Ask HN: Better efficiency in laptops running Linux?

Re:Ask HN: Better efficiency in laptops running Linux? by canterburry on Thursday February 02, 2017 @06:49PM (#13556203)

I run a T520 Lenovo on Ubuntu and had similar challenges until I started to manually turn my GPU on and off. Windows and Mac have excellent drivers which automatically control GPU while Linux does not.

At least on Ubuntu if you have a Nvidia GPU there is a handy widget you can install so simply toggle the GPU but it requires a logout/login each and every time.

Just not the same experience as Windows but in terms of battery life it does the job. I get about 3x battery life when in Intel Graphics vs my Nvidia.

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Re:Ask HN: Better efficiency in laptops running Linux? by gargravarr on Friday February 03, 2017 @08:12AM (#13559536)

This would be my first thought, I also have a laptop with Intel and nVidia graphics. Have you tried Bumblebee? I have it installed, but I don't see much difference. I didn't buy my laptop for the battery life, but it'd be nice if it lasted more than an hour!

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Re:Ask HN: Better efficiency in laptops running Linux? by ge96 on Friday February 03, 2017 @05:41PM (#13563988)

I don't understand how if you turn off GPU, wouldn't your screen not work? I haven't heard of that before (not saying it's not true I just don't know)

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