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    Nice gadget that shows you realtime battery drain

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by ikovac, May 13, 2011.

  1. ikovac

    ikovac Cooler and faster... NBR Reviewer

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    ikovac, May 13, 2011
    #1
  2. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Hmmm, my notebook pulls around an 1 amp , when just browsing the internet.

    I wish there was more skins as it`s not easy to see the current one.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), May 13, 2011
    #2
  3. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you take the gadget apart and read the js components, the gadget depends on wmi properly populating the wmiPowerMeterClass.

    The hardware to actually support this is supported on very few systems that are not 'enterprise class'. In the absence of this hardware, the gadget tries to guess based on some very limited hardware assumptions.

    It's a long way from being accurate or dependable.

    From the authors FAQ:

    "While most modern battery-powered devices have built-in power meters, some laptops and even recent desktop systems don't. Unfortunately, you can't use PwrDrain on those machines because there aren't any data to display."

    In other words, pretty pictures, yes. Useful data, no.
     
    newsposter, May 13, 2011
    #3
  4. coolguy

    coolguy Notebook Prophet

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    ^ You are right, this gadget doesn't do anything in my Vaio, except adding a power meter image.
     
    coolguy, May 13, 2011
    #4
  5. ramgen

    ramgen -- Morgan Stanley --

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    I have been using BatteryBar Pro for some time. It looks prety decent in terms of functionality. Definitely recommend it.

    (There is also a free limited version too. Give it a try.)


    --
     
    ramgen, May 14, 2011
    #5