How practical is an extended life battery really?

[bluesceada]

As I can't find any practical comments on this by google, I'm asking here:

Anyone has an extended life battery (which docks at the ultrabay dock, but is just a battery) and does think, it does not add too much weight/size to the notebook?

Is it okay to handle, or does it just make it stupidly big and/or heavy.. ?

[ssd_thinkpad]

First decide how much hours you need on the road. x60s series have far better battery life than x60 series. I'd take a normal 8 cell battery which can give you on x60s more than 8 hours.

[bluesceada]

First decide how much hours you need on the road. x60s series have far better battery life than x60 series. I'd take a normal 8 cell battery which can give you on x60s more than 8 hours.

You think a X60s would be better than a X61s in battery runtime? I already have a X61s here, but if the difference is much, I still have the right to give it back within 14 days...

Does it run more than 8 hours with with wifi + display on half brightness and a browser running? I decided to need 6-7 hours doing that (with suspend to ram times between).

----- edit:

Anyway to get back to my original question to an owner of an extended life battery (which connects like an ultrabase):

How portable is the X61 still when that battery is added?

[ssd_thinkpad]

You think a X60s would be better than a X61s in battery runtime? I already have a X61s here, but if the difference is much, I still have the right to give it back within 14 days...

Do not know but think they should run equal, the *s* models should all have better battery life. Just try your current 4 cell battery: with an 8 cell battery you should get the double amount of your current time.

[archer6]

You think a X60s would be better than a X61s in battery runtime? I already have a X61s here, but if the difference is much, I still have the right to give it back within 14 days...

Does it run more than 8 hours with wifi + display on half brightness and a browser running? I decided to need 6-7 hours doing that (with suspend to ram times between).


Anyway to get back to my original question to an owner of an extended life battery (which connects like an ultrabase):

How portable is the X61 still when that battery is added?

I have both ThinkPad models, as well as each available battery. I find the S model gets far greater battery life. Yet that said, the size & weight of the battery defeats the purpose of having such a light and portable machine. It also destroys the balance when carrying it as the battery makes it so bulky, heavy, and unwieldy. After it's all said and done I find myself choosing to use the small battery unless I absolutely must have the run time.
.
Cheers...
Posted via BlackBerry

[ssd_thinkpad]

archer6, these are exactly my thoughts about the x6 and x6s models. The big battery increases the weight significantly and does not even fit exactly inside my thinkpad. Whenever I move the thinkpad with its big battery, the big battery wiggles. However for me it is better to use the big battery alone instead of the small battery and an ac adapter.

These were also my reasons to go with the new x30x (works for around 10 hours and batteries stay inside and do not increase much weight) instead with the x20x series (big battery stays outside and increases much weight).

[archer6]

ssd_thinkpad, very well said. Battery choice involves so many variables as we all have such unique needs, that it really does come down to personal preference.

Cheers...
Posted via BlackBerry

[bluesceada]

I initially bought it with a big 8 cell battery which feels quite okay. But it just has around 5-6hrs runtime...

It's still much more portable and lightweight than a Z61e with 9cell battery and a T42 (even with a normal battery).

I was asking about the extended life battery that docks at the bottom, and how much it adds up to thickness etc. in practical terms.

(this one: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... de=40Y7005 )

btw: My 8 cell battery doesn't wiggle at all, it is no problem to grip the laptop at the battery. It even feels quite comfortable to hold it there...

//edit:
I just ordered the extended life battery, I could get it quite cheap here.. I will report back here about my experiences!

[Ken Fox]

I initially bought it with a big 8 cell battery which feels quite okay. But it just has around 5-6hrs runtime...

It's still much more portable and lightweight than a Z61e with 9cell battery and a T42 (even with a normal battery).

I was asking about the extended life battery that docks at the bottom, and how much it adds up to thickness etc. in practical terms.

(this one: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... de=40Y7005 )

btw: My 8 cell battery doesn't wiggle at all, it is no problem to grip the laptop at the battery. It even feels quite comfortable to hold it there...

//edit:
I just ordered the extended life battery, I could get it quite cheap here.. I will report back here about my experiences!

I have a new X61s that got from the Outlet; it came with the enormous 8 cell battery. I also ordered one of the slimline 4 cell batteries (that was a "scratch and dent" one from the outlet for less than $40), and an extended life also. The extended life battery (also scratch and dent, not as good a deal, around $80) was old and in unacceptable condition; I sent it back and then ordered a new one under a deal on an affinity site, and that extended battery arrived yesterday.

The extended battery has about the same charge capacity as the 4 cell slimline (~28 Wh) which is around 25% less than the regular small battery that can be used with either the X60/X60 or the X60s/X61s. The large X6x battery (which can also be used with the extended battery), according to power manager software, has about the same runtime as the combination of the slimline and the extended.

With only the slimline battery attached, the X61s has very nice tapered lines, with an appearance and weight not much more than a "netbook." With the extended battery the laptop has a much thicker back than its front. With the large 8 cell battery the depth of the laptop is much extended and the laptop no longer has any apparent advantages in form factor over the standard X60/X61 (non-S models).

In summary, If I'm going to use the X61s mostly with the charger, as I usually will, I'd much prefer the 4 cell slimline. If I was regularly going to use the laptop on battery power and for periods of time longer than an hour, I'd use the 8 cell. If I was traveling and would use the machine both on battery and AC, then I'd maybe bring along the extended along with the 4 cell slimline. For maximum amount of time away from an AC outlet, I'd use the 8 cell AND the extended battery, however the form factor of the laptop then changes completely and it becomes heavy and a bit unwieldy.

ken

[bluesceada]

Thanks for your report!

I did not buy the X61s because of Netbook size but because of it's said to have a bit more battery runtime than the normal X61. And I don't know it other than with the big 8 cell battery I have. So it is probably different thing for me.

Maybe I will then also get a 4cell extended and use this in combination with the extende life battery.. I will see.... I will report back, probably arrives at Tuesday or Wednesday.

[bluesceada]

Just got the battery...
-----------------------------
My opinion:

Compared to my Z61e, the X61s with the Extended Life Battery is just at one very small peak-point a little thicker than the Z61e, other than that, it's still more flat.
This means, it is still ok for me to use the Extended Life Battery in Addition to the 8-Cell Battery, when I need more battery power.
But it is still a bit too big (thickness of the whole laptop) to use it for everyday carry-around of the Laptop.

When I know I will be out all day it won't be a problem to stick the Extended Life Battery on.

When it would've been designed a bit different, being flatter and more distributed below the whole laptop, it would'nt be a problem to keep it always attached.

Anyway it's good like it is, and fits the purpose for the longer days. You really get like ~10hrs in total with this and a 8 cell battery.

Still the perfect laptop for me is not born, but this will serve me the next 2 years I guess..
(perfect= ~8-10hrs, 13" non-wide led screen, maybe 1280x960 or 1400x1050, trackpoint,~2ghz, 1-2kg weight)