A note about t480/t580/p52s etc replacable batteries, compatiblity and lenovo games.

Looking on lenovos site while shopping for a new thinkpad I noticed a couple things... no battery choices in the configurator include the model numbers... and no batteries sold separately include these models in their compatibility list.

So since I have multiple batteries for my T560 I asked Lenovo if my T560 batteries would be compatible with the new p52s/T580 and they told me, yep, same battery, no problems. Well, they lied... actually I'm learning that any question like that they will usually answer 'yes' thinking 'no' may deter a sale. Ive had this happen a few times with Lenovo, making purchase decisions based on information not available on their website and the wrong information provided by their sales staff.

The 'new' batteries for this model are the 61 (24wh) and 61++ (74wh). Apparently the 61+ (48wh) is only available in the configurator when building a machine.

Of course like all things Lenovo... when you point out the lack of information on the website... and show them your saved chat log of them telling you the wrong then (yea I save those now) they apologize but are unable to do anything. So I have 6 74wh t560 batteries I thought I would be able to use and didn't buy a 74wh at the time of purchase when its cheaper as I didn't figure I would need it.

 

Wow. That really sucks -- file a CC dispute? Do you know if the T470 and 480 take the same batteries?

 

Yea apparently the t470, t570, p51s were the start of the new battery use. Its annoying as the battery is the same dang size... they just moved the connector 1/4" so past batteries are incompatible.

I didn't buy my p52s directly from Lenovo... so not really any recourse... except that I'm learning... don't trust anything Lenovo sales support tells you. I'm thinking about talking to t heir business department but pretty much its just a live and learn situation unless I wanted to return the p52s and go a different direction.

Which I really don't as I'm quite happy with the p52s. It out performs the i7-7700hq I had before... runs cool in general use, stays silent most of the time and the fans are quiet under a load. I have my desk setup with two external monitors, mouse and keyboard and charging all going through a single TB3 cable so its easy to pick up and go with it. I'm using a little $50 multiport adapter off amazon that I plug my charger into to keep the notebook powered / charged. Works really well.

Now I'm just waiting for an infrequent sale on the 61++ batteries so I can get some more battery time.