Windows 7 Adds Battery Life

Information Week has a story that claims Windows 7's battery life is improved over Windows Vista -- and by a substantial amount.

The article says that Microsoft worked closely with chip maker Intel during the development of Windows 7, and found numerous ways to save power. An Intel executive says that a Windows 7 laptop uses about 20 percent less power over the exact same laptop running Vista, which could translate to an hour or more of additional battery life.

Those numbers, if true, represent a significant boost in potential productivity for business travelers and others without regular access to power outlets; they're also another reason to strongly consider upgrading to Windows 7.