice for removable rechargeable battery" on page x
• "Notice for built-in rechargeable battery" on page xi
It is hard to predict the battery life between charges. Different computer components consume power at
different rates. Some components consume power very quickly, for example, the computer display, the
microprocessor, and the wireless radios. The more you use the power-intensive components, the faster you
consume power.
The battery is a consumable supply. If your battery begins to discharge too quickly, you might consider
getting a new one from Lenovo. To contact Lenovo, see Chapter 11 "Getting support" on page 145.
Checking the battery status
The battery-status icon in the Windows notification area displays the percentage of battery power remaining.
To check for detailed battery status information, do the following:
• For Windows 7: Start the Power Manager program and click the Battery tab.
• For Windows 8.1: Start the Lenovo Settings program and click Power.
Charging the battery
It is recommended that you charge the battery when the battery power remaining is low. For example:
• When you find that the percentage of the remaining power is low.
• When the power alarm alerts you.
To charge the battery, see "Using the ac power" on page 31.
Depending on the battery size and the physical environment, the battery will be fully charged in about three
to six hours. You can check the battery charging status at any time through the battery-status icon in
the Windows notification area.
Note: To maximize the life of the battery, the computer does not start recharging the battery if the remaining
power is greater than 95%.
Maximizing the battery life
To maximize the life of the battery, do the following:
• Use the battery until the charge is depleted.
• Recharge the battery completely before using it. You can see whether the battery is fully charged from the
battery-status icon in the Windows notification area.
• Always use power-saving modes, such as sleep mode and hibernation mode.

Power-saving modes

There are several modes that you can use at any time to conserve power. This section introduces each
mode and gives tips on the effective use of battery power.
• Screen blank mode (for Windows 7 only)
The computer display requires considerable battery power. To turn off the power to the display and make
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User Guide