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electrical:12v:laptop [2020/01/07 20:49]
frater_secessus [use a power-sipping laptop] 		electrical:12v:laptop [2020/03/20 12:19]
frater_secessus [Charging and powering laptops]
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 Laptops are the most power-hungry of the nomad's communications devices;  phones and tablets require [[electrical:solar:frugal|much less power]]. Laptops are the most power-hungry of the nomad's communications devices;  phones and tablets require [[electrical:solar:frugal|much less power]].
  
-There are several techniques for successful laptop use on the road.+There are two basic approaches to keeping your laptop charged on the road:
  
 +  - charge whenever possible
 +  - use less power when not charging
 +
 +
 +===== opportunity charging =====
 +
 +**Sit near outlets** whenever possible.  When being seated by a host ask for a spot near an outlet.  Test the outlet before settling in.  
 +
 +**Be ready to charge** - keep the laptop's charging brick and a long extension cord in the laptop bag with you.  You don't have to remove the laptop for charging, or use it while charging.  Pull out the cord and get your charge on.
 ===== use a power-sipping laptop ===== ===== use a power-sipping laptop =====
 {{ :electrical:12v:delllaptopadapterannotated.jpg?200|}}This advice will likely come too late. :-)  {{ :electrical:12v:delllaptopadapterannotated.jpg?200|}}This advice will likely come too late. :-) 
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 ---- ----
 +
 +===== use laptop substitutes =====
 +
 +Checking email on a phone will use much less power than doing the same thing on a laptop.  Obviously, long replies are easier to type with a real keyboard.  You may find that a tablet with [[https://amzn.to/2ZY4TOC|a bluetooth keyboard]] works well enough to leave the laptop in the bag sometimes.
 +
 +Watching movies on a tablet or even a phone will use less power than a laptop.  The smaller screen may also allow you to reduce resolution and [[communication:bandwidth_conservation|save bandwidth]].
  
 ===== use a DC adapter ===== ===== use a DC adapter =====
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 ==== reduce bandwidth ==== ==== reduce bandwidth ====
  
-Reducing bandwidth usage will, in addition to easing the pain on your checkbook, reduce the processing power needed to handle the data.  It will also reduce the amount of time the wifi or bluetooth are transmitting.+[[communication:bandwidth_conservation|Reducing bandwidth usage]] will, in addition to easing the pain on your checkbook, reduce the processing power needed to handle the data.  It will also reduce the amount of time the wifi or bluetooth are transmitting.
  
    
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 +===== virtual servers ===== 
 +If you are running a PC or laptop because some client or service needs to be active, consider moving that client/service to a [[https://my.frantech.ca/aff.php?aff=3414|virtual host provider]] somewhere. It can run 24/7 on their grid power.  They can cost as little as $20/year.
  
  
  
electrical/12v/laptop.txt · Last modified: 2023/09/08 00:41 by princess_fluffypants

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