Ever wondered why your portable device's battery doesn't last longer? We explain the technology behind battery power, and provide tips on how to maximise it.


The simple fact of notebook life is that systems simply don't run for as long on their batteries as we'd like -- even long-lived notebooks, such as IBM's ThinkPad X31, last only 8 hours on two batteries. To help you make smart decisions about the notebooks you buy and the way you use them, we demystify today's battery technologies and examine the fuel cell technology that might power your next notebook. We also provide 10 tips for getting the most out of your system's current battery, along with a glossary of key terms. We can't make a battery last forever, but we can help to make sure that you get the most out of every electron.