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Except, as already noted, batteries in current Macbooks are not one rectangular slab like that. Take a look at the inside of the current Macbook Pro: https://i

Except, as already noted, batteries in current Macbooks are not one rectangular slab like that. Take a look at the inside of the current Macbook Pro: https://i.imgur.com/pTZjbuZ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/pTZjbuZ.jpg That's a "battery" that's actually six separate batteries, fit around and underneath the structural components of the touchpad. Make it a single piece that can be neatly removed like your would-be concept image and you cut battery life in half. Customers would revolt, and far more noticeably than over mere keyboard problems.

userbinator 7y ago
Besides that one pesky ribbon cable that could probably be rerouted under the battery pack easily, I see nothing else that prevents a removable battery containing multiple cells, which need not be rectangular overall.
AdamJacobMuller 7y ago
In addition to the shape, which itself would need to be compromised by a removable battery, there is the issue of the casing. Any battery requires a certain amount of puncture resistance. When a battery is embedded into a device and irremovable, the casing of the device itself counts as part of that puncture resistance. If the battery is removable, the battery module itself must be puncture resistant and you're wasting significant internal volume with hard casing around the removable battery module which does not need to exist.
- AlexDragusin 7y ago
  Just a matter of engineering which we are well capable of solving, as long as batteries are clearly labeled as consumable items [1] they should be user replaceable which given the limitations of current battery technology, would also reduce the friction, inconveniences and dangers presented in this particular case. Personally, I am not against thin devices and non removable batteries, it should be done in tandem as the technology will be aligned with this approach without compromising the user experience and ability to replace consumable components. [1] https://www.apple.com/support/macbookair/en/battery_body.html https://www.apple.com/support/macbookair/en/battery_body.htm...
- userbinator 7y ago
  Look at smartphone batteries --- even when they were easily replaceable, they weren't very puncture-resistant, being nothing more than a bare pouch cell with a wrapper label.
philwelch 7y ago
More than one way to skin a cat though. Make the lid, keyboard, and electronics removable and treat the battery as part of the case?
tomxor 7y ago
> Make it a single piece that can be neatly removed like your would-be concept image and you cut battery life in half. Customers would revolt, and far more noticeably than over mere keyboard problems. According to other comments further up the thread this is incorrect, as the XPS has proven it can be both a single battery, with more capacity, and be thinner, even faster.

userbinator 7y ago

Besides that one pesky ribbon cable that could probably be rerouted under the battery pack easily, I see nothing else that prevents a removable battery containing multiple cells, which need not be rectangular overall.

AdamJacobMuller 7y ago

In addition to the shape, which itself would need to be compromised by a removable battery, there is the issue of the casing. Any battery requires a certain amount of puncture resistance. When a battery is embedded into a device and irremovable, the casing of the device itself counts as part of that puncture resistance. If the battery is removable, the battery module itself must be puncture resistant and you're wasting significant internal volume with hard casing around the removable battery module which does not need to exist.

AlexDragusin 7y ago
Just a matter of engineering which we are well capable of solving, as long as batteries are clearly labeled as consumable items [1] they should be user replaceable which given the limitations of current battery technology, would also reduce the friction, inconveniences and dangers presented in this particular case. Personally, I am not against thin devices and non removable batteries, it should be done in tandem as the technology will be aligned with this approach without compromising the user experience and ability to replace consumable components. [1] https://www.apple.com/support/macbookair/en/battery_body.html https://www.apple.com/support/macbookair/en/battery_body.htm...
userbinator 7y ago
Look at smartphone batteries --- even when they were easily replaceable, they weren't very puncture-resistant, being nothing more than a bare pouch cell with a wrapper label.

philwelch 7y ago

More than one way to skin a cat though. Make the lid, keyboard, and electronics removable and treat the battery as part of the case?

tomxor 7y ago

> Make it a single piece that can be neatly removed like your would-be concept image and you cut battery life in half. Customers would revolt, and far more noticeably than over mere keyboard problems. According to other comments further up the thread this is incorrect, as the XPS has proven it can be both a single battery, with more capacity, and be thinner, even faster.