X60 Extended Life Battery?

[RUSH2112]

Does anyone have the extended life (plate) battery? If so, what kind of real-wold life does it add? How much thicker does it make the computer (any pics?)

http://tinyurl.com/2rdvfo

[Ken Fox]

Does anyone have the extended life (plate) battery? If so, what kind of real-wold life does it add? How much thicker does it make the computer (any pics?)

http://tinyurl.com/2rdvfo

I don't have exactly this battery with my X60, but I have the very similar version that goes with the X32. According to Lenovo specs this is a 4 cell battery which is the same amount of power as the standard 4 cell battery for the X60. But the X60 can also use the 8 cell battery that sticks out the rear end. I'd think that the battery life of the small standard battery and the extended flat battery would be more or less equivalent to using an 8 cell, and if you used the 8 cell plus the flat battery (I assume they can be used together) then you have the equivalent of 12 cells.

I believe that this flat battery in the X60 functions like the similar one does in the X32, where it elevates up the rear end of the notebook and provides what some find to be a better typing angle. Of course, with added power comes added weight and bulk. Only you can decide if that is worth it.

When I travel in Europe I always bring the flat battery with my X32 because it doesn't take much extra space when it is installed and I don't mind carrying the machine with the normal and flat battery on within a neoprene sleeve in a backpack. If I want to travel light, however, I don't carry the flat battery along. It's just another power option and whether it is worth having one in your collection depends on your disposable cash and how you will use it.

[rkuo]

The extended life battery significantly increases the bulk of the notebook and compared to the high capacity battery, it doesn't really get a very good ratio of power to weight (1.02lbs / 8 cell vs .82 lbs / 4 cell).

It really depends on your needs...I have one but haven't found myself needing it that much. I only take it on flights and potential all day trainings. I'm wondering if simply having an extra 8 cell battery would be better.

[pianowizard]

I'm wondering if simply having an extra 8 cell battery would be better.

RUSH already has an 8-cell battery and probably wants to use that and the extended life batteries simultaneously. Do they give a total of 16 hours??

[Ken Fox]

I'm wondering if simply having an extra 8 cell battery would be better.

RUSH already has an 8-cell battery and probably wants to use that and the extended life batteries simultaneously. Do they give a total of 16 hours??

I would doubt it; this add on battery is only 4 cells, not 8. I don't think 4 cells in this notebook can possibly give anymore than about 4 hours, so that would be added to whatever the 8 cell gives now.

[apbudha]

Ken - I was waiting for someone with an x60(s) to speak up, but I doubt you can combine the 4 cell and 8 cell together, since they both fit directly into the battery location within bottom of the laptop. so i think it is different than the x32 (or x31 for that matter), where you have the standard battery and the 'flat' battery that locks into the docking area with the tilt stand.

any x60 owners care to chime in? I would actually like to know for sure myself.

[apbudha]

I just checked to be sure and Ken was correct:

http://www5.pc.ibm.com/europe/products. ... gory=power

You can choose the 4 or 8 cell battery, and then add the 4 cell extended battery if you wish, so the optimal configuration would be the 8 cell + the 4 cell extended battery, as Ken was saying, giving about 10 hours.

i would love to see screenshots of this; someone already mentioned the 8 cell alone gave you a nice tilt similar to the angle given in the x31/32 config of 4 cell + 4 cell extended. might the extended battery in the x60 give you an even better angle? hmm.

I originally was getting ~ 4:20 and after three years it tops off around 2:53, even after conditioning. (Also, how could you tell if you should replace the base or extended battery?)

Cheers

[apbudha]

actually, make your own conclusions:

All-day computing up to 10.5 hours is possible when combined with the ThinkPad X60 Series 8 Cell High Capacity Battery (40Y7003) on select systems. Note that the Extended Life Battery cannot be used in or with the ThinkPad X6 UltraBase. The Extended Life Battery can also be used with the ThinkPad X60 Series 4 Cell Enhanced Capacity (40Y7001) and 4 Cell Slim Line (40Y6999) system batteries.

from:

http://www5.pc.ibm.com/europe/products. ... enDocument

[tomh009]

I originally was getting ~ 4:20 and after three years it tops off around 2:53, even after conditioning. (Also, how could you tell if you should replace the base or extended battery?)

Is this on an X31? That's pretty impresive -- my X31 is at about three hours (33.51 Wh) after two years and 738 cycles.

[apbudha]

is this on an X31? That's pretty impresive -- my X31 is at about three hours (33.51 Wh) after two years and 738 cycles.

Yes, with the extended battery. 08K8040 and 02K7043(ext. life bat.) Although now that I reflect, docked/port replication much more during first year, thus less cycles on ext. life bat, might explain it.

I just noticed the ext. life bat. is 6 cell. interesting. I have said before I appreciate it for the kickstand tilt feature, and always keep it attached.

pictured here:
http://www.pacificgeek.com/product.asp? ... C=231&S=-1


Curious, how have you recorded exact cycles ?

would love to replace with x60 touchscreen but warm palmrest talk concerns me.

[tomh009]

I have the extended battery as well, but I only use it for travel as it's a bit bulkier and heavier. At the office I dock into an ultrabase and use an external display panel and (ultranav!) keyboard.

So my battery life is with just the built-in 08K8048 (6-cell?) battery (I think essentially the same as the 08K8040 and 02K7043). Is yours including the external "slice" (for which you attached the link)?

You can see the cycles and remaining full capacity under Access IBM > ThinkPad Configuration > Power Management > Battery Information.

[pianowizard]

All-day computing up to 10.5 hours is possible when combined with the ThinkPad X60 Series 8 Cell High Capacity Battery (40Y7003) on select systems.

I was getting close to 10 hours on my X60s with the 8-cell battery alone. That was with the display dimmed all the way down, the wireless card turned off, and the only task I was doing was MS Word.

[apbudha]

So my battery life is with just the built-in 08K8048 (6-cell?) battery (I think essentially the same as the 08K8040 and 02K7043). Is yours including the external "slice" (for which you attached the link)?

then very nice time then off just the standard battery. my time was including both the standard and the 02K7043 extended battery.

You can see the cycles and remaining full capacity under Access IBM > ThinkPad Configuration > Power Management > Battery Information.

thanks for that. I didn't reinstall those tools after a rebuild but may add it now.

I was getting close to 10 hours on my X60s with the 8-cell battery alone. That was with the display dimmed all the way down, the wireless card turned off, and the only task I was doing was MS Word.

pianowizard - Very nice. I do the dimmed display but have to keep the wifi going. The wifi off switch would be nice to help enforce some discipline when writing papers. : }