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--- electrical:12v:laptop [2020/01/07 20:49]
frater_secessus [use a power-sipping laptop]
+++ electrical:12v:laptop [2021/05/17 12:39]
frater_secessus [use a DC adapter]
@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 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.
+Install a [[electrical:12v:intro|power setup]] in your vehicle.
 ===== use a power-sipping laptop =====
 {{ :electrical:12v:delllaptopadapterannotated.jpg?200|}}This advice will likely come too late. :-)
@@ Line 21: / Line 32: @@
 ----
+===== 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 =====
 Using a DC adapter for your laptop rather than an [[electrical:inverter|inverter]] + the original 110v charger can save 10% or more power that would otherwise be lost in the inversion process.
-Many modern laptops run off 19v;  a DC adapter will convert your nominal 12v DC power to 19v.  You can buy an OEM adapter by searching ebay for something like [[https://www.ebay.com/sch/items/?_nkw=dell+(12v,auto,car,dc)+charger&_sacat=&_ex_kw=&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_sop=12&_fpos=&_fspt=1&_sadis=&LH_CAds=&rmvSB=true|dell (12v,auto,car,dc) charger]], or buy one of the generic ones that meets the plug and voltage specs.  They cost about $25 in most cases.
+Many modern laptops run off 19v;  a [[https://amzn.to/3fna9n6|generic DC adapter]] will convert your nominal 12v DC power to 19v.  You can also buy an OEM adapter although they tend to cost more.ZZ
@@ Line 77: / Line 93: @@
 ==== 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.
@@ Line 92: / Line 108: @@
+===== 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.

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