R61 Battery Life Poll/Thread

[zoogle]

This is a thread to give myself, other R61 users, and potential buyers a good idea of what kind of battery life to expect with different configurations. I'd like to know the following:

1. Battery Life (Hour + 15 min interval estimate)
2. Typical Use the measurement was made under
3. Battery Type (4,6,7,9 cell)
4. Processor
5. Video (Integrated vs. Discrete)
6. Harddrive rpm
7. Screen size and brightness setting


To kick things off, my personal observations have been
1. 5:30 hrs on ~90% charge
2. Internet Browsing, IM Chat, word processing
3. 9-cell
4. T5450
5. Integrated
6. 5400rpm
7. 14.1", 4/15 bars

[JaYp146]

Exactly what I'm looking for (seriously considering an R61i, myself). Would love any input possible from fellow forum members..

[drjohn]

Originally Posted by JaYp146

Exactly what I'm looking for (seriously considering an R61i, myself). Would love any input possible from fellow forum members..

I've got a 14.1" widescreen R61 with the 6-cell battery, running WinXP.

Although I've never run it down to less than 40% before plugging it back in, the Lenovo Power Manager software tells me that I'd get roughly 4~4.25 hrs doing my typical web surfing via wireless. Screen brightness is probably 3-4 bars less than max. Not too scientific but I hope it helps.

BTW, I had expected that I'd use the R61 on AC most of the time and almost went for the 4-cell battery, but because it was so cheap to upgrade to the 6-cell I did it. Now that I have it, I realize that I carry it all around the house using it almost all the time on battery, only plugging it back in when I'm done to recharge it for the next session. So the bulkier 6-cell battery suits my use better, although I prefer the aesthetics of the flush 4-cell.

[gamemint]

with 9 cell I get 5 -5 1/2 hours on regular settings

[zoogle]

Originally Posted by drjohn

So the bulkier 6-cell battery suits my use better, although I prefer the aesthetics of the flush 4-cell.

If you think the 6-cell is bulky, imagine the 9-cell sticking out the back .

Another setting I use pretty often is 3 bars of brightness, and just PDF, word processing, and MATLAB coding. I turn off the WiFi in these conditions and running from 95% charge, it gets around 6:45 on the 9-cell. I always make it so that the processor on battery can go to the maximum performance level as needed so it's not throttled at all.

[foo_ball76]

3.25-3.75 hours before 10% warning hits
Websurfing, word processing, WMP 11 (w/ earbuds), wifi is always on
6 Cell
C2D 5250
Integrated
5400RPM
15.4" 1/2 brightness

[zoogle]

Originally Posted by foo_ball76

3.25-3.75 hours before 10% warning hits
Websurfing, word processing, WMP 11 (w/ earbuds), wifi is always on
6 Cell
C2D 5250
Integrated
5400RPM
15.4" 1/2 brightness

Sounds pretty good from a 6 cell at half bright!

[foo_ball76]

Originally Posted by zoogle

Sounds pretty good from a 6 cell at half bright!

I am very pleased with the battery life. I had planned on buying a 9 cell down the line but after I received the laptop it was more than I expected. It is usually around 3.00-3.25 hours now, 3.75 when it sits for a while during class or something.

[steve p]

Originally Posted by zoogle

This is a thread to give myself, other R61 users, and potential buyers a good idea of what kind of battery life to expect with different configurations. I'd like to know the following:

1. Battery Life (Hour + 15 min interval estimate)
2. Typical Use the measurement was made under
3. Battery Type (4,6,7,9 cell)
4. Processor
5. Video (Integrated vs. Discrete)
6. Harddrive rpm
7. Screen size and brightness setting


To kick things off, my personal observations have been
1. 5:30 hrs on ~90% charge
2. Internet Browsing, IM Chat, word processing
3. 9-cell
4. T5450
5. Integrated
6. 5400rpm
7. 14.1", 4/15 bars

1. 4:15 ~98% charge
2. Internet(Wi-Fi), word processing
3. 7 cell
4. T7300
5. Integrated(X3100)
6. 5400 rpm
7. 14.1", ~70%(any dimmer bothers me)

[acruxksa]

1. 3:20 hrs on ~95% charge, Vista64
2. Internet Browsing, e-mail, attached usb mouse and usb thumbdrive.
3. 6-cell
4. T9300
5. nvidia 140M
6. 5400rpm
7. 14.1", 4/15 bars