T400 - 9cell, 9+hrs really?

can any t400 owners vouche that it can actually last this long?


I'm gonna cancel my x61 order for t400 if it does.

 

the review on notebookreview sais over 9 hours - so yes, over 9 hours.


that means someone actually tested it, etc and didnt just go by the manufacturer's rating

 

abc1987 gets 4 hours on his 6-cell

s2000hku got 6 hours with 9 cell

Kevin got "9+ hours" with 9 cell

 

so Lenovo's batteries vary?

or are these users have different options running?


also, a p8400 should run longer than t9600 right?

 

From Kevin's T400 review:

So yes, doing anything but basic tasks will bring down battery life.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=289619

has some posts from people who got their t400, you can PM/ask them.

s2000hku said he was "surfing, email, editing pics;" No mention on which graphics was used.

 

I get about 6 hours on my 6 cell just surfing the web and e-mail. I haven't run any controlled tests but I would say 9 hours for a 9 cell is not unreasonable given my experience.

 

we should make like a list of all the various times

 

9+ hours is definitely possible but depends on usage. If you're surfing with wireless that'll drain some of your life. The type of hard drive you chose can also vary your results, SSD > 5400 RPM > 7200 RPM. Then there's screen brightness. Even which browser you choose can affect results since it'll require more processing power.

 

I managed to squeeze out 30 more mins by setting CPU speed to lowest. Getting 4.5 hrs to 4 hrs 45mins on a 6 cell.

HD type is 5400rpm, i was surfing on wireless, using microsoft powerpoint, typing, bluetooth off, brightness 2 bars, speakers mute.

 

It's with ATi card running XP

 

What about when you use the integrated graphics? That should improve your battery life, right?

 

Oh I forgot to mention I was using the integrated graphics. There's an 45 minute to 1 hour difference in battery life between using integrated and discrete graphics for me.

 

FWIW, browsing the web can be quite CPU intensive nowadays—especially with all the Adobe Flash stuff. As such, I tend to leave Flash disabled when I browse and the result is longer battery life, less fan noise, less distractions and a happier user. More detail on this can be found at http://gizmodo.com/5022632/psa-turn-off-flash-when-working-on-laptop-power.

 

Just one thing about these CPU comments, Kevin's review unit had a T9600, a 35W processor when he got these scores.

 

He had a typo that listed two processors: in the conclusion he listed T9400 but in the specs he had T9600.

owkia gets 4-6 hours on his 6 cell:

 

Either way both the T9400 and T9600 are both 35W processors, so the processor element of Kevin's machine shouldn't be the reason for his long battery life. I wonder how long the life is with one of those P series processors. Or if it even makes a difference when just browsing the internet and using word.

 

are the new T series processor still part of the MONTEVINA platform?

 

^yes, they have higher FSB.

 

The difference is just the clock speed and power consumption. The Montevina T series use 35w at full load, and have more cache plus higher clock speeds. At idle, the difference between the P and new T should be negligible.

 

My processor's a T9400. And when I first turn it on the time remaining on the battery jumps around, from 2hours at first to about 4 to 4 hrs and 45 mins.

Thanks BinkNR for the link, I'll try it out tomorrow in school and see the difference.

 

Intel's datasheet 32012001 shows that the P series CPUs have lower maximum acceptable currents than the T series (and more current = more power). That's not so say that power efficient T series CPUs do not exist, but the P series increases the chances of getting a better battery time.

These CPU power consumption variations within the specified tolerances means that there is no certainty of anyone achieving the longest reported battery times. Hence the manufacturer's claims of "up to x hours". Anything less complies with the claim.

John

 

I'm just guessing T9600 because the benchmarks showed T9600 @ 2.8gHz

 

Did you guys use onboard video graphics or did you use the ATI graphics card when you was testing battery life?

 

It was the onboard video graphics that reached 9hrs.

 

Update : I turned off wireless and I got 6 hours on my 6 cell. Was doing typing and scrolling in powerpoint only.

 

I think 4 hours approx. is a realistic time for daily use.

 

there's no way in hell I can get 6hours on my 6cell...

No REALISTIC way; i get about 3 to 4 hours max.

 

6 hours on my 9 cell about average use, on integrated, with low brightness


(ive heard my lenovo b/g) wireless card could be the issue, anyone else here with crappy times have the base card also?)

 

definetly possibe, i always have wifi on, with microsoft office and a few resets here and there. Also my screen is at 60% and cpu at balanced energy star. I am averaging 9+ hrs!

 

Are you using windows Vista? If so remove the gadgets application from your desktop and clean your startup processes. Make sure you use an enegy star power scheme 60 or below brightness and post back with the results!

FYI...My t400 jumped to an extra 30 minutes or so as soon as I closed the crappy gadgets.