Charge and release

Here's a little power saver that may only apply to a small percentage of the nation, but a small amount none the less.

For those sporting laptop computers, here's an easy and simple way of cutting back on your power use by a small amount.

Every laptop has a built-in battery, and, no matter how hard you try, it will only hold 100 percent charge. When you're using your laptop, and notice the charge counter reaches 100 percent or thereabouts, try disconnecting the power cable and turning it off at the wall, allowing it to wind back down to around 10 or so percent before re-connecting the power cable. For most laptops that have not already had their batteries 'pre-loved', this should provide you with at least a couple of hours of happy usage, and a couple of hours with your power switched off.

Best of all, the wee fella will love you for it, too, as it will increase your battery life, all the while saving (even if by the smallest amount) power.

Easy.