A computing device such as a notebook computer comprises a processor and one or more power sources. A plurality of operational states are defined, each with a set of device operation choices for settings (such as power management or configuration) appropriate to that operational state. The processor is adapted to determine a present operational state. The present operational state is not defined solely by the active power source--it may be defined in part by the location of the mobile computing device, its network status, the active power source, the state of battery charge, or by a model of user behavior. The processor is further adapted to implement the device operation choices for the present operational state.