How to improve battery consumption on Ubuntu systems

Optimizing power consumption is crucial for maximizing laptop battery life and ensuring your device lasts longer on a single charge. With specific adjustments to system settings and the use of specialized tools, Ubuntu systems can achieve impressive battery performance comparable to other popular operating systems.

Though Ubuntu is generally optimized for most hardware configurations out of the box, additional settings and tools can be utilized to further enhance battery efficiency. Key strategies include disabling unnecessary background processes, adjusting display brightness, and employing dedicated power management tools. These adjustments reduce energy consumption, thus extending battery life.

For the best battery performance on an Ubuntu system, fine-tune aspects like screen brightness, hardware usage, and startup applications. Tools like TLP and Powertop offer advanced power management and monitoring capabilities. Keeping your system updated and using lightweight desktop environments can also significantly reduce power usage and improve battery efficiency.

1. Adjust your screen brightness to a comfortable level.

   Reducing screen brightness can significantly improve battery life. However, ensure it's at a level that doesn't strain your eyes.

2. Install the TLP power management tool.

   $ sudo apt update && sudo apt install tlp tlp-rdw

   TLP provides advanced power management and can optimize various settings automatically.

3. Start the TLP service.

   $ sudo tlp start

4. Disable unused hardware like Bluetooth if not in use.

   $ sudo rfkill block bluetooth

   Remember to enable Bluetooth again when needed using:

   $ sudo rfkill unblock bluetooth

5. Disable unnecessary startup applications. Navigate to System Settings > Applications > Startup and untick applications you don't need at startup.
6. Adjust the settings to turn off the display or put the system to sleep when inactive for a specified duration. Navigate to System Settings > Power to adjust these settings.
7. Use integrated graphics if your system has switchable graphics. For example, if you have an Intel and NVIDIA combo, use Intel for normal tasks.

   $ sudo prime-select intel

8. Monitor power consumption using the powertop tool. Install it and check the stats.

   $ sudo apt install powertop && sudo powertop

   With powertop, you can identify processes or services consuming high power and take action accordingly.

9. Ensure you have the latest system updates. Often, newer kernel versions include optimizations for power management.

   $ sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

10. Consider using lightweight desktop environments like LXDE or XFCE if you're using resource-heavy ones like GNOME or KDE.