6 comments

If this new battery technology is as awesome as presented in the video, why don’t the other new MacBooks also use it? Longer run time and 1,000 recharges. would more than meet my needs for the life of a laptop.

Will this be in the next revisions for the MacBook and MacBook Pro?

jim, on January 6th, 2009 at 1:23 pm

But what effect will the non-removable battery have on the resale of the machine? Laptops in the second-hand market typically have bad batteries that are replaceable, hence prolonging the use of them. Once the battery goes in the new 17-incher, if the machine dead? Will I have to send it in under AppleCare? If it’s out or warranty, will it be $200+ to fix?

Dann, on January 6th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

Dann makes some great points. I’d also like to know what constitutes 1,000 full recharges? If I use it for an hour, then plug it in, have I used one recharge, or a portion of one? Will partial recharges shorten the life of the battery? What’s the recharge time compared to Li batteries? Is the battery covered by Apple Care? While not removable, is it replaceable? Will the OS tell me the condition of the cells, and can they be replaced discretely? I don’t want to pay 200 bucks for 4 cells when a single one goes bad. And how difficult is it to access the battery? I’m an experienced professional, and I’ve always done minor repairs to equipment myself. I can replace the battery and drive in my iPod. Can I do it in a MacBook, or will it cost hundreds of dollars, like Apple wanted to replace the iPod drive?

It looks like great technology, but it also looks like they made it as difficult as possible for me to service it.

imajoebob, on January 7th, 2009 at 3:26 pm

I expect that we will see this new battery technology in MacBook / Pro updates. 8000 hours per battery is basically 40 hours per week for 4 years, which is around the time that a pro user is ready for a new computer anyway. One battery swap then puts the laptop back into the secondary market for 4 more years which is fantastic.

Apple has likely gambled correctly that 8 hours runtime on a 17″ screen with no practical downside for most users is highly desirable. The key will be strong execution in manufacturing and aggressive support response if any battery runs start to fail.

Between unibody, glass and smart battery technology, I think Apple has built a winner in terms of product stability over time. This may create lower-risk revenue opportunities for Apple and others in refurb and resale markets.

Sky, on January 7th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

So. Lame. Nobody’s buying it Apple.

Camperton, on January 7th, 2009 at 11:13 pm

I really hope the entire lineup does not go this route. I use my MBP as a primary computer. So, when I’m at home the battery is off and adaptor on. I only put on the battery if I need to use it without the adaptor.

The battery is in use from 100% to 95%. Then it charges back to 100%. I think this kills battery life so that’s why it’s always off at home. Plus, this helps the laptop from heating up too.

So, for folks like me. This is built in battery is no good.

Levi, on January 9th, 2009 at 5:58 am