Connected Standby: Why Your Windows 8 Battery Drains
Understanding Connected Standby in Windows
Connected Standby represents a novel functionality introduced with Windows 8. Initially, support for this feature was limited to ARM-based devices running Windows RT.
However, the scope has expanded. Certain Intel Atom PCs equipped with the complete Windows 8 operating system now also offer Connected Standby capabilities, and its prevalence is projected to increase.
The Goal: An "Always-On" Experience
Microsoft developed Connected Standby as a means of providing Windows 8 and 8.1 users with an experience comparable to the "always-on" responsiveness found in devices like iPads, Android tablets, and smartphones.
A key distinction is that systems utilizing Connected Standby are unable to leverage traditional power-saving states such as Sleep and Hibernate.
How Connected Standby Differs
Unlike conventional power management, Connected Standby maintains a persistent connection to the network. This allows for background updates and synchronization.
- Traditional Sleep and Hibernate modes completely disconnect from the network.
- Connected Standby keeps a limited network connection active.
This continuous connectivity is what enables the near-instantaneous wake-up times associated with the feature, mirroring the behavior of mobile devices.
The implementation of Connected Standby requires specific hardware and software configurations to ensure optimal performance and battery life.
What is Connected Standby?
Related: Should You Shut Down, Sleep, or Hibernate Your Laptop?
Traditional computers, whether PCs or Macs utilizing Intel or AMD processors, operate with distinct power states. These states encompass being fully on, completely off, or residing in a power-conserving mode. Typically, laptops transition to sleep mode after a period of inactivity or upon lid closure.
During sleep, the computer maintains power to its memory, enabling a rapid startup. Alternatively, PCs can hibernate, often automatically after prolonged sleep. Hibernation involves saving the memory's contents to the hard drive before shutting down. Upon restarting, the system state is restored from the hard drive, recreating the previously open environment. Both sleep and hibernate facilitate quick resumption of work, but the computer remains essentially inactive and unable to perform tasks while in these states.
Conversely, smartphones and tablets function differently. When left idle for extended periods, their screens deactivate, and the devices enter a low-power mode. However, this isn't equivalent to a PC's sleep or hibernate.
These mobile devices periodically awaken to check for new emails, deliver notifications, and execute other background processes. This frequent waking gives the impression that the device is consistently operational – you don’t experience a boot-up delay.
Related: ARM vs. Intel: What It Means for Windows, Chromebook, and Android Software Compatibility
PCs are comparatively slower to respond. Even when in sleep mode, a PC requires a moment to resume operation. Following startup, it must then check for updated content. If using an instant messaging application, a sleeping computer will disconnect you, preventing the receipt of new messages.
Connected Standby represents a low-power state designed to enable Windows 8 and 8.1 to behave more like tablets or smartphones. It is initially supported on Windows RT devices, such as the Surface RT and Surface 2. Intel is also actively developing support for Connected Standby within its CPUs.
This development aims to allow Intel-powered tablets to achieve a similar level of responsiveness as ARM-based devices, effectively mirroring the always-on functionality of a smartphone. Your PC will then operate with increased efficiency and responsiveness.
Understanding the Mechanics of Connected Standby
Related: Essential Considerations When Purchasing Windows 8.1 Touchscreen PCs
The implementation of Connected Standby isn't universally available across all computer models. Specific hardware support, encompassing both the CPU and the broader system architecture, is a prerequisite. A Windows device is either engineered to support Connected Standby, or it isn't.
Connected Standby functions as a replacement for the traditional Sleep and Hibernate power states commonly found in PCs. Consequently, utilizing Sleep or Hibernate as alternatives to Connected Standby is not possible. While display timeout settings remain configurable, Connected Standby is initiated upon screen deactivation, rather than Sleep. Standard shutdown functionality remains unaffected.
While operating in Connected Standby, the PC actively monitors for notifications and periodically awakens to retrieve updated information, such as new emails and live tile updates. For example, an incoming chat message can trigger a system wake-up and subsequent notification. The screen remains inactive during these processes, mirroring the functionality of a smartphone performing background tasks.
It's important to note that these background update capabilities are exclusive to Windows 8's "Store apps." Therefore, the built-in Mail application will automatically check for new emails, while traditional desktop email clients will not.
Which Devices Utilize Connected Standby?
Related: What is Windows RT, and in what ways does it differ from Windows 8?
Connected Standby is exclusively implemented on all Windows RT devices. These devices are equipped with ARM processors, enabling support for this consistently-on, energy-efficient mode. Currently, this encompasses the Surface RT, Surface 2, and Nokia Lumia 2520 – all manufactured by Microsoft.
The adoption of Connected Standby is expanding through Intel’s chip development. Intel’s “Clover Trail” Atom processor series provides compatibility with connected standby functionality. For example, purchasing a tablet such as the Thinkpad Tablet 2 will result in the utilization of Connected Standby instead of traditional Sleep and Hibernate modes.
Connected Standby is particularly well-suited for mobile devices prioritizing minimal power draw. However, Intel is actively striving to match ARM’s capabilities in this area. It is anticipated that Connected Standby will eventually be integrated into more powerful Intel CPUs, increasing its prevalence even within the laptop market.
Currently, more powerful CPUs, including Intel’s Haswell series of Core processors, do not offer support for Connected Standby. Consequently, devices powered by Haswell, like the Microsoft Surface Pro 2, cannot achieve the always-on, tablet-like experience provided by Connected Standby.
These devices are limited to Sleep or Hibernate functionality.
Devices Supporting Connected Standby:
- Surface RT
- Surface 2
- Nokia Lumia 2520
- Thinkpad Tablet 2 (and other Clover Trail Atom-based tablets)
Intel is continually working to broaden the availability of this feature across its product lines.
Addressing Connected Standby: Can It Be Turned Off?
A complete disabling of Connected Standby isn't possible, which can present a challenge for users prioritizing power conservation. For instance, a standard laptop can be left unused for weeks and should transition to sleep and then hibernation, significantly preserving battery life.
Conversely, a PC utilizing Connected Standby will remain active even during extended periods of inactivity, periodically waking to synchronize data. This behavior can lead to a fully depleted battery after several weeks of non-use.
According to Intel, “A system in Connected Standby remains updated, supports real-time communication applications, and can maintain this state for a week or longer on a single charge.”
This functionality is beneficial for those desiring an always-on experience. However, it also means your laptop’s battery will discharge while idle, potentially being empty after just a week – or even sooner with regular use. You might find unexpectedly low battery levels upon resuming use after a few days.
Although direct disabling of Connected Standby isn't available, a workaround exists: fully power off the tablet or laptop when prolonged use isn't anticipated. A complete shutdown prevents any wake-up activity, unlike simply pressing the power button.
Alternatively, activating Airplane Mode before sleep can mitigate battery drain. This prevents the device from accessing the internet or downloading updates, allowing it to remain in a deeper sleep state without regular interruptions.
Overall, Connected Standby offers a convenient feature, enabling Windows 8.1 tablets and PCs – including those with Intel processors – to operate more similarly to mobile devices.
Despite its advantages, Microsoft should consider offering users the option to disable this feature without requiring the consistent use of Airplane Mode. Many users acquiring Atom-powered tablets and laptops will prefer PC-like functionality without unnecessary battery consumption during idle periods.
