Power-down or sleep mode?

[Gary]

I've been getting into the habit of closing the cover and letting my
laptop go into sleep mode when I'm done with it, rather than log off
and power it down. I'm getting concerned whether I'm shortening my
battery life significantly by doing this.

Anyone know of the battery draining consequences of being in sleep mode?

 

[Stan Brown]

I've been getting into the habit of closing the cover and letting my
laptop go into sleep mode when I'm done with it, rather than log off
and power it down. I'm getting concerned whether I'm shortening my
battery life significantly by doing this.

Anyone know of the battery draining consequences of being in sleep mode?

First question: is it sleep, or hibernate? If it's hibernate, the
computer is turned OFF and there is no power drain.

If it's sleep mode, there will indeed be some power drain, but it's
not much. My Dell laptop is good for about 3 hours of use on a
charge, but IIRC the owner's manual says it will get days while in
sleep mode. Does that have any long-term consequences for the
durability of the battery? I suspect not, but I can't give you a
definite No.

But again: why mess with sleep mode? Unless it takes longer than you
can live with to come back from hibernate, I see no advantage to
sleep.

Click the start button, type "power options" (no quotes), and select
"change what closing the lid does".

 

[choro]

The batteries will go through a certain number of cycles in their
lifetime. What you are doing in not going to change that. If you are
running on the battery and shut down and then later start up, it makes
no difference to the battery. All that does matter is how many times you
use it and charge it. If you are leaving it plugged in then it is not
using the battery at all.
I use sleep all the time on my laptop at home since I use it many many
times during the day. It is of course much faster to come back from
sleep than wait for it to start again. I do have to sometimes shut down
and re start because the wireless connection will stop working after time.
When I leave the house with it to work or such I always shut it down
just to make sure it does not try to come up while in a case.

Are you sure that IF you leave a laptop permanently connected to the
mains with the battery in it that the battery will NOT be recharged?

I thought the best policy is to remove the battery and use the laptop as
a mains computer and only insert the battery in when you have to use it
where you have no access to mains. Mind you, it is best to turn the
laptop OFF before removing or inserting the battery.

I am sure IF you leave the battery in and have it connected to the mains
all the time, the battery will still be recharged and you will soon end
up with a useless battery which only has a life-cycle of 500 to 10000
charges.

But removing the battery from the laptop will ensure that the battery
will last the lifetime of the computer. If you insert the battery in say
3 times a week and then you have to recharge it, you will only recharge
it 150 times a year. And if the battery has a lifespan of say 750
charges your battery will need replacing after 750/150 = 5 years!

I am sure that the battery is continually topped up and therefore
charged if you leave the laptop plugged into the mains with the battery
inserted!

 

[Alex Clayton]

snip
I am sure that the battery is continually topped up and therefore charged
if you leave the laptop plugged into the mains with the battery inserted!

Then the people who make them are lying to all of us.
Now the first one I bought in 2000 did warn that it should not be left
plugged in with the battery in, but that was very old tech. The ones I have
now you can pop the battery in and out while running and nothing happens,
the machine is running off the AC power as the makers claim.
Other than that first one I bought then I have never had one that I needed
to buy another battery for after years of use like this. I normally use one
for a couple years and buy a new one and pass off the old. A few of those
old ones are still in use, 2 of them are XP so that shows how long they have
been in use. Batteries still work fine according to the users. Of course
they do not get the kind of time on battery that the newer ones do, but
those machines never did. Back when they were new you could expect about an
hour or so on battery and that is still what they get all these years later.
But if it makes you "feel" better by all means leave the battery out of it.

 

[Char Jackson]

Then the people who make them are lying to all of us.
Now the first one I bought in 2000 did warn that it should not be left
plugged in with the battery in, but that was very old tech. The ones I have
now you can pop the battery in and out while running and nothing happens,
the machine is running off the AC power as the makers claim.
Other than that first one I bought then I have never had one that I needed
to buy another battery for after years of use like this. I normally use one
for a couple years and buy a new one and pass off the old. A few of those
old ones are still in use, 2 of them are XP so that shows how long they have
been in use. Batteries still work fine according to the users. Of course
they do not get the kind of time on battery that the newer ones do, but
those machines never did. Back when they were new you could expect about an
hour or so on battery and that is still what they get all these years later.
But if it makes you "feel" better by all means leave the battery out of it.

My experience with 3 Toshibas, 2 Dells, and 2 HPs has been different
from yours, (similar to your example from 2000). In each case, the
batteries died a quick death by leaving the laptops plugged into AC
24/7. Coworkers who used the same laptop models, but regularly used
the laptop on the battery, got a lot more life out of theirs.

 

[Alex Clayton]

On Sun, 2 Jan 2011 09:36:36 -0800, "Alex Clayton"
My experience with 3 Toshibas, 2 Dells, and 2 HPs has been different
from yours, (similar to your example from 2000). In each case, the
batteries died a quick death by leaving the laptops plugged into AC
24/7. Coworkers who used the same laptop models, but regularly used
the laptop on the battery, got a lot more life out of theirs.

Guess I have got the few good ones then. <shrug>
My current one sit's plugged in all day. I start fresh in the morning then
use sleep all day, since I use it many times during the day. Last I heard
the batteries are supposed to be good for about 1K cycles. If it is topping
mine off even just one time an hour I have to have hit several K by now and
the few times I use it on battery it still is working fine. It has been done
like this for over a year now. It's a Dell. The HP it replaced was done this
way 7 days a week since it went to work with me so it was plugged in and
sleeping 24/7 for a couple years. I gave that one to a student back in may
of this year and she said it is still going great.
I guess all of you should take those batteries out of yours.

 

[Char Jackson]

Guess I have got the few good ones then. <shrug>
My current one sit's plugged in all day. I start fresh in the morning then
use sleep all day, since I use it many times during the day. Last I heard
the batteries are supposed to be good for about 1K cycles. If it is topping
mine off even just one time an hour I have to have hit several K by now and
the few times I use it on battery it still is working fine. It has been done
like this for over a year now. It's a Dell. The HP it replaced was done this
way 7 days a week since it went to work with me so it was plugged in and
sleeping 24/7 for a couple years. I gave that one to a student back in may
of this year and she said it is still going great.
I guess all of you should take those batteries out of yours.

My laptops are never allowed to sleep, so that could make a
difference. Even though I don't run on battery for extended periods, I
like having the battery installed so I can travel from one room to
another, from one outlet to another.

 

[Alex Clayton]

My laptops are never allowed to sleep, so that could make a
difference. Even though I don't run on battery for extended periods, I
like having the battery installed so I can travel from one room to
another, from one outlet to another.

This is why even if it was hosing my battery I would most likely still leave
mine in. I am always moving from room to room but try not to move around
with the thing running. I put it to sleep first. I am always afraid of a
drop while the HDD is running. Have always been told that it can be a mess
if you do. I hear that these (laptops) tend to be pretty robust, but don't
feel like putting it and Murphy to the test so I normally will make sure it
is sleeping before I pick it up to move it to another room.

 

[Char Jackson]

This is why even if it was hosing my battery I would most likely still leave
mine in. I am always moving from room to room but try not to move around
with the thing running. I put it to sleep first. I am always afraid of a
drop while the HDD is running. Have always been told that it can be a mess
if you do. I hear that these (laptops) tend to be pretty robust, but don't
feel like putting it and Murphy to the test so I normally will make sure it
is sleeping before I pick it up to move it to another room.

That's something I have never worried about. When I need to move, I
pull the plug from the AC socket and go. When I get there, I look for
another outlet and plug it in. I haven't dropped a laptop yet so the
risk seems to be pretty low. Also, I've driven about 40K miles in
recent years with a laptop running while resting on the carpeted floor
of the SUV. No amount of road bumps, railroad tracks, or pot holes has
caused any issues so far, so I agree that they are pretty robust when
running.

 

[Alex Clayton]

That's something I have never worried about. When I need to move, I
pull the plug from the AC socket and go. When I get there, I look for
another outlet and plug it in. I haven't dropped a laptop yet so the
risk seems to be pretty low. Also, I've driven about 40K miles in
recent years with a laptop running while resting on the carpeted floor
of the SUV. No amount of road bumps, railroad tracks, or pot holes has
caused any issues so far, so I agree that they are pretty robust when
running.

If not for sleep mode I would not shut down, but since it's there I use it.
With two little dogs and a Macaw running around under foot I don't "tempt
fate". This one has not yet (knocks on wood) hit the deck, but my last one
did a few times, always while off. It broke one corner off it one time so
you could see inside the case. A little super glue and good as (almost) new.
<G>.
BTW I finally got the "rest of the story" on the laptop I gave daughter
last year that has problems. She had to work Christmas, but her O/H came
down to visit and dropped a dime on her. I was telling him about finding a
new board for it on E-Bay but that some of the people who know a lot more
than I thought it sounded like other problems because it acts strange with a
USB board plugged in. He told me the part of the story my daughter left out.
She had set a cup of yogurt on the table next to it while it was open and
forgot about it and went to bed. Cat found it and knocked it over on the
keyboard and had a feast. They did not see it till next morning. So after
all that I talked the wife into taking it to a shop here to have an expert
look at it.

 

[Roy Smith]

This is why even if it was hosing my battery I would most likely still
leave mine in. I am always moving from room to room but try not to move
around with the thing running. I put it to sleep first. I am always
afraid of a drop while the HDD is running. Have always been told that it
can be a mess if you do. I hear that these (laptops) tend to be pretty
robust, but don't feel like putting it and Murphy to the test so I
normally will make sure it is sleeping before I pick it up to move it to
another room.

Shoot what are you worried about? I used to drive trucks over the road
and would be away from home for 3-4 weeks at a time. In my truck I had
a laptop stand and my laptop would be running a logbook program and
Microsoft Streets & Trips and never had any problems. If you think that
an 18-wheeler has a smooth ride, then you are sorely mistaken.


--

Roy Smith
Windows 7 Professional
Thunderbird 3.1.7
Monday, January 03, 2011 5:06:29 PM

 

[Char Jackson]

Shoot what are you worried about? I used to drive trucks over the road
and would be away from home for 3-4 weeks at a time. In my truck I had
a laptop stand and my laptop would be running a logbook program and
Microsoft Streets & Trips and never had any problems. If you think that
an 18-wheeler has a smooth ride, then you are sorely mistaken.

"Sorely" mistaken? Nice choice of words.

 

[Alex Clayton]

snip
Shoot what are you worried about? I used to drive trucks over the road
and would be away from home for 3-4 weeks at a time. In my truck I had
a laptop stand and my laptop would be running a logbook program and
Microsoft Streets & Trips and never had any problems. If you think that
an 18-wheeler has a smooth ride, then you are sorely mistaken.


--

Roy Smith
Windows 7 Professional
Thunderbird 3.1.7
Monday, January 03, 2011 5:06:29 PM

I have my doubts that the ride in a truck is quite the same as dropping one
on the deck, and since it is so easy to sleep it I just do not take the
chance.

 

[TheGunslinger]

I've been getting into the habit of closing the cover and letting my
laptop go into sleep mode when I'm done with it, rather than log off
and power it down. I'm getting concerned whether I'm shortening my
battery life significantly by doing this.

Anyone know of the battery draining consequences of being in sleep mode?

You should power down and reboot periodically to ensure that all the
Windows Updates are installed and not sitting waiting for a
restart/reboot.

Keeping your system fully charged can result in battery memory
degradation. It is best to allow your system to fully discharge the
battery regularly to ensure the longest life of your battery pack.

I recommend once or twice a month or more to reduce battery memory.

IMHO,

MJR

 

[Alex Clayton]

snip

Keeping your system fully charged can result in battery memory
degradation. It is best to allow your system to fully discharge the
battery regularly to ensure the longest life of your battery pack.

I recommend once or twice a month or more to reduce battery memory.

IMHO,

MJR

Again unless the people who make these are lying, they claim that is no
longer the case. It was true with the older tech but they claim the stuff
they have been using for the last several years no longer needs it. Of
course I guess it could be a conspiracy to sell more batteries, but so far
it's not working well for them as far as I go. I never have had to buy
another battery for a laptop as the machine seems to wear out long before
the battery does. I sold a couple on Ebay from dead machines that were
several years old with warning to the buyers that the batteries were several
years old so I had no way of knowing how long they would last, just that
they currently would charge and hold. The people were happy.

 

[rimmer]

NICAD batteries aka the old type need to be fully discharged to one volt per
cell then fully recharged
to prevent memory effect
so a 12 volt battery has 8 cells (8x1.5v) so discharge to 8 volts
any lower can distort the battery internal plates and knacker it
LITHIUM ION batteries aka new type can be topped up with no memory effect
but it still is good practise to discharge and charge occasionally the same
way old ones are done

snip

Keeping your system fully charged can result in battery memory
degradation. It is best to allow your system to fully discharge the
battery regularly to ensure the longest life of your battery pack.

I recommend once or twice a month or more to reduce battery memory.

IMHO,

MJR

Again unless the people who make these are lying, they claim that is no
longer the case. It was true with the older tech but they claim the stuff
they have been using for the last several years no longer needs it. Of
course I guess it could be a conspiracy to sell more batteries, but so far
it's not working well for them as far as I go. I never have had to buy
another battery for a laptop as the machine seems to wear out long before
the battery does. I sold a couple on Ebay from dead machines that were
several years old with warning to the buyers that the batteries were
several years old so I had no way of knowing how long they would last,
just that they currently would charge and hold. The people were happy.
--
"Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites.
Moderation is for monks."

[Lazarus Long]

 

[Fred]

Are you sure that IF you leave a laptop permanently connected to the
mains with the battery in it that the battery will NOT be recharged?

I thought the best policy is to remove the battery and use the laptop
as a mains computer and only insert the battery in when you have to
use it where you have no access to mains. Mind you, it is best to
turn the laptop OFF before removing or inserting the battery.

I am sure IF you leave the battery in and have it connected to the
mains all the time, the battery will still be recharged and you will
soon end up with a useless battery which only has a life-cycle of 500
to 10000 charges.

But removing the battery from the laptop will ensure that the battery
will last the lifetime of the computer. If you insert the battery in
say 3 times a week and then you have to recharge it, you will only
recharge it 150 times a year. And if the battery has a lifespan of
say 750 charges your battery will need replacing after 750/150 = 5
years!
I am sure that the battery is continually topped up and therefore
charged if you leave the laptop plugged into the mains with the
battery inserted!

I leave my ten year old Dell inspiron laptop with battery in and plugged in
all the time unless in transit. I never turn it off, but sometimes close the
lid which closes monitor only. (it's XP) I'm on my second battery - first
lasted six years. Computer has had one new keyboard as its only repair, and
it's used heaps every day. When I do replace it - that's what I'll do again.
Keeping at constant temperature is the answer rather than turning on-off
etc.

 

[Gary]

I've been getting into the habit of closing the cover and letting my
laptop go into sleep mode when I'm done with it, rather than log off
and power it down. I'm getting concerned whether I'm shortening my
battery life significantly by doing this.

Anyone know of the battery draining consequences of being in sleep mode?

I'm the OP (original poster), and I wanted to thank everyone for their
comments. I have changed the power options to go into hibernation when
closing the cover. Some results:



1- sleep mode produced a 12% battery drop after 24 hours.

2- hibernation mode produced a 2% battery drop after 24 hours.

3- no noticable difference in time between hibernation and sleep when
"awakening".


So, from now on, I'll be a hibernator.

 

[Roland Mösl]

I've been getting into the habit of closing the cover and letting my
laptop go into sleep mode when I'm done with it, rather than log off and
power it down. I'm getting concerned whether I'm shortening my battery
life significantly by doing this.

Anyone know of the battery draining consequences of being in sleep mode?

1 Watt is the usual consumption of moder notebooks in suspend to RAM mode

Since 1994, I never switch of my notebook, most time Suspend to RAM,
in rare cases hybernate.

Power down is a waste of time.

 

[choro]

1 Watt is the usual consumption of moder notebooks in suspend to RAM mode

You mean in hibernation mode, I guess.

Since 1994, I never switch of my notebook, most time Suspend to RAM,
in rare cases hybernate.

Power down is a waste of time.

Tell me, do you keep the battery in or do you use it just plugged into
the mains?

I suspect this is what you do. I use mine just connected to the mains
and let it hibernate. BUT once every couple of months or so I insert the
battery in and give a good charge only to take it out again after the
charge.

But if you keep the battery in all the time, it would be interesting to
know how it has fared?