Battery Overkill ?

Lenovo's tabook states that a T61 14.1" SXGA+ (integrated graphics) with 6 cell battery provides up to 5 hrs & 45 mins (and is flush), whereas a 9 cell provides up to 8 hrs & 40 mins (and is not flush).

Now, the 6 cell charge time seems fine (for my purposes), so I'm wondering, for someone who is not overly mobile, would a 9 cell battery constitute overkill, or might it still be a good idea?

Your thoughts welcomed!

 

I ordered my 14" T61p with the 9cell only because just in case i am using it and require that extra battery life. You never know, I just wanted to take out all the variables and go with the highest possible battery.

It will stick out the back but it isnt that drastic so do not worry if you do want the 9 cell, its a livable sacrifice

 

In my opinion, having a battery jut out a little bit doesn't really matter too much (I'm typing this on a T61 w/ a 9 cell battery right now, and I can say for a fact that it really isn't an issue.). As for battery life, I can't testify that mine is the same as the figures you provided (Mine's a 15.4 inch and it can usually squeeze 5 hours out of a fully charged 9 cell).

If you're not overly mobile and plan to have it plugged in for most of the time, then chances are that the 6 cell would work fine. I would also caution you that those times may not be entirely practical (ie. You won't get the battery life you mentioned if you have the brightness all the way up.)

 

You'll probably never see numbers that good in real life, unless your machine is don't absolutely nothing. Take it with a grain of salt.

 

Really, the flushness doesn't matter since you don't see it when you're using it.

Now, the HP on the other hand, their bigger battery stick out the BOTTOM, which is stupid.

 

I have the 6 cell, 9, and ultrabay.

I actually end up using the 6 cell the most because I run between offices, and it is more than adequate to handle the 45min commute, plus is lighter and sleeker, for trips I plug in the ultrabay with the 6 cell, and use the 9 only as a spare.

I think if you are not away from an outlet the 6 is nice to keep the machine square and lighter.

 

Also, to give you an idea of what conditions you'll have to use your laptop, these are the system settings for the Thinkpad Power Manager under Maximum Battery Life (which I guarantee they're using for those numbers)

Maximum CPU Speed: Lowest
CPU Deeper Speed: Enabled
Optimize fan control to: Balance all Parameters
Display Brightness: Level 1 of 15

Idle Timers
Lower Display Brightness: Level 1 after 15 minutes
Lower Display Refresh Rate: 50 Hz after 3 Minutes
Turn Off Display: After 5 minutes
Stop Hard Disk Rotation: After 30 seconds
Enter System Standby: After 15 Minutes (This turns to 5 min under Energy Star setting)
Enter System Hibernation: After 20 Minutes

 

Thanks, all, for your thoughtful replies.

Whereas initially I was leaning towards the 6 cell (yes amuraivel, I too quite like the sleek, more square look), seems now the 9 cell might be a better idea, especially since, as I've now learned, those charge times can be taken with a grain of salt.

The 14.1" SXGA+ being not exactly the brightest display on the block would require (I'm guessing ) the brightness setting on max a lot of the time, so a 9 cell would definitely be advantageous.

It's good to know too that Lenovo's 9 cell does not protrude in the manner of an hp.

Thanks again.

 

you will probably get a good 5 hours of use with a 9 cell...those numbers lenovo provide are BS

 

For the price I would go with the 9cell. You never know when you will need to use it with no AC for a extended period of time. Better safe than sorry