Lenovo X230I manual Power management, Checking battery status, Using the ac power adapter

Power management

When you need to use your computer away from electrical outlets, you depend on battery power to keep your computer running. Different computer components consume power at different rates. The more you use the power-intensive components, the faster you consume battery power.

Checking battery status

The Power Manager battery gauge on the taskbar displays the percentage of battery power remaining.

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. For example:

–How often you access the hard disk drive.

–How bright you make the computer display.

–How often you use the wireless features.

Using the ac power adapter

The power to run your computer can come either from the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack, or from ac power through the ac power adapter. While you use ac power, the battery charges automatically.

The ac power adapter that comes with your computer has two basic components:

•The transformer pack that converts ac power adapter for use with the computer.

•The power cord that plugs into the ac outlet and into the transformer pack.

Attention: Using an improper power cord might cause severe damage to your computer.

Connecting the ac power adapter

To use the ac power adapter, do the following. Be sure to take these steps in the order in which they are given here.

1.Connect the ac power adapter to the power jack of the computer.

2.Connect the power cord to the transformer pack.

3.Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet.

Tips on using the ac power adapter

•When the ac power adapter is not in use, disconnect it from the electrical outlet.

•Do not bind the power cord tightly around the ac power adapter transformer pack when it is connected to the transformer.

•Before you use the ac power adapter to charge the battery, make sure that the battery temperature is at least 10°C (50°F).

•You can charge the battery when the ac power adapter is connected to the computer and the battery is installed. You need to charge it in any of the following conditions:

–When you purchase a new battery

–If the battery status indicator starts blinking

–If the battery has not been used for a long time

28User Guide