Laptop noob here. Actually my first laptop, which has a 2.4Ghz Bay Trail dual core. Even if I use minimum Processor state 0%, the lowest it will go is 499.9MHz. This CPU throttles up almost instantly, and back down in a few seconds, so I think I can squeeze out some more battery if i can drop it to 400MHz or lower on idle. Is that possible? Other power saving things I've done is upgraded to 4GB low voltage RAM, 64GB SSD, dim screen after 1 minute, screen brightness 40%.
No afaik, they're set in stone by the cpu. You can use windows to set a cap on the max frequency though, and keep it at 500mhz, though at that stage I think you're talking about 10 minutes here or there compared to waiting forever for it to do things.
There are T-states (adding to the C-states and P-states) which are pure throttling but they has nothing to do with frequencies.
Not exactly what you're looking for but take a look at: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\ If you change the "Attributes" value of stuff to 0, it'll show up in the Power Saving's settings and you tinker with alot more stuff.
Just read about those registry tweaks. Below 400MHz causes freezes on an i7 mobile CPU, so maybe thats why it's at 500MHz minimum.
Reducing the idle frequency further will only net you a few seconds to a few minutes of battery life at best. Nothing to get excited about. Also nothing that will make a real difference. It's really not worth risking stability for the gain you'll get.
I think they could have made a larger battery instead of trying to be thin. What I hate about technology is that as mobile devices get smaller, so does the battery. I remember my first smartphone. I hated the battery life so much I went back to a flip phone that can't even connect to the internet. Don't be surprised if you see me modding a larger battery to this laptop I'm drunk rambling now
No, cpus have a minimum multiplier for idle, some mobos can override this but you wont have such capability in a non OC/gaming laptop.