Recommendations on laptops with most efficient / longest battery life?

[Mateo1041]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to buy a laptop, but an important requirement is that it have a decent battery life. Ideally I'd say that is 4+ hours, but I may be able to settle for slightly less. Does anyone have any suggestions on laptops with good and efficient power usage?

It would be so helpful to simply have a list of the top ones from which I could choose rather than browing random laptops in hopes I'll find something I like. Perhaps there are websites out there that have already done this?

Thanks,
- Matt.

 

[cdogg]

A combination of Intel's Centrino and the most powerful lithium-ion battery available should yield at least 4 hours of average use.

~cdogg
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[paparazi]

Dito! Look for Centrino or other "specific mobile processor" They are designed to be power saving and extend battery life.
Together with a high capacity Lithium-ion battery.
Remember, the higher the spec, they greater the battery consumption, so if there is a specific line of laptops you are looking, the lower end ones (say 2.4ghz instead of 3.0ghz) with the same battery capacity will last longer (obviously)
Martin


We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[Mateo1041]

Since my post here, I've done some looking and have seriously thought about getting a laptop with a better video card (I do some periodic 3D gaming and am scared of shared video memory) that is dedicated and purchasing a special battery to compensate. From what I found, the only laptops with dedicated memory are the non-Centrino ones.

Anyone have any thoughts regarding the following battery?

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=317076&pfp=SEARCH

I'd been thinking of using it in conjunction with this:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=317676&pfp=cat3

While I don't think it physically attaches to the laptop, the battery could easily fit into a carrying case or briefcase if needed.

 

[cdogg]

Matt,
Understand that for high-end GPU usage (3D rendering), battery life will take a serious hit. Unlike working in an Office document or watching a DVD, 3D processing sucks up power.

There are Centrino (Pentium M) notebooks out there that have standalone ,dedicated video memory. I just took a quick look at Dell Notebooks that are on sale right now. The Inspiron 9300 series has PCI Express upgradable graphics.

~cdogg
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