/tech/ - Technology★

Pretty cool. Can GNU/Linux laptops last longer than Win10 ones?

>>899680

Only with proper configuration using PowerTOP. Out of the box they can't, unless it's a Chromebook or Dell or something else with Linux pre-installed and tailored to the hardware.

>>899707

>Linux pre-installed and tailored to the hardware.

No such thing.

You can save power by having better and smarter ACPI settings and having software that consumes fewer CPU cycles in general.

>>899707

>PowerTOP

TLP.

>>899711

>no such thing as writing specific drivers for specific hardware

>no such thing as Linux drivers for specific hardware

You're misinformed.

>>899756

There are linux drivers, but you're delusional if you think they're anywhere near as power efficient as Windows or OSX drivers are. Linux kernel devs don't have the documentation or the time.

>>899768

I get better battery life with Linux on my T470 than typical reported figures for Windows users.

Anyway the claim was that there's "no such thing" as specific Linux drivers for power saving features. Nice way to move the goalposts.

>>899770

>Nice way to move the goalposts.

I only replied once and you two are arguing the same point.

Drivers aren't really important in power outside of the GPU maybe. CPU doesn't need em and most WiFi cards use common drivers, not that the drivers do much. Hard to write a power-inefficient driver.

>>899680

With my X230 I would get better battery time with Windows.

Firefox is a big battery eater, that's why I have been using more GNOME Web lately

>>899740

They are not mutually exclusive. You will install, configure and never have to worry about TLP anymore, its passive. PowerTop is more for diagnosis.

>>899772

>Drivers aren't really important in power outside of the GPU maybe.

Wrong.

>CPU doesn't need em

Not "drivers" per se but most CPUs use different techniques for power saving, and Intel's not very consistent with sticking to its own plan anyway. The kernel needs work for every new generation of CPU whatever the architecture.

>and most WiFi cards use common drivers

Many of which have crappy power management, which you'd know if you're a Linux user. It's practically a meme at this point that you need to be extra careful when selecting wireless cards, especially if you want good power management.

>not that the drivers do much. Hard to write a power-inefficient driver.

OK I fell for bait.

But linux is already deprecated by Azure Sphere

>>899772

I bought one of these and i can't tell the difference in battery life on my t500

https://www.trendtechcn.com/Product.aspx?ProductId=325

Sounds good, wonder how much of an impact it really will have.

>>899680

GNU/Linux always lasted around 30 minutes longer for me on my current laptop than Windows did.