Alienware M18X manual Battery Pack, Power Management, Understanding Power Consumption

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Battery Pack

Your laptop is equipped with a high-energy rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack. Battery life varies depending on your laptop configuration, model, applications installed, power management settings, and features used. As with all batteries, the maximum capacity of this battery decreases with time and usage.

The battery-meter lights on the battery pack indicate the charge level of the battery. When you press the battery meter once, the charge level lights illuminate. Each of the five lights represent approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge. For example, if four lights turn on, there is approximately 60 percent to 80 percent of battery charge remaining and if no lights turn on, there is no charge remaining in the battery.

1 Battery Meter

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Power Management

Understanding Power Consumption

In order to fully utilize the power of your battery, it would be a good idea for you to spend some time acquiring a basic understanding of the power management concept from your operating system.

You can use the power options in your operating system to configure the power settings on your computer. The Microsoft Windows operating system installed on your computer provides three default options:

Balanced — Offers full performance when you need it and saves power during periods of inactivity.

Power Saver — Saves power on your computer by reducing system performance to maximize the life of the computer and by reducing the amount of energy consumed by your computer over its lifetime.

High Performance — Provides the highest level of system performance on your computer by adapting processor speed to your activity and by maximizing system performance.

CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP

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Contents Mobile Manual Page Contents System Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 對 Page Page Setting UP Your Laptop Placing Your Laptop Before Setting Up Your LaptopProduct Documentation and Media Connect the AC Adapter Connect the Network Cable Optional Set Up Microsoft Windows Set Up Wireless Display Optional Set Up WirelessHD OptionalConnect to the Internet Optional Setting Up a Wired ConnectionSetting Up a Wireless Connection Setting Up Your Internet Connection Setting UP Your Laptop Getting to Know Your Laptop Left View Features Right View Features Back View Features Display Features Computer Base and Keyboard Features Media Control Keys Status LightsOn AC adapter Power ButtonFunction Keys FI Suspend ModeGetting to Know Your Laptop Using Your Laptop Connecting a Display Alienware Command CenterConnecting External Displays Extending the Desktop Using Removable Media and CardsUsing the Integrated Camera Using the Optical DriveUsing the Wireless Control Turning the Camera On and OffUnderstanding Power Consumption Battery PackPower Management Reducing Power Consumption Customizing Your Power SettingsChanging the Application Profile Settings Free Fall SensorSystem Setup Configuring the BiosEntering System Setup System Setup ScreensCPU System Setup OptionsIntel SpeedStep Sata Hard Drive DMC CD/DVD/BD Installing Additional or Replacement Components Turning Off Your Computer Before You BeginBefore Working Inside Your Computer Replacing the Battery Pack Removing the Memory Modules Upgrading or Replacing MemoryMemory module Notch Spring locks Memory-module connector Tab Removing the Hard Drives Upgrading or Replacing the Hard DrivesDisconnect the interposer from the hard drives Screws Secondary hard drive HDD1 Primary hard drive HDD0 Installing Additional or Replacement Components Troubleshooting Basic Hints and Tips Backup and General MaintenanceEnhanced Pre-Boot System Assessment Software Diagnostic ToolsComputer Startup Problems Answers to Common ProblemsComputer fails the Post Computer stops responding or a solid blue screen appearsProgram stops responding or crashes repeatedly Software ProblemsOther software problems Run Check Disk Hard Drive ProblemsAllow the computer to cool before turning it on Display Problems Memory ProblemsPower Problems Memory errors detected on startupTroubleshooting System Recovery AlienRespawn Basic AlienRespawnUpgrading to AlienRespawn Professional Dell DataSafe Online Backup OptionalMy Dell Downloads Specifications Specifications USB Maxim MAX9736A Specifications Specifications Relative humidity maximum Specifications Appendix Electrostatic Discharge ESD Warning Computer SetupComputer Use Replacement Components or Accessories General Safety PrecautionsWhen You Should Contact Alienware Websites Contacting AlienwareAppendix 0P38V4A00