MY THEME: Notebook PC Netbook PC Gamer PC
Discussions > Notebook PC > The End of...
Discussions
The End of Removable Batteries?
Posted by anand lalshimpi in Notebook PC | Jun. 14, 2009 11:00 PM
Last week I reviewed Apple’s new 15-inch MacBook Pro. You can read the review here but I’ll summarize the important part for you.
Through some nifty new battery technology, Apple was able to cram a 74WHr battery into the same chassis that originally held a 50WHr battery. That’s a 46% increase in battery capacity. And here’s the kicker, Apple did it without increasing the size or the weight of the notebook at all. The dimensions of the new 15-inch MacBook Pro are identical to the old one and they both weigh 5.5 lbs.
A 46% increase in battery capacity is nothing to scoff at. That will deliver, at minimum, a 46% increase in battery life. My tests found that through some other optimizations Apple was able to squeeze even more battery life out of the machine. The 15” notebook will last you anywhere between 5 to 8 hours on a single charge. The previous version? 3 - 5 hours.
The improvements are nothing to scoff at. But Apple claims that they are made possible through the use of a non-removable lithium polymer battery. If you’d like, you can unscrew the base of the notebook and remove the battery yourself, but doing so voids your warranty. If you’re worried about its premature death Apple appears to have to implemented an intelligent charging technology into the battery that extends its usable lifespan up to 1000 cycles, which Apple works out to be around 5 years of normal use.
In my opinion, I’d take 8 hours of battery life from a 15” notebook that weighs 5.5 lbs over a removable battery any day. But perhaps I’m in the minority. Is this the sort of tradeoff you’re willing to make? I suspect that if everyone accepts what Apple has done then we’ll see more OEMs move to custom lithium polymer battery designs. You’ve got the ears of ASUS and Intel among other major players in the industry, what say you?
Hi this is Moshe
Pleas look at my post.
Comments will be appreciated.
http://www.wepc.com/vote/view/dream/7362/William_Gibson_Cyberspace_Machine
Edit: Make that "non-removable" instead of "removable" in the last sentence.
If the notebook is used as a desktop replacement even on occasion, the ability to remove the battery and work off of AC only substantially increases the life of the battery by reducing the number of cycles. It the removable battery has the ability to be totally switched off from the AC line, then this wouldn't be an issue.
Really, ask yourself, do you have a spare, charged battery lying around? Do you always carry one in order to swap it out?
On the other hand, have you ever run out of battery on your laptop? Would another hour or two have helped?
If your battery goes bad you can still replace it for close to the same amount that a new battery costs. I really cannot see the disadvantage unless you regularly carry a charged battery along with you.
@nick "frequently I do work without access to any outlets for an entire day"
You should probably be using a car inverter and your AC brick or an external power source, then. I'm positive Apple and/or Belkin will role out such a solution.
Another point with the integrated batteries is the "Green" factor. Apple is claiming 5 years of use on these batteries. That results in fewer batteries overall being produced. Also if the battery does go bad, you pretty much have to take it to an Apple store to have it replaced. This should ensure proper disposal of the battery, which I'm sure is something most people don't consider.
As with most things it's a matter of use and convenience... Apple's target market tends to be people who want something cool and shiny. I do work in IT myself and have a first generation unibody Macbook Pro, from a professional viewpoint I like having a removable battery, because I know due to erratic use (i.e not always doing full charge and depletion cycles) the battery will inevitably go bad. But I would imagine those who don't really concern themselves with technology would more than likely take it back to the Apple store to fix anyway.
I think integrated batteries, although technically maybe better, will ultimately annoy people, there will be people who will want to be able to replace batteries on cue and not being able to is a real turn off. I think Apple are gambling on the fact that their products are sexy to counter this argument. They could easily bit these 1000 charge cycle batteries as removables anyway...
My 2 pennies
Jon
Extra batteries are a life-saver for me, frequently I do work without access to any outlets for an entire day, and I doubt that Macbook will provide 5-8 hours of extremely heavy usage.
I think the real minority is the people who actually use multiple batteries. I work in IT, and I can't think of anyone who keeps a spare laptop battery. So yeah, apple are on the right track here.
Realistically, the huge majority of laptop use is probably 80% at a desk, where it can be plugged in. The other 20% is while traveling, and most people are happy enough to work until the battery dies then do something else. It's only critical to people who really have to work 8 hours while away from power. Those people are very few.
Sweet. I may also opt for that kind of a trade-off. With those specs, I'd probably only need an extra external battery if I were a mountaineer.