Workshop: Boost your notebook PC's battery life

One of the biggest selling points for notebook computers is portability.

Thanks to built-in batteries, they can be used just about anywhere, but what happens when you find yourself running short of power on a regular basis?

Notebook manufacturers usually quote optimistic figures for how long their batteries will last on a single charge, but that doesn’t mean you should simply accept what might appear to be poor performance from your notebook.

While some notebooks are able to automatically throttle back performance in favour of battery longevity, others need a helping hand.

Click here to find out how to optimise your notebook to maximise battery life. Assuming your portable pal hasn’t already been tweaked to perform more efficiently when not plugged in, it could add more than an hour’s life between charges.