Laptop manufacturers should start making laptops with removable baterries again.

[Amol S.]

Although it was true that a laptop manufacturer can only make more money, with making laptops that have embedded batteries, now it is possible to make the same profit by making them with removable batteries.

You may wonder how, but the truth is that before the battery dies, Microsoft with their Windows 10 updates are causing computers to have more and more problems. I assume everyone here knows what I am talking about. Many users complain on the Microsoft's support forums that they ended up having to buy a new laptop after a certain Windows Update caused their old laptop to no longer work.

Also with Windows, within a year a laptops performance will slow down, due to the large number of programs trying to get access to the shared system libraries. This is true with any system that is running on Windows, and I think that everyone has experienced this problem as well. The only known solution to this problem is to reinstall Windows, which would be a tiresome thing to do. Thus in the end, people decide to buy a new laptop.

Lastly but not least, the physical laptop it self that has a removable battery is in fact more fragile than one with an embedded one. The reason being that there is less support or should I say rigidness in the area of the battery compartment, which is most pf the time located bellow the hinge. If any fall was to ever happen, all of the shock force would end up going straight to the battery compartment, and with enough force, the hinge might break. In other words, time to buy a new laptop.

So it can be clearly seen that now there is no difference in profit for a laptop manufacturer, between a laptop with a removable battery and one with a embedded battery. The reason being that even before the battery goes bad, the user would be forced to buy a new laptop for one reason or another.

I want to know what the community thinks about this ideas that I had, for why laptop manufacturers should start making laptops with removable batteries again.

 

[UsandThem]

Well, this post has a lot to take in. To be honest, I really don't agree with any of it.

OS issues aren't because it's a laptop compared to a desktop. Windows 10 has about the easiest way of fixing most OS problems by simply clicking "reset this PC".
If you drop any electronic hard enough, it will get damaged. They also make laptops with both internal and external removable batteries. Internal are the most common, sure. And within a year, all laptops slow down because of shared system libraries? 😉

I read your other post in networking you recently created, and to be honest it sounds like you are trying to write your posts like they are an academic thesis paper with very broad assumptions and statements.

 

[Amol S.]

I read your other post in networking you recently created, and to be honest it sounds like you are trying to write your posts like they are an academic thesis paper with very broad assumptions and statements.

But that to is an opinion? Isn't it?

 

[UsandThem]

But that to is an opinion? Isn't it?

That it is. You are free to make claims on a tech site, but when they are this bold, you have to expect people to challenge your claims.

But it's not good to make such broad claims when they aren't factual. If you have links to back-up your claims, I'd love to check them out, as would the other people who will come in and read your posts.

 

[VirtualLarry]

But it's not good to make such broad claims when they aren't factual.

Yeah. Laptops DO NOT "slow down because multiple applications need to access shared libraries", at least, as long as they don't run out of RAM. In a Virtual Address system, there is only one copy of each shared library, and each application process has that shared libraries' memory mapped into the applications. If you have 1 application, or 10 applications, they still take the same amount of RAM for that shared library (more or less).

As far as the removable battery issue - most cheaper consumer laptops with embedded batteries, still use a battery case, with a wire or wires(s) coming out of it, that plugs into the mainboard / power-delivery board. So, while they are not user-replaceable, they are replaceable by a tech (assuming replacements are available). So it's not as horrible as you think. Not as bad as an iPhone / iPad, where you have to de-lamanate the glue on the backside of the screen, just to get at the battery (so I've heard, never seen it).

I by far prefer user-replaceable batteries, when available, but it seems that requires either an upscale (non-ultrabook) consumer laptop, or a more-clunky business-class laptop. Which I don't really mind, I'm not a huge fan of the "UltraBook craze", if it results in so many other maintenance / upgradabulity negatives.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You may wonder how, but the truth is that before the battery dies, Microsoft with their Windows 10 updates are causing computers to have more and more problems. I assume everyone here knows what I am talking about. Many users complain on the Microsoft's support forums that they ended up having to buy a new laptop after a certain Windows Update caused their old laptop to no longer work.

And just a friendly warning, this is borderline trolling, because while true, there were a class of laptops (pre-Bay Trail Atom based laptops), that were "obsoleted" by a certain Windows 10 release, to apply that particular issue in the broader sense is basically trolling.

There have also been "incompatibilities" between certain editions / releases of Windows 10, and certain specific models of laptops from certain OEMs, but those are generally fixed in post-release patches, to get them working.

The pre-Bay Trail Atom issue was different, as MS actually considered those laptops to be EOL, as I understand it. (Edit: I believe that might have been because those laptops did not support 64-bit CPU operation, and had a non-Intel-designed iGPU. (PowerVR? Imagination? Something that there weren't drivers for, apparently.)

 

[VirtualLarry]

Lastly but not least, the physical laptop it self that has a removable battery is in fact more fragile than one with an embedded one. The reason being that there is less support or should I say rigidness in the area of the battery compartment, which is most pf the time located bellow the hinge.

After disassembling some of my Asus Atom-based laptops with embedded batteries, and comparing to my business-class Lenovo laptops, I disagree. In my particular case, I think that it's really just the opposite.

 

[UsandThem]

OP, it sounds like you are interested in, and learning about computer tech. That's a good thing. My concern with your recent posts is you really state assumptions as if they are facts. For example, in your networking thread you state that internet service providers do not educate people about securing their routers or using other "best practice" security. While some installers might not do this, I have had the technician give me both verbal and written direction on how to do this. In fact, they usually make me change the default passwords before they leave, and ask if I want them to set-up my network (which I decline).

I am just giving you friendly advice on writing about tech stuff, on a tech enthusiast site. You gotta be fairly confident what you write before you click the "post" button is accurate and can be backed up statistics or articles when your writing style is written like it is fact or academia. While we don't allow personal attacks in the tech section, you will get tested on your statements.

Maybe in the future you could say something like "In my opinion, laptops with user-removable batteries are a better choice for consumers because......" Or "Microsoft's forced updates are not good for consumers because...". Remember, we are not students or teachers in a classroom. We are a collection of people who like buying, tinkering with, and discussing tech. Some new, some very experienced. With that advice, good luck.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I am just giving you friendly advice on writing about tech stuff, on a tech enthusiast site. You gotta be fairly confident what you write before you click the "post" button is accurate and can be backed up statistics or articles when your writing style is written like it is fact or academia. While we don't allow personal attacks in the tech section, you will get tested on your statements.

I can vouch for this, when I (somewhat blindly) assumed that when someone said "FSB", that they were automatically referring to the Pentium 4's QDR FSB. I got corrected, real quick.

Edit: If it's an opinion, then state it as such.

"In my opinion, I feel laptops slow down with Microsoft updates."

 

[daveybrat]

Also with Windows, within a year a laptops performance will slow down, due to the large number of programs trying to get access to the shared system libraries. This is true with any system that is running on Windows, and I think that everyone has experienced this problem as well. The only known solution to this problem is to reinstall Windows, which would be a tiresome thing to do. Thus in the end, people decide to buy a new laptop.

That may be YOUR experience with Windows, but it certainly isn't the truth. If your laptop is slowing down within a year, it's because you don't know how to maintain or optimize your system.

That is not Microsoft's fault.

 

[Paladin3]

That may be YOUR experience with Windows, but it certainly isn't the truth. If your laptop is slowing down within a year, it's because you don't know how to maintain or optimize your system.

That is not Microsoft's fault.

I ran into this problem with many of my clients back when I used to work repairing systems at a big box retailer. They would blame MS, MS updates, the manufacturer or even the government for some conspiracy to break their computer, "steal my info" and force them to buy a new computer. It was never their fault and always something dirty that needed to be exposed. It doesn't take long to find similar beliefs posted online, which they accept as fact and repeat. The classic example of a little knowledge being dangerous, and if I tried to educate them I was part of the problem.

Sounds like the OP may be in the same camp, even if he is well meaning with his posts.

 

[whm1974]

I ran into this problem with many of my clients back when I used to work repairing systems at a big box retailer. They would blame MS, MS updates, the manufacturer or even the government for some conspiracy to break their computer, "steal my info" and force them to buy a new computer. It was never their fault and always something dirty that needed to be exposed. It doesn't take long to find similar beliefs posted online, which they accept as fact and repeat. The classic example of a little knowledge being dangerous, and if I tried to educate them I was part of the problem.

Sounds like the OP may be in the same camp, even if he is well meaning with his posts.

Yeah I heard some of these stories as well. I even save my Boss's(from an old job) girlfriend some money by reinstalling Windows XP for her as she was going to buy a new computer.

 

[JackMDS]

While in Politics and social Interaction Baseless Verbiage is accepatable, it can work in Science based issues.

If I give Amol S. a $1 I can say I gave him Money.

If I give Larry $1000 I gave him Money.

The fact that in both cases I said the exact same Words
I gave him Money.Does No mean that $1 equal $1000.

Unfortunately this false Analogies are very prevalent on Facebook and Tweeter.

In scientific related issues Nah.


😎
https://forums.anandtech.com/members/amol-s.357671/

 

[corkyg]

Basically, this is market driven where users want thin and light. This is what leads to embedded, non-user replaceable items such as batteries and drives. This is another result of convergence between tablets and laptops. If you want user replaceable batteries, memory, and drives, you have to accept a thicker, heavier chassis.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Although it was true that a laptop manufacturer can only make more money, with making laptops that have embedded batteries, now it is possible to make the same profit by making them with removable batteries.

Actually, making non-removable batteries makes it possible to install much larger batteries. It also enables thinner designs. Consumers want that. Making a thinner case rigid actually requires more engineering and better materials, and increases costs, so there's likely no money "saved" by the manufacturers.

You may wonder how, but the truth is that before the battery dies, Microsoft with their Windows 10 updates are causing computers to have more and more problems. I assume everyone here knows what I am talking about. Many users complain on the Microsoft's support forums that they ended up having to buy a new laptop after a certain Windows Update caused their old laptop to no longer work.

If a system update hoses your computer, you have to...

Also with Windows, within a year a laptops performance will slow down, due to the large number of programs trying to get access to the shared system libraries. This is true with any system that is running on Windows, and I think that everyone has experienced this problem as well. The only known solution to this problem is to reinstall Windows, which would be a tiresome thing to do. Thus in the end, people decide to buy a new laptop.

Nobody replaces a 1-yo laptop instead of reinstalling their OS. It's actually really easy.

Lastly but not least, the physical laptop it self that has a removable battery is in fact more fragile than one with an embedded one. The reason being that there is less support or should I say rigidness in the area of the battery compartment, which is most pf the time located bellow the hinge. If any fall was to ever happen, all of the shock force would end up going straight to the battery compartment, and with enough force, the hinge might break. In other words, time to buy a new laptop.

Dropping a laptop is contraindicated regardless of battery type. Broken hinges are common and usually easy to repair if necessary, in older models. For newer machines used in risky environments, accidental damage insurance is available.

So it can be clearly seen that now there is no difference in profit for a laptop manufacturer, between a laptop with a removable battery and one with a embedded battery. The reason being that even before the battery goes bad, the user would be forced to buy a new laptop for one reason or another.

I want to know what the community thinks about this ideas that I had, for why laptop manufacturers should start making laptops with removable batteries again.

I think...

Well, actually, I think you should buy a Macbook Pro.

 

[corkyg]

To answer a basic question, laptop makers currently do offer models that have replaceable batteries. Just look at the business models and bypass the gee whiz, thin, light, adult toys.

BTW, I am moving this thread to where it belongs.

 

[mxnerd]

.
Also with Windows, within a year a laptops performance will slow down, due to the large number of programs trying to get access to the shared system libraries. This is true with any system that is running on Windows, and I think that everyone has experienced this problem as well. The only known solution

Yeah, it's always Microsoft's fault.

I always imagine that if I met Bill Gates on the street one day, I'll knock him out on the spot! 😀