x60s battery variations

[qchaser]

Hello! I'm on my way ordering a x60s. The questions rises what batteries should I order it with. On the other hand I love portability but on the other hand battery life is what counts. 8cell version seems to bring on around 30% more weight. Anyone experienced how these other versions work in real life. Would I achieve 8cell performance with two light batteries etc?

Thanks,
Q

[jgsx]

If I could do it again, I'd order the laptop with the 8 cell, and purchase a SLIM 4cell. I'd keep the slim 4 cell in when I'm around the house, and have the 8 for the road. I hate how the normal 4 cell has those bumps on the bottom, they make the laptop seem so much bigger, expecially when I am used to the old x40.

[smvp6459]

Yeah. I bought an X60s that came with the 8-cell and then ordered the 4-cell slim line battery for non-travel, day-to-day usage.

[kaspar]

I have the 4-cell slimline and the 8-cell. I usually use the 4-cell because with the display brightness, processor power etc turned down (but still in acceptable levels) it provides plenty of lifetime for most situations that I normally encounter + it doesn't increase the dimensions of the laptop and renders it nicely light. As for the 8-cell, well.. in my humble opinion the weight and depth it adds (which really isn't that much) is not really worth kvetching about when taking into consideration how much power it provides (more than 2 slimlines when I use it).
I don't know how much battery life do you ususally need but I would suggest going for the slimline + 8-cell combo. If you think of going for 2 slims, you would still have to carry them both with you if you want the power of the 8-cell and how can we then talk about portability? Avoid the 4-cell non-slim.

regards,
k

[amgdoc]

I have the 4 cell SLIM and the EXTENDED battery. I never saw the regular 4 cell so I really cannot comment on that, but I hate the 8 cell coming out from the back like that.

[thibouille27]

I think the 4cells slim is for X60s and the "normal" 4cells for X60.
I'm sure the slim is NOT supported on X60 but only on X60s.
Now, can you use the 4cell (normal) on a X60s? Dunno ...

[jgsx]

My x60s came with the 'normal' 4 cell, the one that has the huge bump on the bottom. I want to get a slim 4 cell for it.

[thibouille27]

I checked there http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-63272 and indeed, you can use whatever bettery except a slim line on the X60. Otherwise you can do whatever pleases you.

And yes the normal 4 cells provides 4 hours and the slim line provides only 3 hours.

[archer6]

My X60s (see below) will accept all three batteries

1) Slim line 4 cell
2) Enhanced 4 cell
3) 8 cell

The computer came with the Enhanced 4 cell. I purchased the slim line and 8 cell seperately. Each has it's advantage and in my case I put a higher priority on functionality than style, as I use my computer to do work.

That said however, I actually think that each of them look quite good when installed, considering the limitations that the engineers faced. Other brands simply do not offer such nice options. Usually at best they offer just the standard battery and a longer life battery.

As mentioned in this thread earlier, it is true that the X60 will not accept the slim line battery.

I did a lot of research before making the purchase as I wanted the flexibility of being able to use all three batteries and I'm glad I did. With the slim line battery my X60s only weighs 2.6 lbs, according to a very accurate scale I used. The slim line battery does not protrude in any direction, simply fits flush within the opening for the battery. Therefore the X60s is super slim, light and easy to carry anywhere.

For comarison I placed the X60s side by side on the desk next to the new Dell XPS M1210. The Dell at 11.7" x 8.7" x 1.5" & 4.75 lbs is very unwieldy. The feel is very cumbersome and it has the bulk of a full size laptop. It's 12.1" display was faded, irregular in it's lighting and quite fuzzy when compared side by side. The keys are half size even though the case provides enough space for a full size keyboard. Those here who complain of a noisey keyboard would be shocked at what a noisey keyboard actually sounds like. The mouse buttons are so loud on this Dell that it's embarrassing. But, then again it is a plastic consumer laptop and simply is not in the same class.

It is a clear reminder why Dell is like American cars which rely on discounts or as is the case with Dell, coupons to reduce the price to the point the consumer will overlook the faults and buy the cheap price.

ThinkPads are indeed the notebooks for professionals....

[thibouille27]

I noted someting strange in Power Manager/ battery life indicator.
I changed battery without the usual "change battery" shortcut from Power Manager and did it the way I always did with laptops: put the AC adapter, remove battery#1, put battery#2, remove AC adapter.

Of works it worked BUT... Power Manager indicated crap informations about battery capacity, thnking it still was the sony 8cells chen it was a Sanyo 4 cells.

Did anybody notice that? So we have to go to hibernation?

[qchaser]

Thank you all for your replies so far.

So, if I get this correct the slimline does give at least 2 hours usage with 50% brightness and wi-fi on.

However, during some research I found out that the 8cell battery needs 10h to full charge when the computer is on and 4h when off? Is this information correct? Most of you are suggesting 1+1 battery combination. If I run both batteries empty during the day and if I want to keep the laptop on all the time, there will be problem to get both batteries charged during the night. So, some sort of multi-charger is needed in this case? Any experiences?

Q

[archer6]

Thank you all for your replies so far.

So, if I get this correct the slimline does give at least 2 hours usage with 50% brightness and wi-fi on.

Yes, I easily get nearly 3 hours with the slimline, when I turn down the display to 50% which is more that ample.

However, during some research I found out that the 8cell battery needs 10h to full charge when the computer is on and 4h when off? Is this information correct?

My 8 cell seems to beat that estimate, as it charges from around 15% to full in about 6 hours or less.

If I run both batteries empty during the day and if I want to keep the laptop on all the time, there will be problem to get both batteries charged during the night. So, some sort of multi-charger is needed in this case? Any experiences?

Lenovo sells an External Charger. A very nice unit which I have and enjoy.