Operating on Battery PowerOperating on Battery Power
2-11
2.22.2 Power ManagementPower Management
This computer has a built-in power management
unit that monitors system activity. System activity
refers to any activity involving one or more of the
following devices: keyboard, mouse, floppy drive,
hard disk, peripherals connected to the serial and
parallel ports, and video memory. If no activity is
detected for a period of time (called an inactivity
time-out), the computer stops some or all of these
devices in order to conserve energy.
This computer employs an innovative power
management technique called Heuristic Power
Management or HPM. HPM allows the computer
to provide maximum power conservation and
maximum performance at the same time.
Power management methods used by most
computers are timer-based. You set inactivity
time-out values for the display, hard disk, and
other devices. The computer then “sleeps” when
these time-outs elapse. The problem with this is
that no two users are alike. Each of us has his or
her own habits when using the computer, which
makes timer-based power management ineffective.
With HPM, your computer manages its power
according to the way you use your computer. This
means the computer delivers maximum power
when you need it, and saves power when you don’t
need the maximum — all without your
intervention. There are no timers to set, because
the HPM system figures out everything for you.