Still undecided between 6 cell and 9 cell

[LodenCorp]

I'm still undecided between 6 cell and 9 cell for the T410 i5 with integrated graphics. I have gaps between my classes in college business major. The 6 cell does get around 4 hours and 9 cell gets around 6 hours am I correct? Is this with the machine fully on with the screen not dimmed and no display turning off from idleness? It's also aesthetically not as nice.

From your view, what do you think? and how has the 6 cell or 9 cell fit your daily life? thanks, I really appreciate your help.

[dr_st]

Lenovo quotes the 6-cell for up to 6.6 hours on this model, so I think 4 hours is a fairly safe bet.

Note that the 9-cell on this model has about 66% extra capacity over 6 cell (not 50%), so it should offer even longer runtimes in comparison.

I have both 6-cells and 9-cells, and find both useful, depending on the task at hand. It's a tough decision, but you can always get a second battery later. And through the outlet, it won't cost you an arm and a leg.

[LodenCorp]

Which one do you like better? I did not know it was 66%, that's pretty good. I just feel like the 9 cell is ugly and holding the laptop would feel awkward since it's not flush. How do you handle it and what do you think? 4 hours seems reasonable but the main thing is how long will it take until the battery capacity starts declining? I don't want my 6 cell to be 4 hours and then 3 and then 2 hours.

How long does it take to charge the 6 and 9 cell when powered off? Thanks

[dr_st]

I don't have a a T410, in case you were wondering. The 6/9-cells are on my T60s. But most things apply. Naturally I prefer to walk around with the smaller batteries, cause it shaves about 150 grams for the weight, and reduces the footprint slightly.

At work and at home I am never without access to a power supply, so I would be able to survive only with a 6-cell. Sometimes when I am at long sessions of working away from my desk (in the lab at work or in a random coffee shop), I prefer the 9-cell for the longer runtime.

I don't know about the T410, because they did change the design, and the battery is bigger, but on the T60, the extended battery is by no means ugly, and feels quite natural. It actually has an advantage, because you can use it as sort of a handle when carrying the laptop, or holding it open with one hand.

Regarding charging times - I never took exact measurements. Also charging is non-linear - the first 70% probably takes about as much time as the last 30%. I would say when the machine is off - about 1.5 hours for the 6-cell and 2-2.5 hours for the 9-cell.

Finally, regarding degradation - well, that's really the luck of the draw.

My 9-cells are now between 3 and 4 years old, both with 200+ cycles, and still have about 80-85% capacity left. The 6-cells are younger and have only ~100 cycles, with 90%+ capacity left. On the other hand, I've seen cases of people where the battery loses almost 50% after 2 years, or just flat out dies. You never know.

[LodenCorp]

How do you only get 200+ cycles in 3-4 years? Don't you charge everyday?
Does plugging it into a power source even when you have battery still considered a cycle?

I had good feelings about the 6 cell until you told me how some people get bad luck on the 6 cell and have the capacity drain.....

[dr_st]

One cycle is roughly one full drain or one full charge of the battery. Partial drains/charges count towards full cycles. So just leaving the computer plugged (or unplugged) will not count as a cycle, no matter what the battery charge is.

[LodenCorp]

One cycle is roughly one full drain or one full charge of the battery. Partial drains/charges count towards full cycles. So just leaving the computer plugged (or unplugged) will not count as a cycle, no matter what the battery charge is.

So you're saying if I charge 50% now and 50% later, that's one full charge?
Can I ask what you mean by your last statement, "leaving it plugged won't count as a cycle no matter what the charge is"
Won't it be charging if it's plugged in which counts towards the 100%?

[dr_st]

Yes, but once it's at 100% (or whatever maximum charge level you define in the Power Manager), it stops.

[LodenCorp]

Just wanted to let you know I went with the 6 cell because I think 4 hours is plenty and that I can't deal with the extra weight and bulk of the 9 cell.

[ZaZ]

I have the 9 cell on my X200. I'd agree it makes an excellent handle when carrying the machine around. The extra battery is a bonus which I don't really use. The aesthetics of the battery sticking out doesn't bother me personally. I guess it's a personal preference.

[vinuneuro]

I'm interested in this also. My T400 per it's model number comes with a 9-cell, but I'm considering putting up a trade offer (plus $$ on their part) for a 6-cell. I don't use the battery all that often and I'm concerned about it aging with time rather than cycles; although I imagine the extra life will be convenient when I need it.

[dr_st]

Are you talking about T400 or T410? Because on a T400 the 9-cell is the most hideous thing you've ever imagined attached to the back of your laptop. Even the 6-cell sticks out.

[vinuneuro]

lol! T400

This doesn't look that bad. I'll find out tomorrow when the new laptop arrives. I'm typing this on a T400 with a 6-cell right now and it looks about the same as my T60 did with the 9-cell.

9-cell
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2385/287 ... 47e1_o.jpg

[emeraldgirl08]

I use the four-cell in my day-to-day affairs. I recently bought a Lowepro messenger bag and it actually is nice for all my school books and the T400- with sleeve. It even has room for my six-cell battery.

The thing is... I haven't used that six-cell battery since May!!!

It's been designated my "just there for an emergency" battery. I also feel the six-cell is not too bad! I think the slice battery is pretty hardcore though!

[raydabruce]

I have the 9 cell on my X200. I'd agree it makes an excellent handle when carrying the machine around. The extra battery is a bonus which I don't really use. The aesthetics of the battery sticking out doesn't bother me personally. I guess it's a personal preference.

I have the 9-cell on my X201 and the asymmetry does bother me. So does the extra weight. So, for everyday mobile use I bought a 4-cell and save the 9-cell for trips or any extended period away from AC outlets.

BTW, I don't recommend carrying it around by the protruding battery. It wobbles enough as it is. (That's intentional I've heard, to allow for heat expansion.)

[LodenCorp]

I have the 9 cell on my X200. I'd agree it makes an excellent handle when carrying the machine around. The extra battery is a bonus which I don't really use. The aesthetics of the battery sticking out doesn't bother me personally. I guess it's a personal preference.

I have the 9-cell on my X201 and the asymmetry does bother me. So does the extra weight. So, for everyday mobile use I bought a 4-cell and save the 9-cell for trips or any extended period away from AC outlets.

BTW, I don't recommend carrying it around by the protruding battery. It wobbles enough as it is. (That's intentional I've heard, to allow for heat expansion.)[/quote]

The 9 cell really wobbles? I think i've seen a video where it shook a little, I always thought it was firm. I'm wondering what happens if the thinkpad drops hard on the battery in a awkward manner. It could break and ruin the connectors since a part of the battery is inserted inside right?

Anyways i'm glad I got the 6 cell but waiting almost a month for it....is hard

[raydabruce]

Anyways i'm glad I got the 6 cell but waiting almost a month for it....is hard

Almost everyone I've talked to with an X201 mentions the now infamous battery-wobble. It's not severe, pronounced or alarming. It's just a tiny bit disconcerting. The theory is that it is intentional to allow for expansion when warm. I can attest that the wobble does indeed diminish when the computer has been under strain for a while and running warm while the battery is being charged.

[raydabruce]

I'm currently sitting at one of the outside tables at a Starbucks that closed a couple hours ago. I'm using my X201 with a 9-cell battery. Just web-surfing with the Wi-Fi, Power Manager reports 76% remaining, 6 hours, 10 minutes time remaining.

I'm using the "ThinkPad Default" power plan and screen brightness is at 9 (out of 15). Screen brightness seems to be the major factor in determining run time. If I turn it all the way up (too bright for these conditions) the time remaining drops by almost an hour. Starbucks now has totally free Wi-Fi.... no card purchase necessary, and they leave it on 24/7 -- at least at this one they do, I don't know about others. The bandwidth is pretty good for coffee shop Wi-Fi, better than most. Around 1.2 megabits/sec both up and down. Plenty fast for just web-surfing.

[ZaZ]

I'm using the "ThinkPad Default" power plan and screen brightness is at 9 (out of 15). Screen brightness seems to be the major factor in determining run time.

The screen's the biggest juice sucker on a laptop.

[raydabruce]

The screen's the biggest juice sucker on a laptop.

I believe it. You can tweak the settings in Power Manager and turn off just about everything in the BIOS but it's all pretty much for naught if you turn the screen brightness way up. Just knocking the brightness level down a notch or two can make a noticeable difference.