You probably need to compare specific machine numbers.

The Pentium M can be throttled back much more than the P4 in laptops. It's a great laptop chip. But Linux support isn't as seamless as under Win2k.

I bought the Extra Life battery and the UltraBay battery (replaces the CD-RW). I usually just use the big main battery - it sticks out the back a little. I haven't done any test recently, but I think I can easily get 5+ hours out of it doing wireless stuff under Win2k. With both batteries under Win2k the meter said the life should be ~ 8 hours (with some of the power saving stuff turned on).

Under MEPIS, the power-saving stuff apparently isn't configured right. I think it's running full speed and the life with the big battery is ~ 3-4 hours. I haven't tried to figure out what needs to be configured...

I haven't noticed any degradation in the battery, but I don't use the laptop that often (it sits for a couple of weeks at a time sometimes, other times it's used every evening).

I think I got the batteries from a store on eBay.

HTH.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #203,891 by Another Scott 4/19/05 11:34:24 AM Reply	You probably need to compare specific machine numbers. All T40s aren't alike. E.g. My T41 has a/b/g wireless and Bluetooth. I think some others were b only or didn't have Bluetooth. Theh hardware (and thus the drivers) can differ for nominally the same model. You need to compare the numbers like T237372U (for that refurbished T40) that identify a particular combination of features. That number is also sometimes good for searching for Linux tips and/or better prices on [link\|http://froogle.google.com/froogle\|Froogle] and the like. In this case though little shows up for that particular T40. Luck! Cheers, Scott.
Post #203,892 by ben_tilly 4/19/05 11:45:02 AM Reply	Point. How has your battery life been? I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
Post #203,898 by Another Scott 4/19/05 12:06:03 PM Reply	Can't complain. The Pentium M can be throttled back much more than the P4 in laptops. It's a great laptop chip. But Linux support isn't as seamless as under Win2k. I bought the Extra Life battery and the UltraBay battery (replaces the CD-RW). I usually just use the big main battery - it sticks out the back a little. I haven't done any test recently, but I think I can easily get 5+ hours out of it doing wireless stuff under Win2k. With both batteries under Win2k the meter said the life should be ~ 8 hours (with some of the power saving stuff turned on). Under MEPIS, the power-saving stuff apparently isn't configured right. I think it's running full speed and the life with the big battery is ~ 3-4 hours. I haven't tried to figure out what needs to be configured... I haven't noticed any degradation in the battery, but I don't use the laptop that often (it sits for a couple of weeks at a time sometimes, other times it's used every evening). I think I got the batteries from a store on eBay. HTH. Cheers, Scott.

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