Articles tagged: power

Photo of two modern smartphones side by side on a wooden table. The smartphone on the left displays a vivid lightning bolt icon on its screen, symbolizing fast charging. The smartphone on the right shows a detailed snail icon, representing slow charging. Both phones are connected to their respective chargers, with cables leading off the table.

Why Does My Phone Charge Slowly on Some Chargers?

Why do some chargers work faster or slower than others? We’ll take a look at some basic electrical concepts to understand what to look for in a charger.

Turning Off the Power

Should I Turn My Computer Off at Night?

Turning your computer off at night might be appropriate. But is it saving energy? It’s hard to say.

Power Supplies and Cables

Can I Use a Charger With the Same Voltage but Different Amperage Rating?

Chargers and power supplies come in a wide variety of configurations. Choosing the right one is important. I’ll look at a few of the parameters.

Power Supply

Can I Use a Higher Wattage Power Supply With My Laptop?

The voltage and polarity of the power supply must match. Amps and watts have some flexibility.

Power Button

Tip of the Day: Powered Off Isn’t Always Off

Power and Sleep Options

Tip of the Day: Leave Your Laptop Running When Plugged In

Sleep, while more reliable than in the past, can still be a problem if you expect your machine to stay on when plugged in.

Power Button settings

Tip of the Day: Control Your Laptop’s Power Button

Uninterruptible Power Supply

If Shutting Down Windows Cleanly Is So Important, What Happens When the Power Just Goes Out?

We’re all told to shut down Windows before turning power off, but what if the power just goes out? If you’re not protected, bad things can happen.

Windows 8 Shutdown Options

How Do I Shut Down Windows 8?

It’s not at all obvious to new users how to shut down Windows 8. I’ll quickly walk you through the steps to locate the option to shut down or restart Windows 8.