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    HDD battery drain

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by DrMcNinja, Jun 27, 2012.

  1. DrMcNinja

    DrMcNinja Notebook Guru

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    Hey guys,

    I am planning to buy a laptop, most probably a Sager or something similar, where I can customize the build. I know I want an SSD for my main drive. But I am not sure if I should also get an HDD. I would like the extra space but I also want as long battery life as possible. So my question:
    Does anyone know, what effect does an idling 7200rpm HDD (e.g. the one in newest Sagers) have on battery life? Is it noticeable? If so, then I think I'd rather have 1 HDD + empty caddy, and buy an external for my music, etc.

    I would really like an answer based on experience (and hopefully even with some numbers to support it), rather than just pure speculation.

    Thanks!
     
    DrMcNinja, Jun 27, 2012
    #1
  2. Syberia

    Syberia Notebook Deity

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    Well, on my old Y560, it was quite significant - from 2.5 with HDD to 3-3.5 hours with SSD. I've never run my Y470 with an HDD, so I can't compare.
     
    Syberia, Jun 27, 2012
    #2
  3. HopelesslyFaithful

    HopelesslyFaithful Notebook Virtuoso

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    hard drives do not use very much battery unless being used. so if your storing files and using it randomly it will not affect battery life. If you have a 10 hour battery life for a laptop then you might notice a 30 min drop but it is still pushing it. They use a very small amount of power. If you can get two hardrive get an SSD and a hybrid drive. Newegg has an awesome sale right now on one of the best SSDs 190 bucks for a samsung 256GB. I would buy that now because you are not going to get much better of a deal then that in the near future.

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/not...d-w-promo-code-deal-expires-06-28-2012-a.html

    deal ends tomorrow unless supplies run out

    Also depends on your usage. if 256 GB is enough for you cool but most people it is not. between music movies games and what not 256GB goes fast
     
    HopelesslyFaithful, Jun 27, 2012
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  4. DrMcNinja

    DrMcNinja Notebook Guru

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    Thanks, guys! That helps. I think what I'm going to do is get a build with an HDD, and buy an SSD separately for less. I just checked and Crucial M4 is $190 too (as a regular price), and I've heard good things about it.
    I would probably take this but I'm most likely not going to buy a laptop till September. So it seems a bit early.
     
    DrMcNinja, Jun 27, 2012
    #4
  5. Qing Dao

    Qing Dao Notebook Deity

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    Just set your drives to shut off after some time of inactivity and it won't be sucking any power.
     
    Qing Dao, Jun 27, 2012
    #5
  6. DrMcNinja

    DrMcNinja Notebook Guru

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    Um, but that's only possible if the laptop/motherboard allows it, right? I'm not aware of such a feature in Windows. Do most new laptops have this, or just certain models?
     
    DrMcNinja, Jul 6, 2012
    #6
  7. iaTa

    iaTa Do Not Feed

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    Just use hdparm to put it to sleep after 30 seconds or so.
     
    iaTa, Jul 6, 2012
    #7