Extend battery time: ultrabay battery?

[thinktank]

I am looking to extend the time I can work on my T60 without a socket. I currently have the standard 6 cell battery and that works fine for most purposes. I don't really want the 9-cell battery since it is sticking out and wouldn't fit me sleeve anylonger.

I am thinking about getting the ultrabay battery instead e.g. for airtravel etc.

How many hours could I epect with the 6cell plus drivebay battery configuration (using mostly office applications and internet)?

Are there different kinds of ultrabay battery for the T60? Price range?

[Superego]

The specs say you can get about 2 hours out the battery. When I first got the battery I got about 1.75 hours out of it (wireless off, battery optimized power scheme, etc.)....now I'm down to about 1-1.25. The problem with the ultrabay batteries is that because of what they are designed to do it is really easy to abuse them (drain, recharge, drain, recharge,...). As such their charge capacity can plummet quickly (depending on how you use them, of course). I like it for airplane use, but I will probably replace it in a few months with a new one (and really baby it) or possibly a 6 cell (I'm using a 9 cell). Have you considered getting a second 6 cell? The cost and weight are definitely something to think about, but it might be an option to consider.

[ducky2802]

Hi,

I just ordered up two ultra bay batteries for the T60 2ghz. Ill monitor it and see how it goes and put up the results here. I remember using them on a T40 a while back and 2 hours sounds about right....though I think the core duos take a bit more power than the pentium m. But superego is right...from the t40 at least, the power settings would use up the ultra bay batteries first, and charge them last, which is done to preserve the regular 6 cell.

[thinktank]

So correct me if I understand this wrong:

It's two ADDITIONAL hours with the ultrabay battery. So in total I would look at around 4h?

What would a 9-cell in addition to my existing 6-cell get me? Probably more, right?

A total of around 5 hours would be great...

[ducky2802]

Hi,

The difference is not much. Lenovo rates the standard 6 cell at 5.2 AH, the ultra bay 3 cell at 2.7AH, and the 9 cell (yes, like 6cell+3cell) at 7.8AH. So performance wise, the numbers are about the same...just think about how many hours you get on your current 6 cell under your usage conditions and add in 50% more time.

As for me, I prefer the 6 cell and ultra bay battery because I rarely use the dvd drive and my case does not support any extended batteries in the back.