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    R61 Battery Life Poll/Thread

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by zoogle, Mar 23, 2008.

  1. zoogle

    zoogle Notebook Consultant

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    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
     
  2. JaYp146

    JaYp146 Newbie

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

    drjohn Notebook Consultant

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    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.
     
  4. gamemint

    gamemint Notebook Evangelist

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

    zoogle Notebook Consultant

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

    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.
     
  6. foo_ball76

    foo_ball76 Notebook Evangelist

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    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
     
  7. zoogle

    zoogle Notebook Consultant

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    Sounds pretty good from a 6 cell at half bright!
     
  8. foo_ball76

    foo_ball76 Notebook Evangelist

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    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.
     
  9. steve p

    steve p Notebook Evangelist

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    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)
     
  10. acruxksa

    acruxksa Notebook Consultant

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    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
     
  11. zoogle

    zoogle Notebook Consultant

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    Sounds great! It's interesting to see how the differences in processor type (merom vs. penryn), battery (7 cell vs. 6 cell), and graphics (X3100 vs. 140M) have all added up to give you the hour difference.