Dell + dual batteries

redav · 27th June 2006, 1:27 PM

Hey, I for the life of me can't workout which Dell notebooks allow dual batteries. Does anyone else know? I've been through all their configurable systems and they all list primary batteries (and a larger size) and a spare primary battery but I don't see any mention of a dual battery adaptor for the modular bay. I'm confused:

Any ideas? Is there another make of notebook which has the ability to have a second battery running at the same time? What I'm after is a base spec notebook that has very long battery life. I'm not interested in heaps of memory or a fast CPU, it can be a low spec machine but it needs to have plenty of standalone run time and preferably cheapish.

tekster · 27th June 2006, 2:27 PM

I think most of the Latitude series support modular batteries.
The Latitude D620 comes standard with a 9-cell and can be fitted with a modular 6-cell (+$200).

On the other hand, have you considered the standard Dells with larger sized batteries?
Both the 640m and M1210 with 9-cell batteries have an on-paper life about 8 hours, which turns out to be 5/6+ according to reviews.

FaTs · 27th June 2006, 2:34 PM

Your correct, Latitude series use a modular battery that slots in where the CD/DVD would normally reside.

You can spec some Lats up with a 12cell battery, maybe some of the Inspirons allow you to do the same thing.

a777 · 27th June 2006, 2:38 PM

I know the Toshiba Tecra M2 series can have dual batteries. And I think some of the IBM Thinkpads like the R51 can have a dual battery

Have you also considered some of the (generic) external battery packs?

External Battery

redav · 27th June 2006, 3:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekster

On the other hand, have you considered the standard Dells with larger sized batteries?
Both the 640m and M1210 with 9-cell batteries have an on-paper life about 8 hours, which turns out to be 5/6+ according to reviews.

Oh, I'll be getting as big a batteries as possible

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaTs

Your correct, Latitude series use a modular battery that slots in where the CD/DVD would normally reside.

You can spec some Lats up with a 12cell battery, maybe some of the Inspirons allow you to do the same thing.

Does this mean that by default the battery design allows it to be plugged into the bay where you'd plug your DVD into? So all you'd need to do is buy a Latitude and a second battery and it could be fitted straight away?

Quote:

Originally Posted by a777

I know the Toshiba Tecra M2 series can have dual batteries. And I think some of the IBM Thinkpads like the R51 can have a dual battery

Have you also considered some of the (generic) external battery packs?

External Battery

I haven't looked into external battery packs yet. Probably a good idea. Think I'll need one for the digital camera I'll have hanging of the computer

Axfiniti · 22nd July 2006, 11:22 PM

My INSPIRON 600m has 2 batteries... dunno if it was the last model to ever have dual batteries...

Dell must have figured out that single larger capacity is better than two smaller ones...

Dunno whether pyschological, but I like dual batteries

27th June 2006, 1:27 PM	#1
redav Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brisbane Posts: 2,552	Dell + dual batteries Hey, I for the life of me can't workout which Dell notebooks allow dual batteries. Does anyone else know? I've been through all their configurable systems and they all list primary batteries (and a larger size) and a spare primary battery but I don't see any mention of a dual battery adaptor for the modular bay. I'm confused: Any ideas? Is there another make of notebook which has the ability to have a second battery running at the same time? What I'm after is a base spec notebook that has very long battery life. I'm not interested in heaps of memory or a fast CPU, it can be a low spec machine but it needs to have plenty of standalone run time and preferably cheapish. __________________ Team Jesus http://vimeo.com/channels/haveboardwilltravel www.RedBubble.com/redav Manual 97 TF Magna sedan

27th June 2006, 2:34 PM	#3
FaTs Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bris Vegas... Posts: 1,362	Your correct, Latitude series use a modular battery that slots in where the CD/DVD would normally reside. You can spec some Lats up with a 12cell battery, maybe some of the Inspirons allow you to do the same thing. __________________ Folding Stats\|Folding Boxen Folding@Home 1600000 Points Milestone\|Folding@Home 19000 Club The Official OCAU Folding Page Addicted to folding club member #24/7

27th June 2006, 2:38 PM	#4
a777 Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Queensland Posts: 1,701	I know the Toshiba Tecra M2 series can have dual batteries. And I think some of the IBM Thinkpads like the R51 can have a dual battery Have you also considered some of the (generic) external battery packs? External Battery __________________ -

27th June 2006, 2:27 PM	#2
tekster Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sydney Posts: 274	I think most of the Latitude series support modular batteries. The Latitude D620 comes standard with a 9-cell and can be fitted with a modular 6-cell (+$200). On the other hand, have you considered the standard Dells with larger sized batteries? Both the 640m and M1210 with 9-cell batteries have an on-paper life about 8 hours, which turns out to be 5/6+ according to reviews.

22nd July 2006, 11:22 PM	#6
Axfiniti Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Melbourne Posts: 85	My INSPIRON 600m has 2 batteries... dunno if it was the last model to ever have dual batteries... Dell must have figured out that single larger capacity is better than two smaller ones... Dunno whether pyschological, but I like dual batteries