Over the years, Windows has gotten progressively better at laptop ability management--but it still doesn't tell you very much about your battery.
Enter BatteryBar, a totally free, easy, ingenious ability gauge that is compatible with XP, Vista, and Windows 7--and really should have been built into all three of them.
Generally, you have to mouse over that tiny System Tray strength icon if you would like Windows' read on just how much battery life is left. BatteryBar adds a full-time, at-a-glance gauge to the proper side of the taskbar, which, by itself, is mighty handy.
That gauge shows you either a percentage of battery life remaining or the amount of runtime left; clicking it toggles between the two readings. Interestingly, when you're running on AC energy, the gauge switches from green to blue and shows how long until you reach a full cost.
But wait, there's far more: if you mouse more than the gauge, a pop-up window displays a boatload of extra facts, for example total battery capacity, charge/discharge rate, AC status, and even a lifetime estimate based on historical charge/discharge data. That's what I'm talking about!
Although BatteryBar is no cost, there's also a Pro version that adds a lot more features, like a graph of battery profiles, low/critical energy warnings, and automatic power-scheme switching that kicks in when you switch between AC and battery ability.
How much? The developer sort of lets you choose your own price: $3 for a one-year license, $5 for two years, or $7-9 for lifetime. Pony up $10 and you get two lifetime licenses.
While I suspect most users will probably be happy enough with the no cost version, I admire this creative approach to pricing.
I love this program. Do not run a laptop without it.
