Is a "user serviceable battery" important to you in a laptop?

[AMDZen]

When you're in an airport and your battery is close to dying, if you have another you can just power down, swap it out, and you're back up and running. I know plenty of consultants who do this. Ask these same people to open their case, pull the battery out that is glued in and replace it? Not gonna happen. You might think it's super easy because you're knowledgeable in the tech field but for end users it's a different story.

I understand that. Granted that is a benefit but not one that I have ever needed in the real world.

Airports have plugs that you can plug into if you didn't charge your device. They say the same thing about the iPhone and how its a hindrance, however I've never been in a situation like that, in the real world ever. And if I was I could pull out my charging cable and charge it at the airport, and just work with it plugged in if I had to.

Its definitely a compromise, but in regards to the MacBook Pro (not Dell) it might be worth it for some people who keep their devices charged when they know they are traveling by plugging it in the night before the trip

I don't have multiple batteries for anything and the only device I have ever wanted it for was my Nintendo DS, which also didn't have "a user serviceable battery" you had to take a few screws out to get to the battery if you actually had an extra one. That thing went through batteries too quickly

 

[pelov]

Did you read the "iFixit" article linked to that? They stripped the whole laptop apart with a screwdriver only. And the battery looks to be very easily replaced

It's glued. If you want to accuse me of not reading the article, you may want to read it yourself else you run the risk of looking pretty stupid.

Someone really did not want the battery in the MacBook Pro to come out of the upper case.
We tried valiantly with our iFixit 6 Inch Metal Ruler to free the battery from its aluminum confines, but to no avail. Rather than risk puncturing a lithium-polymer battery cell, we left the power source in place.
To complicate matters further, the TrackPad cable lies underneath the battery. Attempting to pry the battery off the upper case could easily sever the fragile cable, which would be bad.

Like right now, for instance.

 

[AMDZen]

The battery in my MacBook went less than a year after I bought it, so yes, definitely. It's a late 2008 unibody so the battery was insanely easy to swap out and replace.

Repairability makes gadgets last longer, keeping them out of landfills. It also keeps people who repair tech employed domestically. I won't buy any laptop that doesn't let me replace my own hard drive/SSD, battery, or memory at minimum.

Thats my point, as long as it can be replaced, with a few minutes and a screwdriver - I'm fine. Otherwise, it is a big deal

 

[AMDZen]

It's glued. If you want to accuse me of not reading the article, you may want to read it yourself else you run the risk of looking pretty stupid.



Like right now, for instance.

I suppose you are correct, I didn't realize the Retina display model was different. Looks like this is the first and only laptop with this issue though. If Dell is following that model, then I understand - however I doubt that's the case. Apple doesn't have a history of this, this is the only instance of such nonsense.

 

[pelov]

I suppose you are correct, I didn't realize the Retina display model was different. Looks like this is the first and only laptop with this issue though. If Dell is following that model, then I understand - however I doubt that's the case. Apple doesn't have a history of this, this is the only instance of such nonsense.

Their new iPod is supposedly also incredibly difficult to take apart and repair.

Apple has a rather long history of this

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57544218-37/ipad-4-hard-to-fix-and-wastes-space-says-ifixit/

Anyone attempting to repair Apple's 4th-gen iPad will face a rough job, according to the folks at iFixit.
Examining the innards of the iPad 4, the fixit site found that the unit is glued shut through adhesive. Taking apart the tablet required iFixit to apply heat to soften the adhesive and then pry it open with guitar picks, which fortunately didn't damage the device.
As with the iPad 3, the battery is adhered securely to the rear case, making it hard to reach and difficult to remove. But that's par for the course, as Apple specifically designs its mobile devices to prevent users from replacing the battery themselves.

Applecare

 

[AMDZen]

Their new iPod is supposedly also incredibly difficult to take apart and repair.

Apple has a rather long history of this

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57544218-37/ipad-4-hard-to-fix-and-wastes-space-says-ifixit/



Applecare

"as Apple specifically designs its mobile devices to prevent users from replacing the battery themselves."

Cnet is so full of shit. iPhones have all been very easy and even the 5 is a 5 minute job. And no, they have no history of this, show me a device prior to the brand new iPad and brand new MacBook that had this? I am not up to date apparently but even the article you linked shows the opposite of that.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/06/opinion-apple-retina-displa/

Apple isn’t fundamentally against upgradeability and accessibility. The current Mac Mini has compelling finger slots that practically beg people to open it. When Steve Jobs released the “open-minded” Power Mac G3 with a door that opened from the side, the audience oohed and aahed. Apple products have historically retained their value quite well, in part due to third-party repair manuals, but also due to a number of very modular, very upgradeable designs.

Even the MacBook Pro was originally touted as an accessible, repairable machine — at Macworld in 2009, Steve Jobs said, “Our pro customers want accessibility: [...] to add memory, to add cards, to add drives.” That’s part of what I love about my MacBook Pro. I’ve upgraded my RAM, and I even replaced my optical drive with an 80GB SSD.

And goes on to explain the reason for the recent change:

On the other hand, Apple has consistently introduced thinner, lighter products. They learn from experience. They react to their customers. They’re very adept at presenting us with what we want. And they give us options from time to time and allow product sales to determine their future designs.

We have consistently voted for hardware that’s thinner rather than upgradeable. But we have to draw a line in the sand somewhere. Our purchasing decisions are telling Apple that we’re happy to buy computers and watch them die on schedule. When we choose a short-lived laptop over a more robust model that’s a quarter of an inch thicker, what does that say about our values?

Today, we choose. If we choose the Retina display over the existing MacBook Pro, the next generation of Mac laptops will likely be less repairable still. When that happens, we won’t be able to blame Apple. We’ll have to blame ourselves.

 

[pelov]

And goes on to explain the reason for the recent change:

And that's why I'm not a customer

I'm not a sheep and I'm more than willing and perfectly able of tinkering with my products. That pretty much means I shouldn't buy anything Apple unless I'm willing to part with another $199 for Applecare.

Dell isn't going that route and I doubt the Latitude line is opting with Li-Poly batteries, as business users need more than 6-8hrs battery.

http://www.macnewsworld.com/story/71994.html

Do not drink the Kool-Aid, friend.

 

[AMDZen]

And that's why I'm not a customer

I'm not a sheep and I'm more than willing and perfectly able of tinkering with my products. That pretty much means I shouldn't buy anything Apple unless I'm willing to part with another $199 for Applecare.

Dell isn't going that route and I doubt the Latitude line is opting with Li-Poly batteries, as business users need more than 6-8hrs battery.

http://www.macnewsworld.com/story/71994.html

Do not drink the Kool-Aid, friend.

No, thats why you are a sheep. You think you have to stay away from everything Apple even though the issue didn't exist until the new MacBook Retina and iPad 4, even though the stigma has been around since the first iPhone at least. I know because that was the first iDevice I bought and I was shocked to find out how easy it was to replace the battery after all the chatter I heard from the galleries, people like you and people like cNet.

It was even easier to replace the one on my iPhone 4 and the Iphone 5 is about as difficult as the first iPhone, could perhaps take 10 minutes since there are 6-7 screws instead of 3-4 like on the iPhone 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDGTjCYzsYY

From my perspective, its you who are drinking the kool-aid

 

[dabuddha]

Maybe if you're a moron. You can change the battery in any Apple device very easily, took 5 minutes on my iPhone 4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEmlPK9R6Og

Yes any Joe Schmo can change the battery easily.

 

[pelov]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEmlPK9R6Og

Yes any Joe Schmo can change the battery easily.

All hail Prophet Jobs! Kill the blasphemer!

 

[AMDZen]

Man you guys are n00bs. LOL

If you've ever done it, it is sooooo easy

Any n00b can do it, and you don't need the special tools they often show. Don't need a suction cup, don't need that iFixit tool, just a credit card and a screwdriver and a little bit of common sense.

I'm done

 

[Pulsar]

Bah. Argument deleted. Not worth it. I guess I'll just stay a 'sheep' and a 'noob'. When did that stop being insulting? Around grade 3?

The idea of a battery that is non-removable is a deal breaker for me. I've had four laptops in my life, and had each one at least 4 years. I've had to replace the batteries on all of them multiple times. Of course that's just me. I'm certainly not smart enough to tell everyone else what they should think or to comment on how their conformity makes them sheep. That would be far to elitist, and I'm really not that worried about what other people choose to do.

 

[pelov]

Why are you acting like such a juvenile ass?

It would do that juvenile ass some good to read the date on the article I listed. In case he won't bother, it's 2011, meaning prior to the rMBP and iPad4.

Here's another interesting article he should read. It might even explain his behavior

 

[AMDZen]

Bah. Argument deleted. Not worth it. I guess I'll just stay a 'sheep'.

The idea of a battery that is non-removable is a deal breaker for me. I've had four laptops in my life, and had each one at least 4 years. I've had to replace the batteries on all of them multiple times. Of course that's just me. I'm certainly not smart enough to tell everyone else what they should think, on comment on how their conformity makes them sheep. That would be far to elitest, and I'm really not that worried about what other people choose to do.

You're right, why am I on my high horse. Some people probably can't change a light bulb either. Oh, yea I guess I'm over simplifying it. Changing a battery on an iPhone is the same as changing or adding RAM on a laptop. A couple screws and a bit of knowledge. Or just access to youtube to watch a quick 5-10 minute video that lays it all out for you.

Man. I am such a genius. I can even change fuses and shit in my car guys. I am fucking Steven Hawking.

 

[AMDZen]

It would do that juvenile ass some good to read the date on the article I listed. In case he won't bother, it's 2011, meaning prior to the rMBP and iPad4.

Here's another interesting article he should read. It might even explain his behavior

I don't own any apple devices except my iPhone, which pwns all

I'm a genius though cause I could change my iPhone 4 battery in 5 minutes, so I am clearly superior to all

 

[dabuddha]

Man you guys are n00bs. LOL

If you've ever done it, it is sooooo easy

Any n00b can do it, and you don't need the special tools they often show. Don't need a suction cup, don't need that iFixit tool, just a credit card and a screwdriver and a little bit of common sense.

I'm done

And you're either being obtuse on purpose or just ignorant. I'd say about 95% of the users of an apple device would not be able to change that battery.

 

[AMDZen]

And you're either being obtuse on purpose or just ignorant. I'd say about 95% of the users of an apple device would not be able to change that battery.

Your opinion. I'd say about 95% could or has a bf or husband that can. I guess I have a lot more faith in humanity then you do.

 

[dabuddha]

Your opinion. I'd say about 95% could or has a bf or husband that can. I guess I have a lot more faith in humanity then you do.

No I'm just not delusional

This sums it up

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Repairability makes gadgets last longer, keeping them out of landfills. It also keeps people who repair tech employed domestically. I won't buy any laptop that doesn't let me replace my own hard drive/SSD, battery, or memory at minimum.

THIS.

MOTHERF***ING THIS!

As far as I'm concerned, I should be able to customize my machine as much as I want. Taking those capabilities away is an Apple-like dick move, which should NOT become an industry-wide trend.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You're right, why am I on my high horse. Some people probably can't change a light bulb either. Oh, yea I guess I'm over simplifying it. Changing a battery on an iPhone is the same as changing or adding RAM on a laptop. A couple screws and a bit of knowledge. Or just access to youtube to watch a quick 5-10 minute video that lays it all out for you.

Man. I am such a genius. I can even change fuses and shit in my car guys. I am fucking Steven Hawking.

You're so FOS. My brand-new Asus X401 laptop, you have to take the keyboard off, and then you have to take the WHOLE MOTHERBOARD OUT, just to get at the DIMM slot.

HOW FUcKING HARD WOULD IT BE TO MAKE LITTLE BAY DOORS TO REPLACE the RAM, HD, and BATTERY?

 

[AMDZen]

You're so FOS. My brand-new Asus X401 laptop, you have to take the keyboard off, and then you have to take the WHOLE MOTHERBOARD OUT, just to get at the DIMM slot.

HOW FUcKING HARD WOULD IT BE TO MAKE LITTLE BAY DOORS TO REPLACE the RAM, HD, and BATTERY?

I DON'T KNOW MAYBE YOU SHOULD FUCKING WRITE A LETTER TO ASUS AND ASK THEM AND MAKE SURE IT'S FULL OF CAPS AND YOU YELL AT THEM AND TELL THEM TO GO FUCK THEMSELVES

Maybe you should have researched the laptop before you bought it if that's a thing for you. If its brand new, not sure why you need to upgrade the RAM so quickly any way.

I'm the wrong person to ask because taking the laptop apart would be fun, and probably take 30 minutes for me any way to put some new RAM in it even with all that. No biggie.

I am a genius after all who can put in an iPhone battery which 95% of people can't do apparently.

 

[pukemon]

http://www.tomshardware.com/picturestory/606-windows-8-inspiron-dell-duo.html

Dell: No more "user serviceable batteries" in laptops

None of the company's 2012 models have user-serviceable batteries, though, in deference to a desire for more anorexic figures across the board.



wtf? That's a deal breaker for me

None of the Inspiron or XPS models, but Latitudes do.

 

[Pulsar]

You're so FOS. My brand-new Asus X401 laptop, you have to take the keyboard off, and then you have to take the WHOLE MOTHERBOARD OUT, just to get at the DIMM slot.

HOW FUcKING HARD WOULD IT BE TO MAKE LITTLE BAY DOORS TO REPLACE the RAM, HD, and BATTERY?

No doubt. I can understand why the motherboard is hard to replace. This weekend I had to open up my HP to replace the speakers (one was blown) and the fan (stopped spinning whenever the laptop got below room temperature).

It took me two hours to get the thing apart, and even with online instructions there were still several "oh shit, if I pry any harder something is going to break" moments. The worst part was the keyboard itself: they actually had some press-fit copper inserts that held the keyboard on. No screws, and you really had to stress the keyboard to pry it out.

I got it done, but the idea of opening up a laptop to change the battery is ridiculous. I can't believe you had to pull the motherboard to change the ram. That's asinine on the manufacturer's side.

I didn't realize AMDZen is just a rampant troll. I wouldn't have answered him to begin with if I'd known it.

 

[jihe]

If we were still rocking 1999 battery tech, sure. But we aren't. We now have potent, high tech batteries combined with streamlined hardware that offer runtimes that were nothing but a fairy tale 10 years ago. Apples laptops for example will do close to 1000 cycles before dropping below 80%. That's still 3-5 hours of life. They have a normal lifespan of around 5 years with typical use which is likely beyond how long the average person keeps a laptop anyway.

Plus if you really need it replaced it's $130. Not exactly robbery.

Not really seeing the rage here.

Unfortunately battery tech hasn't improve much since 1999. There's nothing like a spare battery or two for those long flights across the pacific.

 

[jihe]

I just like the ability to change it myself. It can be "sealed", like in a MacBook Air, but as long as I know it's physically possible to change it, I am happy.

Apple has started to glue their battery on for the retina mbp's. I swear they are such assholes, will never buy an apple product....