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In what sense is it "not easy these days"? The Panasonic "Let's Note" series (Japan only) has had models with two batteries -- one internal, and one removable

by nfoz 5y ago

In what sense is it "not easy these days"? The Panasonic "Let's Note" series (Japan only) has had models with two batteries -- one internal, and one removable (hot-swappable) that you could charge with USB while the laptop keeps running on the main battery. I'm not sure why our imagination for laptops is so limited.

jolux 5y ago
Lenovo did that for a while. I believe they called it Power Bridge.
dntrkv 5y ago
Have you seen the internals of a Macbook? There is no single battery, it's a few batteries (wired in series I believe)[0] Making the battery removable would compromise on other parts of the design. Personally, a replaceable battery is very low on my list of wants. [0] https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Retina-Mid-2018-2019-Battery/IF117-115 https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Retina-...
- nightowl_games 5y ago
  Having irreplaceable batteries makes your device have a very short lifespan. This is horrible for the environment. I'm typing this on a pixel 1 that I've replaced the battery in, and have used for 4+ years. Laptops should have replaceable batteries. Period. If you get a new laptop every 2 years and don't know what it's like to have a perfectly good MacBook with 30minutes of battery life, then maybe you can just imagine being in that position and consider how globally impactful this anti consumer practice is.
  - Toutouxc 5y ago
    > perfectly good MacBook with 30minutes of battery life What the heck, all MacBook batteries are replaceable! Apple will do it for you in the first 6 years or so, and after that there are still 3rd party shops who will happily replace it.
ansible 5y ago
I mean that many laptops (especially thin ones) have batteries glued in. For modern form factors, an easily removable battery is a no-go, I get that. But there are things designers can do to make replacing the battery easier or harder. Making the housing very difficult to take apart, using lots of glue, etc. should be avoided. If at least a technician (like people who repair phones) can easily replace a battery in a few minutes, this will extend the lifespan of laptops.

by nfoz 5y ago

jolux 5y ago

Lenovo did that for a while. I believe they called it Power Bridge.

dntrkv 5y ago

Have you seen the internals of a Macbook? There is no single battery, it's a few batteries (wired in series I believe)[0] Making the battery removable would compromise on other parts of the design. Personally, a replaceable battery is very low on my list of wants. [0] https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Retina-Mid-2018-2019-Battery/IF117-115 https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Retina-...

nightowl_games 5y ago
Having irreplaceable batteries makes your device have a very short lifespan. This is horrible for the environment. I'm typing this on a pixel 1 that I've replaced the battery in, and have used for 4+ years. Laptops should have replaceable batteries. Period. If you get a new laptop every 2 years and don't know what it's like to have a perfectly good MacBook with 30minutes of battery life, then maybe you can just imagine being in that position and consider how globally impactful this anti consumer practice is.
- Toutouxc 5y ago
  > perfectly good MacBook with 30minutes of battery life What the heck, all MacBook batteries are replaceable! Apple will do it for you in the first 6 years or so, and after that there are still 3rd party shops who will happily replace it.

ansible 5y ago

I mean that many laptops (especially thin ones) have batteries glued in. For modern form factors, an easily removable battery is a no-go, I get that. But there are things designers can do to make replacing the battery easier or harder. Making the housing very difficult to take apart, using lots of glue, etc. should be avoided. If at least a technician (like people who repair phones) can easily replace a battery in a few minutes, this will extend the lifespan of laptops.