Should I get a 6-cell or 9-cell when I buy a new battery?

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#1 Post by **K. Eng** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:21 am

My T40's battery is down to about 33 Watt/hrs of capacity (gives me about 2.5 hours with wifi enabled and screen at half brightness (13 watts power use)).

I am contemplating buying a new battery.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 905&depa=0
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 903&depa=0

$104 shipped for the 9-cell, and $89 shipped for the 6-cell. Refurbed 9-cells are about $89 shipped from newegg.

To those who have the 9-cell - is it worth the nominal extra cost, extra weight , and and battery sticking out the back for the extra capacity?

I've calculated that at 13 watts usage, I can get roughly 5.5 hrs out of the extended battery and 3.7 hours of use out of the standard battery.

plucky duck · #2 Post by **plucky duck** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:47 am

I have the 9-cell and the extension at the back doesn't bother me at all as I don't see it in the first place. It works as a handle if I need to have it held or adds as support if I have it on my lap.

Th gain in portability and useability outweighs the nominal gain in size and weight, imo.

dpb · #3 Post by **dpb** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:48 am

You can probably knock about 30 min. off your estimates for real-world use, but otherwise the time estimates are correct. As you noticed, however, battery capacity always shrinks over time.

Really, it's dependent on you. For me, the high capacity battery is a no-brainer because I like to sit in the back yard, smoking a cigar, listening to the ball game and surfing the Net. With a standard battery, I run out of juice before the game is over. The weight/size issue hasn't bothered me in the least because I don't have a traveling-type job. I take it to and from work a lot, but that's just a matter of carrying it to and from the car.

If you think you might like the longer battery life, especially over a several year span, go for it.

hmphargh · #4 Post by **hmphargh** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:03 am

go with the 9-cell, spend the few extra $$$, but i'd steer clear of the refub batteries. maybe im paraboid, but something about refurb batteries doesnt sit well with me

nowstime · #5 Post by **nowstime** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:19 am

I have the 9 cell and love it...the extra time is worth it...

But finding a perfect slip case is impossible but it really kinda works as a handle when in mobile situations...

atlacatl · #6 Post by **atlacatl** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:20 am

My orginal order came with the 9 cell - Long battery life.

However, I didn't like the sitcking part and I wanted the nicer looking 6 cell. So I bought the 6 cell - It's looks flush with the back and it makes the machine easier to move around, as the 9 cell battery is heavier and it throws the machine's balance.

To make it short: get both

I have the 6 cell on all the time and the 9 cell charged in my backpack - Once in a while I actually thing that the 9 cell battery looks very cool

mattfromomaha · #7 Post by **mattfromomaha** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:21 am

Is your battery still under the one-year warranty? If so, IBM should replace it.

#8 Post by **K. Eng** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 12:23 pm

I've been using the battery since I got my ThinkPad in May 2003, so the battery is well out of warranty.

I'm still not sure what to get - I'm leaning towards a 6-cell since I want to keep the weight of the machine down. In any case, I probably won't get a new battery until the capacity on my current one falls below 26 watt/hrs (or about 2 hours worth of charge).

Thanks for everyone's input.

mattfromomaha wrote:Is your battery still under the one-year warranty? If so, IBM should replace it.

Daniel · #9 Post by **Daniel** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 1:08 pm

atlacatl wrote: To make it short: get both

I use the 6 cell almost all the time, leaving the 9 cell for on the go travel duty. You can't go wrong having both.

Check on EBay. It seems like you're not in a rush to get a battery and there are some great deals on new batteries. I picked up a 6cell for $30, brand new, real IBM.

Kenn · #10 Post by **Kenn** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 2:22 pm

Daniel wrote:
atlacatl wrote: To make it short: get both
I use the 6 cell almost all the time, leaving the 9 cell for on the go travel duty. You can't go wrong having both.

Check on EBay. It seems like you're not in a rush to get a battery and there are some great deals on new batteries. I picked up a 6cell for $30, brand new, real IBM.

The only caveat about buying batteries from out-of-the-way places - Li-ion batteries lose their capacity over time despite usage. So a battery that has been sitting around in a warehouse for a year will have less total charge than a new one. After 2-3 years (currently not a problem for t4x batteries I assume) they'll be unusable. If you can, check the manufacture date on the battery before you buy, that's when the countdown begins.

Back to the subject, I have both, and while I don't mind the extra weight/size of the 9-cell, the 6-cell has enough juice for me to use it day to day. I keep the 9-cell for travel or for anticipated long-battery days. I think either would be a fine purchase.

RoadHazard · #11 Post by **RoadHazard** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 1:06 am

That's a thought! I prefer to have the 6-cell from day 1 because of the weight. I think I'll just order a new 6-cell to use daily and keep the 9-call for traveling.

Matt_ · #12 Post by **Matt_** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:37 pm

Quick question: If I buy a T42 laptop that comes with a 6cell, when I am ready to order it by phone from IBM, is it possible to request that it be shipped with the 9cell inside instead of the 6cell (and then just pay the price difference between the two battery types) ?

Guest · #13 Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:43 pm

For all those recommending him buying both isn't that bad. WHy have a battery that you are not going to use. You are not supposed to buy a battery unless you need it. Sitting in your refrigetator means nothing when you could get a brand new one when you need it. Unless of course you would be swapping both on a regular basis.

Leon · #14 Post by **Leon** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:03 pm

mattfromomaha wrote:Is your battery still under the one-year warranty? If so, IBM should replace it.

Who knows IBM's battery replacement policy? Under what circumstances will they replace a battery under the 1 year warranty?

Leon · #15 Post by **Leon** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 1:35 pm

anyone, is this policy ambiguous or just a mystery... what good is a one year warranty without specifics...

bootleg2go · #16 Post by **bootleg2go** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 3:28 pm

You can get the 9 cell high capacity battery over at
www.computergiants.com for $89 it is a sealed new battery from IBM, the manufacture date on the one I just bought was 5/2004

Jack

Logi7 · #17 Post by **Logi7** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 4:03 pm

are the batteries only under warranty for 1 year?

[censored].. ive been treating mine pretty poorly

bootleg2go · #18 Post by **bootleg2go** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 4:44 pm

Logi7 wrote:are the batteries only under warranty for 1 year?

[censored].. ive been treating mine pretty poorly

I don't know, whatever the standard thinkpad battery warranty is I suppose. It comes in an IBM tamper-proof sealed box.
A greatt deal for $89

Jack

Matt_ · #19 Post by **Matt_** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 5:56 pm

I probably spent way too much time on this, but I went through the different price comparison sites and compared prices along with retailer ratings. Unfortunately, these results are only for the 08K8197 ThinkPad T40/R50 Series High Capacity Li-Ion Battery [ $ 179.00 -- IBM's price]

I say "unfortunately" because the who-has-the-best-price-for-the-ultrabay and the who-carries-what may be entirely different for the 08K8190 ThinkPad Ultrabay Slim Li Polymer Battery [ $ 189.00 -- IBM's price]

I ignored those etailers who are selling the battery for over $ 150

http://www.computergiants.com/
$ 85 for 08K8197 as of 08/26/04
bizrate.com - no customer ratings as of 08/26/04
nextag.com - no listing as of 08/26/04
pricegrabber.com - As of 08/26/04, 160 reviews
shopping.com - no listing as of 08/26/04

http://www.newegg.com
Haven't seen this store listed in the pricecomparison sites for a "08K8197".
It is recommended at this forum

http://www.pinnacletechnologyusa.com/ - $ 84 for 08K8197 as of 08/26/04
nextag.com - no listing as of 08/26/04
pricegrabber.com - As of 08/26/04, 12 very positive reviews
shopping.com - As of 08/26/04, no reviews
It is recommended at this forum

http://www.tigerdirect.com - $ 99 for 08K8197 as of 08/26/04
nextag.com - no listing as of 08/26/04
pricegrabber.com - great customer reviews
shopping.com - AS of 08/26/04, 10489 reviews and an outstanding status

Mixed reviews:
Eagle Computer Systems aka http://www.saveateagle.com
http://www.laptopsforless.com
CTIstore.com

Matt_ · #20 Post by **Matt_** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 6:23 pm

I'll have to spend some time thinking about it, but I haven't been able to make up my mind about getting an extra 9cell battery or not. I don't have anything for the time being where I'll need to be using it outside the house, but inside the house I'd like to not be tied down to an a/c adapter all the time. At the estimated times of ~3 hours time for the 6cell that I'm seeing reported on this forum, that isn't all that long.
If anyone knew the answer to my question from the previous page about being able, at the time of purchase, to have the laptop come with the 9cell instead of the 6cell, that would be appreciated.

Out of curiousity, for you people who've been laptop users for many years, how often do big improvements in battery technology and life come around ? If you had to make a guess-timate, is there a good chance that a year or two from now we could be using a new IBM battery with our T42's that gives us much longer battery time ?

Matt_ · #21 Post by **Matt_** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 9:17 pm

One more follow-up question for those of you who use/alternate between a 9cell and a 6cell.
In order to do so, I assume that you have that 2nd battery fully charged for when that 1st battery runs low.
I read the link that people on this board have referred to for recommended battery care: http://www.batteryuniversity.com/print-partone-19.htm
They mention that extreme lengths of time for storage of fully-charged batteries are bad. But what's the threshold point for when you've stored a fully charged battery long enough that it ought to be ( discharged to 40% and then ) stored in a cool place ?
For example, regarding regularly alternating between using the 9cell and 6cell: if you go a few days before using the second fully-charged battery, I assume that's ok for the battery. But what is the length of time at which you ought to ( discharge it to 40% and then ) store it in order not to adversely affect its lifespan and charge capacity ?

Leon · #22 Post by **Leon** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:25 pm

battery technology changes very slowly, 2 years from now will likely be little difference...... I wouldn't worry about storage "rules" unless you didn't use it for a month or more.....

Matt_ · #23 Post by **Matt_** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 5:54 pm

Thank you for your help, Leon.

One other question about the 6cell and 9cell batteries.
When a person is running his laptop on battery power and the one battery is just about out of power, what is the right way to swap that one out with the second battery ?
Hot swap it ?
Shut down the laptop or else put it into hibernate/standby mode and then swap the batteries ?

Kermy · #24 Post by **Kermy** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 6:54 pm

Hibernate or shut off then swap it. You can't do standby since it still requires power.

Leon · #25 Post by **Leon** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 9:34 pm

but, if it's plugged in, and your carefull not to knock out the plug, a hot swap is fine....

Raindrop · #26 Post by **Raindrop** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 1:26 pm

Recently purchased the 6 Cell for travel use when I am want the laptop along but don't anticipate using the laptop the entire day. Just curious how many people have purchased the IBM dual battery charger that allows you to charge a battery out of their machine ?? Right now I am considering just charging the battery up fully in then swapping out the batteries. Not sure how often that I would use up both batteries while on a trip and need them both recharged.

Plinkerton · #27 Post by **Plinkerton** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 2:54 pm

Just to help people who can't find a good slim case for their TPad with the 9cell. I heard the www.booqbags.com Powersleeve14 will fit the 14.1 inch TPads with the 9 cell attached like it was made for it. Described to me a "perfect fit". It's also supposed to be an awesome case anyway.

Have fun.
-Plink-

keithsketchley · #28 Post by **keithsketchley** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:18 am

Does anyone know the difference between the 22P9040-01 and -02 versions of dual charger?

keithsketchley · #29 Post by **keithsketchley** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:50 pm

I did find a UG at http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-50062. It shows:
- manual is dated 2003
- lists some _series_ it is useable with (A, R, TransNote, T and x series, the R listing infers it may be for Li-ion batteries only),
- is a flat peanut-profile unit with two output cables for batteries
- uses unspecified Thinkpad AC supply for its input power
- connector is small with two projections but not enough detail to see what they are – apparently go into a recess in the edge of the battery with a leaf spring over one side. .
- charges one battery at a time in the order they were connected.

Typical IBM/Lenovo manual for accessories – deficient in specifics, doesn’t even have the safety cautions you’d expect with a battery charger. Saying “x series” is not adequate as there were several over the years, it doesn’t even identify the charger p/n it is for (there are two versions of the “Thinkpad Multiple Battery Charger II – the download page says it is for marketing p/n 22P9040 so I guess it is probably for the -01 version not the -02 version.).
iTXchange has many of both p/ns for under $10. each.

keithsketchley · #30 Post by **keithsketchley** » Fri Dec 24, 2010 9:42 am

Well, the new non-IBM battery failed, after only a few months of use, but I recovered it.

With batteries, I have a bit of experience that may point to two things to do when the computer will not start even in a dock or the battery will not charge.
- let the battery sit for a few weeks
- put it in a spare computer, which may serve to recover it
I know, sounds weird, but worth trying too keep you going in non-critical use (not depending on them, not in a fire-critical situation).

I have an IBM-labelled 8-cell that failed, will not operate off AC power, only charges to 79% per Power Manager but PM does not show details (data fields blank). That seems to be the type of failure discussed in Lenovo’s forum, one suggestion is to remove PM from the computer, I may try that but suspect it is a hard failure. Otherwise I may disassemble it for general knowledge.

All the foregoing keeps me limping along, plus I have wedge batteries, but the batteries cannot be depended on.

I have found a few sources claiming they have original IBM batteries, for much more than the substitute ones that are more common these days, but perhaps worth the price especially if they provide a one year warranty, unlike “Thinkpad Parts” web site which only provides 30 days. (Though one of the batteries that failed on me was labelled as original IBM.)

I still have problems with charging when on vehicle power, it seems the power supply cannot keep up with computer demand so charge slowly declines. (Of course vehicle power is variable, nominally about 14 volts while the engine is running, but 12.7 or less when not (a “12 volt” automobile battery charges to about 12.7 volts but of course declines well below that as the battery is depleted). Normally I use an aux battery. However I’ve tested that the IBM and Targus DC adapters I have regulate their output fairly well, but I have not tested how much current they are putting out when the computer battery is declining.)

IBM have increased their power brick capacity for some later Thinkpads.

BTW, beware that the “battery gage reset” function in Power Manager|Battery Maintenance runs the battery through a charge-discharge-recharge cycle. That may be good but will take hours.

Should I get a 6-cell or 9-cell when I buy a new battery?

Should I get a 6-cell or 9-cell when I buy a new battery?

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