Users running Windows Vista on laptops may see batteries draining faster than they expect, Microsoft said in a warning, because some wireless access points aren't configured to take advantage of the new operating system's Wi-Fi power-saving mode.
In a recent post to Microsoft's official Vista blog, senior product manager Jason Leznek spelled out the company's last-minute decision to change the default power setting of wireless adapters to "maximum performance."
"Test results from Microsoft and our customers show that some Windows Vista beta users experienced connectivity problems when connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots," wrote Leznek in his post. "In many cases, the root cause of the problem is access point or router hardware which is not compatible with the 802.11 power save protocol."
Rather than leave the wireless access card in "power save" mode -- which reduces battery drain by periodically putting the card to sleep -- Microsoft switched the default to a more power-intensive mode, one usually reserved for times when the laptop is connected to AC power, Leznek noted.
"However, this power savings scheme for 802.11 wireless adapters depends on cooperation of the access point," Leznek wrote. "The problem is that many access points do not implement or support the power save feature correctly."
View: Full Article @ TechWeb
In a recent post to Microsoft's official Vista blog, senior product manager Jason Leznek spelled out the company's last-minute decision to change the default power setting of wireless adapters to "maximum performance."
"Test results from Microsoft and our customers show that some Windows Vista beta users experienced connectivity problems when connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots," wrote Leznek in his post. "In many cases, the root cause of the problem is access point or router hardware which is not compatible with the 802.11 power save protocol."
Rather than leave the wireless access card in "power save" mode -- which reduces battery drain by periodically putting the card to sleep -- Microsoft switched the default to a more power-intensive mode, one usually reserved for times when the laptop is connected to AC power, Leznek noted.
"However, this power savings scheme for 802.11 wireless adapters depends on cooperation of the access point," Leznek wrote. "The problem is that many access points do not implement or support the power save feature correctly."
View: Full Article @ TechWeb
My battery lasts 30 minutes more on Vista. (It lasts just about 2 hours on XP).
Don't use my computer out on the street anyways.
This is just sloppy work by Microsoft - sacrificing battery life when they could easily do things properly
In any case, The power modes in Vista are so customizable that I'm happy with it as it is.
Pretty significant difference, I did notice this speed difference before I noticed this article (I also did the tests before I noticed this article) which inspired me to do the test. It's like I'm running Roadrunner Lite.
My battery also drains about 20 - 30 minutes faster on Vista.
The first thing I do now when I set one up to to set it to "Maximum Performance"
Thank goodness Microsoft has finally done the right thing and made wireless usable. Now we just need the card manafacturers to wake up to all the grief they are causing in the name of "power savings"!!
I also advised I had tested this on three different Dell laptop models Latitude D600, D610 and D800 and they where all charged fully and then run at the same time connected wirelessly to the network. The D800 battery consumption drained faster because the D800 is a massive laptop the others where a little slower but they drained faster never the less.
And now all of the sudden as though this is brand new news about Vista Wi-Fi draining your laptop battery which it is clearly not. I reported this to them as a potential major issue which could cause a nightmare for businesses who have employees out in the field using Vista on their laptops.
I will say this again Microsoft, listen to your beta testers especially when they report major issues.
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