Buying a T60, need help w/power options

I am getting ready to buy a T60, fully loaded with a T7200, 2 GB 667 RAM, 100 GB 7200 RPM HDD, X1400, etc etc.

The question that I would like to ask is - which of the power options is best? I have been getting confused looking at the Ultrabay battery in terms of model #s. The PDF on Lenovo's site gives a model # different than what I see on Lenovo's Accessories page. The PDF gives a model # for a Z60 Ultrabay battery while the one on Lenovo's accessories page gives one for the T40. Can anyone link me the model to the right one for the Ultrabay modular battery?

I am trying to figure out what I want to do in terms of power options. Granted my laptop probably will be on for about 4 hours per day, and while the standard battery may cover that, I do want to have some extra headroom. I have figured out that I probably should just go with the 9 cell because its only $30 more, whereas the Ultrabay batteries are anywhere from $75-120 online.

Below is from the Lenovo PDF

Li-Ion battery life13
Up to 6.0hr (standard 6-cell, integrated graphics models)
Up to 9.0hr (optional 9-cell, integrated graphics models)
Up to 4.4hr (standard 6-cell, discrete graphics models)
Up to 6.7hr (optional 9-cell, discrete graphics models)

With optional extended-life battery
Up to 8.5hr (standard 6-cell plus optional bay battery,
integrated graphics models)
Up to 11.5hr (optional 9-cell plus optional bay battery,
integrated graphics models)
Up to 6.4hr (standard 6-cell plus optional bay battery,
discrete graphics models)
Up to 8.7hr (optional 9-cell plus optional

Judging from the above info, I can pay $30 more for 6.7 hrs, or pay $75-120 more for 6.4 hours. Another question that I want to ask Lenovo T60 owners with 9 cell batteries out there -> Does the laptop fit with the 9 cell in your laptop bags without any problem? I mean I know I can just remove the battery whenever I put it in the bag... but it'd be nice if I can just put the laptop with the battery still attached to it in the bag without having to worry about damage. Judging from the T60 NBR review it doesn't seem to extend that far away from the back. Does it also raise the back of the laptop? =[

 

I think the Ultrabay has an optional 4 cell battery that can be attached, so that's standard battery + the ultrabay battery. I don't really see the point in getting an Ultrabay for the T series because it comes with DVD drive already, unlike the X series.

I would definitely get the 9 cell for $30 more. It protudes out the back of the laptop by about 2 inches. It's not that noticable. It depends on what laptop bag you have. I know that WaterField bags do custom sizes for best fit.

 

I had only considered the Ultrabay as it would eliminate the possibility of having a problem for the laptop to fit in the bag as i would have that possibility with the 9 cell since it sticks out. I heard from a post that it does a weird buzzing thing, so I decided to just get it with the 9 cell. it's the most cost effective method, and the easy solution is that if the bag that i currently have will not fit the laptop with the 9 cell in it, I can just take out teh battery and hook it back up once it ake the laptop out or just buy a bigger / custom bag.

I will report back in a new thread once my T60 gets here... supposedly it will ship out on 3/2. Judging from the long threads about lack of delivering on time, should I be expecting it even later?

 

The Ultrabay battery is three cells. I get about four and a half hours on my R60 with the six cell and modular bay battery with the screen on four and WiFi on. If you are getting the 15" it will be less. The nine cell sticks out about half an inch. I had it on my T42.

 

I guess it's too late now, but I would have told you to get the 6-cell battery instead. The 9-cell sticks out the back and totally defeats the purpose of having a compact laptop. If anything, I'd bite the bullet and get another 6-cell to carry with me before I would ever consider using the 9-cell.

 

I hardly noticed it on mine.

 

The 9 cell came standard on my T41p and I think it's great. My 9-cell died after about 2 years and I got another 9 cell.

If I was buying again right now, the website ordering process offers a power bundle with an extra charger and 9 cell battery so I'd probably get the standard 6-cell with the laptop for times when I didn't need the extra run time, and the power bundle with the extra charger and the 9-cell for long airline flights and other times when longer run time would be an issue more than the extra half inch and half pound of weight.

I would not consider the ultrabay battery because I always want the option of having either my dvd drive or second hard drive in there, but if you never use the cd drive or need a second hard drive when you run off the battery, then there isn't any reason to not get one of those too. A 9-cell and an ultrabay battery ought to keep you running 6-9 hours or more without having to shut down to swap batteries. Getting a standard 6 and an extra 9 cell battery, or even 2 9-cell batteries, would require you to at least go to suspend mode to swap batteries.

Plus if you are like me and leave the battery installed all the time in case the power goes out, you'll wear out the battery sooner than usual. So it would be better to keep the 9-cell on the shelf so it won't wear out, and keep the cheaper 6-cell in the computer so when it wears out, you have worn out a $99 battery instead of a dead $150 (or whatever) battery.

 

I'm not sure if the ultrabay issue has been resolved, you may want to look into the complaints many are having that it looses capacity quite quickly. I'd go for the 9 cell if it is only a 30 dollar upgrade, it is not very noticeable and battery runtime is everything on a mobile computer.

 

Well I've ordered mine already with the 9 cell. I received an update from lenovo:

We have received an update from our Supply focal regarding your Lenovo order XXXXXX, they have advised the building
of your system will start February 21, 2007 due to LCD issues and your system will ship February 24, 2007.

That's pretty much it

 

Anyone know what the Ultra Bay battery weighs? I don't see any weight specs on sites selling it.

 

I doubt it's more than the 6-cell pack...