Lenovo ThinkPad L450, User Manual

Page: 41 / 186

– When the battery icon in the Windows notification area shows a low percentage of battery power
remaining.
– When the batteries have not been used for a long time
Checking the battery status
Move your pointer to the battery-status icon in the Windows notification area to check the battery status.
The battery-status icon displays the percentage of battery power remaining and how long you can use
your computer before you must charge the battery.
The rate at which you use battery power will determine how long you can use the battery of your computer
between charges. Because each computer user has different habits and needs, it is difficult to predict how
long a battery charge will last. There are two main factors:
• How much energy is stored in the battery when you begin to work.
• The way you use your computer:
– How often you access the storage drive.
– How bright you make the computer display.
– How often you use the wireless features.
Charging the battery
It is recommended that you charge the battery or replace it with a charged battery when the battery power
remaining is low. For example:
• When you find that the percentage of power remaining is low.
• When the power alarm alerts you
If an ac outlet is convenient, plug the ac power adapter into it, and then insert the connector into the
computer. The battery will be fully charged in about three to six hours. The charging time is affected by the
battery size and the physical environment. You can check the battery charging status at any time through the
battery-status icon in the Windows notification area.
Note: To maximize the life of the battery, the computer does not start recharging the battery if the remaining
power is greater than 95%.
Maximizing the battery life
To maximize the life of the battery, do the following:
• Recharge the battery completely before using it. You can see whether the battery is fully charged from the
battery-status icon in the Windows notification area.
• Always use power-saving modes, such as sleep mode and hibernation mode.
Managing the battery power
To achieve the best balance between performance and power saving, adjust your power plan settings.
To adjust power plan settings, do the following:
1. Go to Control Panel, then change the view of Control Panel from Category to Large icons or Small icons.
2. Click Power Options .
3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
For more information, refer to the help information system of the program.
Chapter 2
.
Using your computer
25