RealNetworks rep to Linux: DRM or die! Linux Is Dead Already 869

On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 07:18:27 -0700, Larry Qualig

I have a Toshiba Tecra M3 with a 2GHz Pentium M. I have it set up in both Windows and Linux for longest battery life. Both Linux and Windows indicate that I should get about 2.5 hours out of a full charge. I have timed the actual operational periods. Under Windows I get from 1.5 to 2 hours out of a fully charged battery. Under Linux I get between 2 to 3 hours out of a charge.

I mainly need long battery life when I'm in an aeroplane or a train. Under these circumstances, the WLAN is almost always turned off. The operations are generally writing documents, reviewing documents, doing mind-maps, reading email that has already been downloaded, queueing email for the next time I have a connection to the Internet, working on project plans and compiling & reviewing code (C++, Java, C). I can do all these things both under Linux and Windows.

Under Windows the machine also runs MUCH hotter and the fan runs most of the time (probably one reason for less battery life). The notebook gets so hot that you can't keep it on your lap without getting burnt.

Under Linux the computer spends most of its time running at 800 MHz and it is still quite responsive. Under Windows the CPU spends much of its time at 2 GHz. Windows simply pushes the hardware harder and at least on this hardware it makes a big difference in battery life.

The one caveat here is that I get better battery life under Gnome. Using KDE, the battery life under Linux is about the same as it is under Windows.

Ian