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Glossary · PC Handhelds

TDP (Thermal Design Power)

TDP is the power budget, in watts, a handheld allots its processor. It is the master dial: raise it for more performance and shorter battery, lower it for the reverse. Most modern PC handhelds let you set it, which is why a single device can be a two-hour powerhouse or a five-hour cruiser depending on the number you choose. Every honest battery claim on this site is a band at a stated TDP, because a battery figure without a TDP attached describes nothing you can plan around.

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