more RAM for less batt life?

[right_stuff]

hi, since i upgraded my iBook to 640 ram, from 256 ram, i noticed a decrease in my batt life...(from 5hrs down to 3hrs) does having more ram means a decrease in a batt life for a portable? or i got a defective ram? if not, what could be the problem?

need help on this...

thanks....

[Kelvin]

That's weird. With higher memory, your computer should access the hard disk less than before, and so your battery should last longer... well of course I could be wrong. Oh and I'd rule out a defective RAM module if the stability of your computer wasn't affected with the additional memory.

[extremyks]

Perhaps with the added ram you make use of more appz than before... and you multi-task much better...more appz open may mean more processor usage equals more battery usage.

Did you made any software update prior to decrease in battery life?

[Edited on 4-12-2004 by extremyks]

[right_stuff]

how weird... i tried using my 128ram (256 in total) and the batt reading went up to 5hrs and 15mins. while my batt reading using my 512ram (640 in total) is only 3hrs and 11min (this is right after a full charge already). and to add further, that 3hrs and 11mins would drop to 2hrs and 30mins in just 30-45mins of surfing....

now i feel disapointed....:wound:

[right_stuff]

nope, i did no software update and still got a bad batt life... and even after a software update my batt reading won't increase...

i usually use if Safari and YM most of the time... i even disable my widget and my bluetooth while surfing...

i think a full charge would last less than 3 hrs na lang.... my iBook is only 3 months old..

[ginoledesma]

I recently upgraded my iBook's RAM from the stock 256MB to 640MB and battery life has remained somewhat the same. At best, my iBook lasts about 4.5 hours doing very little (me typing email, reading stuff, etc). On average, I get 4 hours battery time, although the battery meter can be deceiving in that it says "5:15 remaining" (this I'm sure is not true). I check this information against X-Charge, which shows the information of battery power over time.

[right_stuff]

i wonder whats wrong with my Ram....

[ginoledesma]

Recalibrate your battery first. I recalibrated mine just a few days ago when I noticed I was getting noticeably lower battery life. After calibrating it, I'm back to my peppy 4-4.5 hours use again.

To test for bad RAM, you can always use the Diagnostics CD that shipped with your laptop, or use TechTool Pro if you have it.

[right_stuff]

i did my batt calibration twice already but nothing changed....

[bogs]

As with Gino, my iBook with 640MB of RAM usually lasts around 4.5 hours, this is with the LCD brightness set to medium. Maybe your problem is with the battery and not RAM related?