Laptop computers consume between 15 and 30 watts of power (some as much as 60 watts). Much less power is required when in standby mode.  Generally either one 30W and in some cases two are required.  Some laptops work with only 20W of panel capacity. To decide, multiple the output voltage labeled on your laptop's wall adaptor  (usually a black plastic box in-line with wall plug) by the current (in amps) and this will be the number of watts your laptop uses.  Most laptops use input voltages between 16 and 22 volts at usually 2 to 4 amps (doing the math above, this is between 32 and 88 watts). You will need something around that size in solar panels to power your laptop (sometimes a bit less as this is often the peak power consumption; with conservative power settings you will often draw less).  You will need an automobile power adaptor for your laptop  (one that has a automobile cigarette lighter receptacle male connector on one end). The solar module will have a cigarette lighter receptacle into which you will plug the converter. The laptop will view the solar panel as a battery and will charge and/or spare the battery when in full sun.  Some adaptors are intolerant of the solar panel voltage (17 to 20VDC full sun no load).  If this is the case you will need either a DC-DC adaptor  or alternatively a  Power Center  which includes a 16AH battery and charge controller (available assembled from ConnecticutSolar with connectors). The PowerCenter moderates the solar panel voltage and provides the proper voltage for the adaptor. If you desire to power your laptop and other consumer devices, we recommend a 16AH power center. Weight is around 10 pounds but you will be able to power  your laptop and other devices as desired. Specify two sockets for the output (one for the laptop the other for other devices). Use a 20.8W, 32W or two of either to charge the power center. The size of the panels you use determines how long you will need to charge the power center prior to running the laptop (the lower the panel size, the less time you will have to run/charge the laptop prior to re-charging the power center. Usually two 32W panels will allow you to run the laptop indefinitely in full sun.

Yes, we recommend that you set up the most conservative power settings. These will often be found on Windows machines in your settings directory. Other machines may have the setup in the BIOS settings on bootup. Set the computer to go into suspend mode if not used for a given timeframe and set the most conservative "powermiser" settings if available. This will limit the  quantity of power needed. Charging the laptop internal battery while powered-down is also useful (prevents having to supply the internal devices and monitor, allowing the panel to focus primarily on charging the battery).

Most laptops have a battery charge monitor. Keep track of this and shut down to recharge when the battery is depleted beyond (usually) 25 percent charge or so. Laptop batteries will charge much faster with the computer itself shut down.

Depending upon your laptop you can charge in full sun with the laptop running or for quicker charging with the laptop shut down or suspended. Keep the panels facing the sun and tilted at an angle equal to your latitude plus 10 degrees (i.e. at 40 degrees latitude set panels at 50 degrees from the horizontal). A little less during the summer.