Power

Heuristic Power Management

The computer uses a new power management technique called Heuristic Power Management (HPM) to take advantage of APM’s power-saving features without degrading performance. HPM allows the computer to provide maximum power conservation and maximum performance.

Power-management methods used by most computers are timer-based. You set time-out values for the display, the hard disk, and other devices. The system then puts itself to sleep when it detects inactivity that exceeds the times you set. 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.

HPM is a “self-learning” method. With HPM, the system manages its power according to the way you use the machine. In effect, the computer delivers maximum power when you need it, and saves power when you don’t need the maximum— all without any intervention from you. There are no timers to set, nothing to enable or disable. The HPM system figures out everything for you.

Using HPM, the computer automatically suspends its operations—that is, enters suspend mode—in response to a hot key or in response to various events and conditions. Depending on the When Lid Is Closed setting in the BIOS setup utility (see page 95), the system enters one of two suspend modes:

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Acer TravelMate 7300 manual Heuristic Power Management