Do I need a 2nd battery for my future laptop (T42)?

[eLiu]

Edit: Answered most of my questions when I found the IBM "TABOOK" on their FTP.

So the question at hand:

I plan on buying a IBM T42, most likely the 2379DXU. (1.7ghz, 512mb, 15" SXGA+ screen, 60gb 7200rpm, 9600, bg wireless, 6-cell battery, 3yr warranty)

To my understanding, it's better to run a Li-on battery down to like 20-30% before recharging (so as to not waste charge cycles). If that's the case, would it be better to have 2 batteries? So I can run one down to 20-30%, then swap it out and charge it in the night.

In addition to that, I'm concerned that the 4ish hour battery life of the 6-cell will be a little short--I'll be using this thing in college where I'll be out and about all day long in class/labs/library/etc. Would the 6-cell be enough? I mean, I can't upgrade to a 9-cell, so the only other option is to buy a 9-cell from Newegg--it's $99, even cheaper than a 2nd 6-cell from IBM.

Thanks!
-Eric

Edit: Is now a good time to buy? Will prices fall if I wait until late July or so? (I start school at the end of August.) I have a shareholder discount, but I heard IBM will have some "back to school" discounts that stack on top of the shareholder discount--will the savings be worth the wait?

 

[TBP]

If you play the power saving right, a battery can last you a whole day. Most time it runs at <500 mHz clock speed.

As far as the price, check your school and see if there is an education discount with IBM.

 

[eriqesque]

Originally posted by: eLiu
I can't upgrade to a 9-cell, so the only other option is to buy a 9-cell from Newegg--it's $99, even cheaper than a 2nd 6-cell from IBM.
Thanks!
-Eric

Who said you can't upgrade to the 9 cell battery?
If you call and place the order the sales rep can do better at adding things than you can on the web.

 

[eLiu]

Originally posted by: eriqesque

Originally posted by: eLiu
I can't upgrade to a 9-cell, so the only other option is to buy a 9-cell from Newegg--it's $99, even cheaper than a 2nd 6-cell from IBM.
Thanks!
-Eric

Who said you can't upgrade to the 9 cell battery?
If you call and place the order the sales rep can do better at adding things than you can on the web.

Really? On Thinkpads.com, there was someone that tried that twice and the sales reps told him know both times. But I'll give it a try when I buy. If I order by phone, I can still apply the stockholder discount right?

TBP, My school doesn't have a contract with IBM--theirs is with Dell (I can get a 2001FP for $809 with that deal...not bad). The model I was thinking of purchasing is $2,276.10 after the stockholder discount--10-15% (regularly 2,529.00). And with the battery, IBM reports 4.4 hrs with that model &amp; the 6-cell...seems kind of short esp b/c I'll have wireless enabled &amp; the screen not at 0 brightness.

Though, do you guys think I should buy now? Or sit tight and wait for the IBM summer sale deals?

-Eric

 

[EvanAdams]

Most schools have power plugs now.