Section 5.6. Energy Preferences


5.6. Energy Preferences

Apple's portables are more popular than their desktop siblings. While features like integrated wireless networking, DVD burners, and looks usually make the list, one of the most touted features is battery life. The Energy Saver preference panel in System Preferences is where you can make adjustments to get the most out of your laptop's battery. And don't you desktop users feel left out; there are some nice options for you to use as well.

5.6.1. Sleep

One of the best ways to conserve energy is to make use of the Sleep function ( Sleep). When your Mac is put to sleep, it shuts down almost every one of its components (although no running applications are quit). When its in this low power mode, the system isn't off. However, it isn't exactly usable either. To return your system to its normal state, wake it by pressing its Power-On button. The machine quickly springs back to life without requiring you to sit through another boot.

In addition to putting the system to sleep, you can put your display to sleep. Since the display is one of the largest drains on your battery, it's a good idea to put your display to sleep when it is not in use. To configure your system's sleep settings, use the Energy Saver preference panel, as show in Figure 5-7.

5.6.2. Scheduling

Another nice feature found in the Energy Saver preferences is the Schedule. Using the Schedule, you can have your Mac automatically power on and off at certain times of the day. This is a great option for classroom and corporate environments, where systems may not be properly turned off every day. You can access the Schedule by clicking the Schedule button in the lower-right corner of the Energy Saver preference panel.




Running Mac OS X Tiger
Running Mac OS X Tiger: A No-Compromise Power Users Guide to the Mac (Animal Guide)
ISBN: 0596009135
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 166

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net