Apple’s 8 hour battery: breakthrough or bungle?

Iria · Jan 15, 2009, 04:22 AM

The new 17″ MacBook Pro has a non-removable, 8 hour battery that Apple claims can recharge 3x more times than standard batteries and has a 5 year life. Are they nuts?
__________
Source: Storage Bits

WaltC · Jan 15, 2009, 11:52 AM

Did I understand the author to imply that once the battery goes, so does the notebook (at least the battery part of it)? Also, I'd be interested in the warranty period for this battery and how closely it corresponds to these claims. Too, I did notice the author's distinct reluctance to state whether Apple is using the kind of advanced battery circuitry he takes so much trouble to illustrate by way of inference in talking up the patent of a business unrelated to Apple for products unrelated to any of Apple's products...

Last, although he uses the word "bungle" in his title, his article doesn't mention what he thinks the bungle, if any, might be--perhaps that it won't work exactly as Apple is describing it? Who knows?...

Zardon · Jan 15, 2009, 06:08 PM

what he is basically meaning I think, is that Apple have moved the 17 inch high end machine to a unibody design, meaning the concept is similar in execution to the Macbook Air. You can't really remove the battery unless you disassemble the under chassis to remove it.

If you check out the apple keynote (which is actually a pretty good watch as far as keynotes go) Apple - QuickTime - Macworld 2009 Keynote there is a section on the new 17 inch macbook and the technology. This includes some good info on the battery technology. If you don't want to watch the whole thing, skip to around 1hr 08 mins in.

The older model (last years), lasted around 4-5 hours. the new one is 8 hours. total life is meant to be around 5 years for the new 8 hour battery (3 times current mass market life for heavy use in a standard battery).

personally im not so sure this is progress, I would rather have access to the battery, especially on a top end 17 inch flagship model. You could carry 3 or 4 batteries for instance (they are around 50 quid each online) and if one fails its easy to remove. I think the unibody system is a better concept for the Macbook Air as its a slim, massively portable little unit.

I am a big believer in Apple as a company but I am not sure this particular move is a wonderful step forward. If we had easy access to the 8 hour battery then certainly..........

Jan 15, 2009, 04:22 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Apple’s 8 hour battery: breakthrough or bungle? The new 17″ MacBook Pro has a non-removable, 8 hour battery that Apple claims can recharge 3x more times than standard batteries and has a 5 year life. Are they nuts? __________ Source: Storage Bits

Jan 15, 2009, 11:52 AM	#2
WaltC DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: Deep in Martian soil where it's warm and the air is good Posts: 245 Rep Power: 0	Re: Apple’s 8 hour battery: breakthrough or bungle? Did I understand the author to imply that once the battery goes, so does the notebook (at least the battery part of it)? Also, I'd be interested in the warranty period for this battery and how closely it corresponds to these claims. Too, I did notice the author's distinct reluctance to state whether Apple is using the kind of advanced battery circuitry he takes so much trouble to illustrate by way of inference in talking up the patent of a business unrelated to Apple for products unrelated to any of Apple's products... Last, although he uses the word "bungle" in his title, his article doesn't mention what he thinks the bungle, if any, might be--perhaps that it won't work exactly as Apple is describing it? Who knows?...

Jan 15, 2009, 06:08 PM	#3
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Re: Apple’s 8 hour battery: breakthrough or bungle? what he is basically meaning I think, is that Apple have moved the 17 inch high end machine to a unibody design, meaning the concept is similar in execution to the Macbook Air. You can't really remove the battery unless you disassemble the under chassis to remove it. If you check out the apple keynote (which is actually a pretty good watch as far as keynotes go) Apple - QuickTime - Macworld 2009 Keynote there is a section on the new 17 inch macbook and the technology. This includes some good info on the battery technology. If you don't want to watch the whole thing, skip to around 1hr 08 mins in. The older model (last years), lasted around 4-5 hours. the new one is 8 hours. total life is meant to be around 5 years for the new 8 hour battery (3 times current mass market life for heavy use in a standard battery). personally im not so sure this is progress, I would rather have access to the battery, especially on a top end 17 inch flagship model. You could carry 3 or 4 batteries for instance (they are around 50 quid each online) and if one fails its easy to remove. I think the unibody system is a better concept for the Macbook Air as its a slim, massively portable little unit. I am a big believer in Apple as a company but I am not sure this particular move is a wonderful step forward. If we had easy access to the 8 hour battery then certainly.......... Last edited by Zardon; Jan 15, 2009 at 06:16 PM.