How To: Manage your laptop computer's power settings in Windows 7

If you're sick and tired of you laptop dying all the time, then the answer may be right in front of you— power management. In Windows 7, it's easy to control your power settings to help you laptop's battery last longer. Watch and learn from none other than Microsoft.

How? For starters, Windows 7 runs with fewer background activities so your PC processor doesn't work as hard and draws less power. Other innovations include less power-hungry DVD playback (handy on long flights), automatic screen dimming, powering off unused ports, and a more accurate battery-life indicator. So you'll be less likely to be surprised by a dead battery.