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Arch Linux Laptop Battery Tweaks Guide

INFO

This guide helps improve battery life on Arch Linux laptops.

1. Battery Optimization

WARNING

Avoid using both tlp and auto-cpufreq together as they can conflict with each other. Choose one power management tool.

INFO

auto-cpufreq adjusts CPU frequency and power based on system load.

  • Install auto-cpufreq:

    bash
    yay -S auto-cpufreq
  • Test in live mode:

    bash
    sudo auto-cpufreq --live
  • Enable automatic startup:

    bash
    sudo auto-cpufreq --install
  • Monitor system behavior:

    bash
    sudo auto-cpufreq --monitor
  • View CPU stats:

    bash
    sudo auto-cpufreq --stats
  • Uninstall:

    bash
    sudo auto-cpufreq --remove

1.2. Using TLP (Advanced Power Management)

INFO

TLP optimizes battery life automatically.

  • Install TLP:

    bash
    sudo pacman -S tlp tlp-rdw
  • Start and enable TLP:

    bash
    sudo systemctl enable tlp --now
  • Check TLP status:

    bash
    sudo tlp-stat
  • Optional: Install GUI for TLP:

    bash
    yay -S tlpui

2. Adjust Swap Usage (Swappiness)

INFO

Reduce swap usage for better performance.

  • Check current swappiness:

    bash
    cat /proc/sys/vm/swappiness
  • Set swappiness to 10:

    Edit /etc/sysctl.conf:

    bash
    sudo nano /etc/sysctl.conf

    Add:

    bash
    vm.swappiness=10
  • Apply changes:

    bash
    sudo sysctl -p

3. File System Performance (noatime)

INFO

Disable file access time writes for better performance, especially on SSDs.

  • Edit /etc/fstab:

    bash
    sudo nano /etc/fstab

    Add noatime to the root partition:

    bash
    UUID=<your-disk-UUID> / ext4 defaults,noatime 0 1

    Reboot to apply changes:

    bash
    sudo reboot

4. System Monitoring Tools

4.1. powertop (Power Consumption Monitor)

  • Install powertop:

    bash
    sudo pacman -S powertop
  • Run powertop in interactive mode:

    bash
    sudo powertop
  • Optimize settings:

    bash
    sudo powertop --auto-tune

4.2. btop or htop (Resource Monitoring)

  • Install btop:

    bash
    sudo pacman -S btop
  • Install htop:

    bash
    sudo pacman -S htop