What’s the longest you’ve ever gone without plugging in your laptop? 6 hours? 8? 10? Long battery life is at the top of almost every mobile tech user’s wish list. The more mobile you are, the less you want to worry about A/C adapters and finding an outlet.

While most people are happy with “all-day” power — which means a battery that can last around 7 continuous hours — what if you could go a whole 32 hours without having to plug in?

Today and tomorrow I’m taking part in HP’s 32 hour battery challenge. The company provided me with an HP EliteBook 8640p and an extra battery pack to see me through the next day and a half. Can this laptop really last this long?

Given the size of the extended battery, I truly hope so. Normally I go for ultraportables that prioritize light weight and skinny profiles. But it’s rare for a notebook like that to last more than 8 or 9 hours. If this kind of robust battery life is your number one priority, you’re going to have to deal with bulk.

At least you can ditch the weight of the power brick.

Aside from the battery itself, I’m running on the HP Optimized power settings which has the screen brightness just under 40% and a slew of other tweaks from the Windows 7 norm. None of these settings compromise my experience with Windows. I still have Aero glass and such. If you have to cut an operating system down to bare bones to save battery, someone is doing something wrong.

Currently I’m in the midst of hour 2 and my battery is only down to 93%. I’ll update you on my progress through today and tomorrow. You can also follow me on Twitter @ktbradford and everyone else involved in the challenge at the hashtag #HP32Hrs.

HP 32 Hour Battery Challenge – How Long Can This EliteBook Last? is a post by K. T. Bradford from Notebooks.com.

Intel showed off a new processor this week that the company claims can last for 24 hours and uses such low amounts of power that it can run off solar power.

Ideally this technology will come to your notebook in 2013, and deliver longer battery life than the current iPad or your lognest lasting notebooks.

The Haswell processors are expected to build on the Ivy Bridge platform which is set to come out next year with DirectX 11 and Open GL support right on the integrated graphics.

3 Reasons You Want Your 2013 Notebook Today

24 Hour Battery Life

Intel claims that these new notebooks will be able to last 24 hours on a single charge. Literal all day computing without spending obscene amounts of money, lugging around 4 external batteries and enough power to actually use your computer.

10 Days Standby

Go ahead and put your new notebook in standby mode for up to 10 days, and when you pick it up all of your files and emails will still be synced. The low power consumption can keep your notebook running for 10 days while the display is off without cutting the Internet connection.

Solar Powered Notebook

The power consumption on these new notebooks is so low that the devices can actually be powered by the Sun. Forget wireless laptop charging, Solar powered notebooks don’t even need a power brick. While we have seen a few solar-powered netbooks, this processor uses 20 times less power and can run from the juice supplied by the sun or the lights in your office.

Here’s  look at a notebook using this new technology and running on solar power at IDF 2011

Are you ready for a new low power solar powered notebook that can last all day? I know I am looking forward to making that purchase.

Via Gizmodo

3 Reasons You Want Your 2013 Notebook Today is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Today Intel took the covers off the next Intel processor, Ivy Bridge. This new processor will begin production later this year and will likely find their way into your next notebook or mobile device in 2012. These new processors are able to come in smaller than the current processors thanks to the new 3D Tri-Gate Transistors which Intel claims will deliver a 37% increase in speed and use half the power of the normal 2D transistors.

2D vs. 3D - Close Up Inside Your Electronics

So, what does this mean for you? Well, because Intel was able to cut the power needed, it will be easier to deliver better battery life on Ivy Bridge. Thanks to the power enhancements, you’ll also get better performance, which is something that we have come to expect from new processors.

You can see a demonstration of the new Ivy Bridge Processors in action in the demonstration video below, which shows off gaming on these new processors.

If you want to see how small these new 22nm processors and the new Tri-Gate transistors are, you should squint and lean in really close to this page. Or, you could watch Mark T. Bohr get shrunk down to size to show you just how small the transistors are.

Intel Ivy Bridge 22nm CPU’s Announced, Feature “3D” Transistors (video) is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X220 is one of our favorite notebooks so far in 2011. The 12.5″ ultraportable has a 15 hour real world battery, great keyboard and enough power to be the only computer you use for work thanks to the large mousepad and docking. We posted our full review of the ThinkPad X220 back in March, and gave it an Editor’s Choice award for the best business ultraportable and now you can pick one up for yourself starting tomorrow, April 19th.

Lenovo ThinkPad X220

The ThinkPad X220 earned high marks for the reasons mentioned above and we have continued to use the business ultraportable as one of our daily notebooks for the past month with the same appreciation of the size, features and quality. If you are a business user that values portability, you owe it to yourself to show the X220 to your IT team.

The ThinkPad X220 still shows as coming soon on Lenovo, but ZDNet writer James Kendrick tipped us on Twitter to the impending arrival of the ThinkPad X220 on April 19th.

We suggest you check out our ThinkPad X220 Feature Overview and our full Lenovo ThinkPad X220 review to tide you over and be sure to have your credit card ready tomorrow.

ThinkPad X220 Overview Video:

Lenovo ThinkPad X220 w/ 15 Hr Battery Available for Purchase April 19th is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Notebook battery life can be a big deal, and while many models offer long life and the ability to swap out a battery there are a wide array of external notebook battery solutions that can extend your life even longer. Tom’s Hardware has rounded up and tested 15 external notebook batteries that will help your notebook last longer.

Many average consumers won’t find the need for a portable power solution like one of these external notebook batteries to go with a $500 notebook, but if you are traveling, an outdoor enthusiast or really do need to stay powered for hours more than your traditional notebook battery allows, then these 15 batteries offer a glimpse at everlasting battery life — or at least as close as you can come today.

Tom’s Hardware tested the following external notebook batteries:

• Amstar MedXP 140
• Amstar MedXP 300
• Brunton Sustain
• Brunton Impel
• Digipower Universal Laptop Battery
• Electrovaya PowerPad 95
• Electrovaya PowerPad 130
• Energizer XP8000
• Energizer XP18000
• Lenmar PPU916
• PowerTraveller MiniGorrila
• PowerTraveller PowerGorrila
• Tekkeon MP3750
• Tekkeon MP3450
• Tekkeon MP3450i

The nice thing about these external notebook batteries is that if you can find a notebook that meets all of your needs except battery life, you can fix that with a relatively small purchase. Because these are external options that work with a number of computers, you can use them with several notebooks and when the extra weight is a problem, leave the battery in your car or at home.

Personally, battery life is a ranked higher than high end performance so I am always drawn to notebooks that can deliver long batter life on their own, but the ability to double battery life with a slice battery or an external notebook battery, is always a plus. Just watch out, as Apple like’s to make it difficult for battery makers like HyperJuice who produce external MacBook battery packs.

Via LaptopThoughts

External Notebook Battery Review Roundup and Showdown is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

The ThinkPad X220 is a formidable notebook that delivers on speed, battery life and even price without sacrificing durability or the standard ThinkPad touches. The ThinkPad x220 is perhaps the first 12″ business notebook we could see as a standalone notebook, without the need for a more powerful desktop or notebook back in the office. We would want to dock the X220, but that’s not a problem since it is compatible with the many of the ThinkPad docks.

ThinkPad X220 Rear and Side Angle

Simply put, the ThinkPad X220 is one of the best business notebooks we’ve had the pleasure to use. Check out the full ThinkPad x220 Review below.

ThinkPad X220 Quick Specs:

Unlike many other ultraportable notebooks in this size range, the Lenovo X220 comes with a full voltage 2nd Generation Intel Core i5 processor clocked at 2.5Ghz, with the option to go up to a Core i7 on select models. By using a full voltage processor, the user has much more power, and in this case there isn’t much this 12.5″ notebook can’t do.

The x220 also has 4GB RAM, a 320GB hard drive, 3 USB 3.0 ports, Display Port, VGA, an Express card 54 slot and a SD card reader. There are also a HD webcam, dual digital microphones, a fingerprint reader and wireless b/g/n.

The ThinkPad X220 weighs less than 3 pounds, and even with the optional slice battery only adds another pound when you need the longer battery life. The X220 starts at $899 and the optional 19 cell Slice battery that retails for $179.99.

Who is the ThinkPad X220 For?

The ThinkPad X220 is a business class notebook that is a great fit for business users, as well as demanding individuals who want a durable and portable machine that can handle pretty much anything you want. The ThinkPad X220 can handle gaming, spreadsheets, Microsoft Office and even resource intensive Adobe Applications thanks to the 2nd Gen Intel Core i5 processor.

Given the size and weight, the x220 is ideal for road warriors and frequent travelers as well as users who want to carry their notebook with them everywhere, without lugging around a 5 pound beast. That’s the beauty of the new ThinkPad X220; it can go from the board room to the dorm room with durability and features found on high end notebooks, but it starts at just $899.

If you need to take notes, and prefer a tablet, check out the ThinkPad x220t 12.5″ convertible tablet that launched alongside this notebook.

ThinkPad X220 Hands On Video:

ThinkPad X220 Build and Design:

The ThinkPad X220 has a traditional ThinkPad design. Matte black finish. Industrial looking edges. Visible screws. And shiny metal hinges. Somehow, all of these factors come together to look like a notebook that means businesses; and not just boardroom or sales force business, but take it anywhere and do what you want business.

While the X220 appeals to a different user than say the MacBook Air, it is a very nice looking notebook that feels like it can handle the abuses of the business world or college campus.

The all metal hinges allow the 12.5″ display to open completely flat and provide an incredibly sturdy feel. You won’t need to worry about the screen moving around in during a bumpy car ride or as you carry it from room to room.

ThinkPad X220 Hinge and Design

One thing that has changed from the ThinkPad x201 is the removal of a latch to keep the notebook closed. This may be a negative for some users, but we haven’t had any issues with the display coming open while carrying the X220 in our bag or in our hands. The hinges keep the notebook closed with enough force that you need to hold the base of the notebook to open the display past a half inch.

The lid of the x220 has a bit of a lip that sandwiches with the edge of the palmrest and makes room for the HD webcam and the built in light that can be toggled to light up your keyboard. We really wish Lenovo would embrace backlit keys, but the light on the x220 does the best job of lighting up a keyboard we have seen from this style of light. Most other notebooks from Lenovo and HP that have similar features have, in our experience, only provided a little bit of light, but the x220 provides a bright enough light that we notice an improved experience.

By building the mouse buttons into the trackpad, Lenovo was able to increase the size of the mousepad 45% larger than the ThinkPad x201, which delivers a noticeable improvement over other 12″ business notebooks and tablets. More on the ThinkPad x220 mouse below.

ThinkPad X220 Features:

The ThinkPad X220 is clearly a result of many iterations of design from Lenovo. The X220 brings many new features and improvements over previous 12 inch business notebooks and is by far the most impressive 12″ business notebook we have used.

Durability is a key feature on the X220. This notebook has been tested to meet MIL-SPEC standards. This means that the x220 can survive in areas and conditions where consumer notebooks wouldn’t dare venture. The x220 meets military specifications for physical shock, heat, dust, humidity and more.

Another key improvement is found on many of the latest ThinkPads, an improved video conferencing setup. The new X220 allows you to switch between conference and private mode and features noise canceling to help quiet the keyboard during calls. The keys aren’t totally muted, but they are a bit better than some other notebooks. Check out the webcam section below for more details.

Notebook Display:

The 12.5″ anti glare display on the ThinkPad x220 has a 1366×768 resolution display and can be configured with an IPS extra wide viewing angle display.

The X220 Display has wide viewing angles and opens past 180 degrees.

Our review unit came with the IPS wide view ultra bright display and we were certainly impressed with the viewing angles and the ability to use the notebook in an outdoor or bright setting. In our extended use of the 12.5″ display we had trouble finding an angle which made it difficult to view the screen while reading webpages or watching video on the 12.5″ screen.

While 12.5″ can be small and we would really like a slightly higher resolution display, the size and resolution does suite the X220 and delivers a very usable canvas to get your work done on, or to relax and enjoy video or gaming.

X220 IPS Display Outdoor Head On

ThinkPad X220 Keyboard:

The ThinkPad x220 has a standard ThinkPad keyboard, which means it doesn’t have a chiclet style, but it delivers a pretty amazing keyboard experience. The X220′s keys have a nice curve to the edges that make it easy to find your keys as you touch type. The keys have a very nice feel and great response. This is one of the few notebook keyboards we could type on all day long. The keyboard doesn’t suffer from a mushy middle which can be an issue on many notebooks.

The key size and placement are both really good. Despite the small size, the x220′s keys are full size and you will notice this. The placement is for the most part ideal. The Shift, Enter, Tab and Backspace keys are all where you would expect them to be and at a normal size. The Delete and Esc keys have been shifted to the upper deck, near a collection of other function keys, but that works out well because they are now oversized.

The only key placement that took much getting used to was the inclusion of Forward and Back navigation keys to the right and left of the Up direction key. These keys are handy, but we found that on more than one occasion we would hit them while writing in the browser and leave the page we were working on. We’d much rather see two blanks in this area on the next ThinkPad X series.

The keyboard can be lit up with the built in light that is built in next to the webcam, allowing you to use the keyboard in low light situations. As mentioned, the light seems brighter and more focused than many others we have used, but still not as handy as a backlit keyboard option.

ThinkPad X220 Touchpad:

Touchpads on small ultraportable notebooks are always a challenge to use, specifically when it comes to the size. On the ThinkPad x220, the touchpad is 45% larger than the previous x200 models and also much larger than you’ll find on many competing business notebooks in this size range. The extra size is achieved by making the mousepad clickable and eliminating the physical buttons from the base of the mousepad.

Buttonless Trackpad on the ThinkPad x220

Traditionally, a mousepad like this introduces usability issues, but this is one of the better clickable mousing surfaces we have used on a Windows notebook. Things we like include the ability to click, actually click, almost anywhere on the mousepad to perform a left click as well as the general performance of the button clicking. We did experience a few issues of moving the mouse with our palms, but overall this is a great mousepad for such a small device.

The multitouch mousepad allows for pinch to zoom and two finger scrolling, which does work, but isn’t as responsive as we would like. Still, the two finger scrolling was a notch up than we typically experience on Windows notebooks.

The X220 has the traditional TrackPoint navigation nub and complementary mouse buttons at the top of the mousepad to satisfy the TrackPoint loyalists. The TrackPoint performed like any other Lenovo ThinkPad we have tested, though we are first to admit that the TrackPoint isn’t our preferred mousing method.

ThinkPad X220 Processor and Performance:

The full voltage 2nd Gen Intel Core i5 processor that powers the ThinkPad X220 is a powerhouse, and is part of what really impressed us about the ultraportable X220. Thanks to the included power the x220 was able to handle standard business tasks, photo editing and even movie editing the x220 has what it takes to be the only computer a busy professional needs whether he or she is on the road or in the office.

The X220 can also be configured with the more powerful Intel Core i7 processor, which comes with USB 3.0 support to handle the power and data transfer needs of more demanding users.

ThinkPad X220 Multimedia and Gaming:

The X220 uses the Integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, but with the new 2nd Generation Core i family of processors, integrated graphics perform much better than in the past.

We were able to play HD video on the X220 without any hiccups, allowing you to connect to a projector to give a demo or watch a Netflix or iTunes movie when you get back to your hotel room.

Believe it or not, the x220 can handle some gaming using the new Integrated Intel graphics that are part of the new Sandy Bridge processor line. We know Intel claimed that this would be a possibility, there’s something exciting about firing up a recent game like Just Cause 2 and playing on Medium settings on a notebook without a discrete graphics solution. We couldn’t play the Crysis 2 demo, nor would we think this machine could handle the high demands of games like Crysis 2 or Call of Duty Black Ops, but it will handle some mainstream gaming if that’s how you unwind after a busy day of meetings or class.

ThinkPad X220 Audio and Speakers

The integrated speakers are positioned on the base of the notebook near the front edge and provide a quality audio experience, but the sound is a bit quiet for our liking. We found that the best result came while we used the notebook on a table or other hard surface that allowed the sound to grow a bit louder. Because of this placement, you may end up further muting the sound while resting your hands in between typing. Overall, audio isn’t amazing, but it will fit the needs of most business users.

ThinkPad X220 Hard Drive:

Our review model was equipped with a fairly standard 320GB 5400 RPM drive, which performed like we would expect. The higher end models can be configured with a 7200 RPM hard drive, hybrid SSD/HDD model and SSD only models. The Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 results in a faster boot time, even with the standard hard drive.

ThinkPad X220 Benchmarks

The X220 feels noticeably faster than the low volttage notebooks we have tested, but you don’t have to take our word for it, see how the X220 scores on the GeekBench test below.

Lenovo X220 Benchmarks - GeekBench

ThinkPad X220 Heat and Noise

During our extended use of the Lenovo ThinkPad x220 we didn’t run into the heat or noise issues you might expect on a 12.5″ notebook with a full voltage Core i5 processor. While we could hear the fan running under stress, it wasn’t loud enough to distract or cause any concern. Similarly, the x220 ran cool to the touch, even during long periods of use.

ThinkPad X220 Battery Life

The small and light X220 is rated for up to 23 hours of battery life with the 9 cell battery and the extended 19-cell slice battery. Our review unit came with the 6-cell battery and extended 19 cell slice battery which runs $179.

With the extended battery connected, we were able to achieve 15 hours and 13 minutes of life using the Battery Informant tool from Laptop Magazine. This tool surfs popular websites to recreate a standard user experience. To get to 15 hours, we had the screen at a usable 40% brightness and had the Lenovo Battery Stretch options turned on.

19-cell optional slice battery for the ThinkPad x220

With the standard 6 cell battery, the tool delivered nearly 8 hours of battery life (7 h 47 minutes) using the same testing tool and settings. Overall the X220 delivers impressive battery life and stands out in a sea of high life battery claims.

Connectivity:

For a small business notebook the X220 has pretty much all the standard connectivity options you could hope for including a built in ExpressCard 54 slot to expand your connectivity if needed. The only thing missing from our model is a USB 3.0 port, which as we mentioned can be included with the Core i7 processor option.

Left Side: (left to right) USB 2.0, VGA, Display Port, USB 2.0, ExpressCard 54 and a Wireless switch.

Right Side: (Left to Right) SD card slot, USB 2.0 (charging), Ethernet, combo microphone and headphone and a Kensington lock

The X220 can also be configured with several wireless connectivity options for cellular access.

ThinkPad X220 Webcam and Video Conferencing:

The X220 comes with a built in 720P had webcam that delivers nice looking images that are crisp and clear. The webcam performs well in low light settings and is not affected by the keyboard light, which is situated right next to the camera.

ThinkPad X220 720P HD webcam

The webcam comes with software to optimize the audio for video conferencing as well. The included software and digital microphone is tuned to suppress the clicking of keys while you take notes during a call. While it won’t silence the keys, they were noticeably quieter than with the setting disabled.

ThinkPad x220 webcam settings

You can also switch between private and conference mode, which tells the built in microphone to listen to one user or the entire room. This setting worked out well in our case, tuning out a nearby TV when in private mode.

ThinkPad X220 Software:

The X220 comes with a complement of ThinkVantage software that allows you to quickly access and change settings. These tools include changing wireless radio settings, mousepad and TrackPoint settings and several other system functions. Perhaps the best part was the lack of any extraneous software to bog the system down.

ThinkPad X220 Value:

The overall value of the ThinkPad X220 is very high. For around $1,000 you get a business class notebook with a full voltage Core i processor, 15 hour battery life all in a package that weighs 3-4 pounds depending on whether or not you add the extended battery.

ThinkPad X220 Conclusion:

The ThinkPad X220 is one of the best notebooks we have used in recent memory. It delivers everything a business user would need — power, long battery life and a plethora of connectivity options — in a small and portable package that is rated for demanding conditions for a price that businesses can afford and appreciate.

The ThinkPad X220 delivers on all counts and earns our Editor’s Choice award as one of the best business ultraportable notebooks on the market today.

Pros:

• 15 hour real world battery life
• Great keyboard
• Larger mousepad
• Portable package
• Price

Cons:

• Multitouch mouse could be better

ThinkPad X220 Gallery:

ThinkPad X220 Detailed Specs:

Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Review is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

“Is it worth an extra $400 to get a faster 11-inch MacBook Air with 4GB of RAM and a 1.6 instead of 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor or a 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor in the 13-inch MacBook Air?” Anandtech ran their battery of tests on three different MacBook Airs as well as some MacBook Pros and a MacBook.

The MacBook Airs included had the following configurations:

• 11-inch model that costs $999 and comes with a 64GB SSD for storage and 2GB of RAM and a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• upgraded 11-inch model with 4GB of RAM, 128GB SSD and 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor which costs $1,399 (the only way to get the faster processor in the 11-inch model is to also pay for the higher capacity drive
• a 13-inch MacBook Air, which has 4GB of RAM, a 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor also costing $1,399

So is the performance boost worth the cost? Here are some of the results Anandtech reported.

In a memory intensive task, the upgrade in Ram helped the 11-inch MacBook Air with 4GB of RAM outperform the same model with only 2GB. In one test it was a 16% increase in speed (some memory intensive Photoshop CS4 tasks) and in another it was a 14% boost (importing a large RAW image into Aperture). However, in processor intensive test the boost in speed of the 1.6GHz was not enough to warrant the extra cost.

In many of their battery tests, the 13-inch MacBook Air with its much bigger battery, spanked the 11-inch models. In fact it beat out every computer in the roundup in the light browsing test and most in the multitasking test. Add flash to the browsing test and the differences between the three MacBook Airs were not as pronounced. Be sure to visit Anandtech for a closer look at all of the test areas.

Referring to the cheapest of the MacBook Airs, the author said:

The 11-inch MacBook Air may be portable perfection, but by default it’s not the perfect notebook. It’s slow, the battery doesn’t last all that long under actual use and the screen resolution, although appreciably high, makes things a little difficult to read.

But adding $400 worth of computer in the faster 11-inch MacBook Air or the cheapest 13-inch model results in a 10-20 percent increase in speed and battery life.

The reviewer preferred working on the 13-inch MacBook Air. Their test confirmed what our review said about this model. It is a good system to get work done in a great form factor.

MacBook Air Upgrades – Are They Worth the Cost? is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Think whatever you will about Steve Jobs, and Apple’s obsession with avoiding Flash, but the numbers don’t lie. At the root of the battle for what plays our movies and serves our ads is the claim that Flash isn’t good for mobile devices because it hurts their battery life.

We saw this first on the iPhone and the iPad and most recently on the MacBook Air which is shipped without Flash built in. Apple claimed the absence of Flash was a decision made so that users could download the latest, and most secure, version of Flash when they get the device, but Ars Technica’s review of the MacBook Air 11.6″ shows that Flash can cut the battery life of the MacBook Air by up to 33% — just from serving ads on static webpages!

You heard that right, all those rich flashy, jumpy – annoying as hell slide-out ads — are killing your notebook’s battery. Simply removing Flash turns these battery sucking ads into static images that allow for a less distracting experience and better battery life.

From the Ars MacBook Air 11.6″ Review (emphasis ours):

“Having Flash installed can cut battery runtime considerably—as much as 33 percent in our testing. With a handful of websites loaded in Safari, Flash-based ads kept the CPU running far more than seemed necessary, and the best time I recorded with Flash installed was just 4 hours. After deleting Flash, however, the MacBook Air ran for 6:02—with the exact same set of websites reloaded in Safari, and with static ads replacing the CPU-sucking Flash versions.”

It’s amazing how big an affect Flash and ads can have on your battery life without playing video or Flash based games. It would be interesting to see how PC notebooks and netbooks battery life would change without Flash installed.

Perhaps instead of longing for better battery technology we should be knocking on Adobe’s door and asking for a version of Flash that doesn’t shave hours off of our devices’ battery life!

One thing’s clear. If Adobe wants Flash to stay a player in online content and ad delivery now that we are a mobile workforce the company needs to come to terms that we are no longer a desktop society with unlimited battery life and start optimizing Flash for use on battery powered devices.

If you want to disable Flash when you are on battery power you should check out our guide on How to Disable Flash in Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Flash Ain’t Free – MacBook Air Battery Life Cut 33% w/ Flash Installed is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

With the latest testing on the MacBook Air showing that simply having Flash installed when surfing the web can cut your battery life by 33% — just by serving the ads that appear on many webpages.

If you are going to be mobile and want to extend the battery life of your notebook you may want to disable Flash, but thankfully you don’t need to un-install it to achieve the same benefits by using a Flash Blocking plugin for Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Flash Blocking Plugins for Popular Broswers:

• FireFox – Flashblock
• Chrome – FlashBlock
• Safari – ClickToFlash
• Internet Explorer – Built-In (How to Black Flash in IE

These plugins allow you to toggle between Flash and no Flash in, well, a flash.

How to Disable Flash in Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

The new MacBook Air I am enjoying had one major problem. Actual battery life was way below the advertised seven hours that Apple claims the 13.3-inch MacBook Air is supposed to be able to achieve. Lately Apple has been very accurate on their estimates of battery life. So I was shocked when I was only getting 3-4 hours at best even under optimal settings (Wi-Fi only only when necessary, no Bluetooth, no USB ports used and screen brightness below 40%).

I began to do some investigation and it turns out that the problem can be that your battery needs to be calibrated– a process of draining and charging the battery in a series of steps. Some web sites claim it isn’t necessary, but it worked for me. I went from 3-4 hours of battery life to closer to the seven hours with the screen at about 70% brightness and Wi-Fi on all the time. Bluetooth was still off much of that time.

There were a number of sites that have the step listed, but the first one I found was eHow. The steps come from an Apple support page.

They are (from Apple) as follows:

To calibrate a portable computer battery:

1. Plug in the MagSafe Power Adapter and fully charge the battery.When the battery is fully charged, the light on the MagSafe Power Adapter connector changes to green and the Battery icon in the menu bar indicates that the battery is charged. (see image below)
2. Allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for two hours or longer.You can use your computer during this time as long as the power adapter is plugged in.
3. With the computer still on, disconnect the power adapter and continue to use your computer.
4. When you see the low battery warning, save your work and close all applications. Keep your computer turned on until it goes to sleep.
5. After your computer goes to sleep, turn it off or allow it to sleep for five hours or longer.
6. Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged.

During this process feel free to use the MacBook during each step except for the last one obviously. I read on a couple of sites that said that all of these steps were not necessary. But I can attest that these steps worked for my MacBook Air and it is the recommended method suggested by Apple.

How To Get The Most Out of Your MacBook Battery is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.