[andyeb]

The MacBook Air was looking quite incredible on paper, until I read the tech specs and realised it has an integrated battery.

Apple - MacBook Air - Technical Specifications

That's a serious weakness for such an expensive machine and the reason why I will not buy one.

[prominence]

What's so bad about an integrated battery? (For those of us who aren't that tech savvy.)

[CollinG3G4]

Over the life of the machine, the battery will hold less of a charge and result in less battery life. But ya know, do you want a sub-notebook or not?

[andyeb]

Because all rechargeable batteries wear out. Every time you charge and discharge them, a little bit of capacity is lost.

So for example, my MacBook Pro battery was exchanged by Apple about 9 months or so ago and it is currently has about 75% of it's original capacity, despite the fact that it has only been through a total of 39 charge/discharge cycles. Similarly, my 2 year old iPod Nano now lasts a mere fraction of the time it did when it was new - now I have to charge it every day rather than once a week.

Batteries also deteriorate more quickly when they get hot. I have an original 2GHz MacBook Pro and it's a real toaster... The specs suggest this machine runs cooler, but an integrated battery is more likely to be exposed to high temperatures.

Perhaps Apple will offer a battery replacement program like they do for the iPod? I really hope so for all the people who fork out for this machine.

[The Placid Casual]

Every Mac laptop I have owned has had at least one battery replaced for various reasons, usually when they run out of charging cycles.

I always have 2 batteries for long meetings or presentations, or wen I am on the road.

This is a deal breaker for many people.

[peeb]

Well, the real question will be how easy is it to change the battery?

[MacosNerd]

I don't see this as a deal breaker. Based on the level of complaining, whining, wishing that I've seen. People are salivating over this puppy and just because the battery is integrated doesn't mean they'll not buy it. Will some avoid it, sure but most who had wanted a sub-compact mac will still buy it.

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by peeb 

Well, the real question will be how easy is it to change the battery?

If it's integrated, you'll need to open the case up and from the looks of the pictures that is not going to be an easy endeavor or one that apple considers a user replaceable component.

you'll have to send the computer into apple to get a new battery.

[rkv]

Am I correct in assuming this means the battery is not replaceable by the user. I like the machine but I am concerned about this for two reasons.

First, I have replaced batteries on iBooks, PowerBook Titaniums, PB 12", PB 15", PB 17" and a MacBook Pro 17". I have even had two batteries fail in the first year on my MacBook Pro 17". The Apple store readily replaced those on the spot without any questions or receipt since the machines had not even been in production for a year. However, I would have been quite unhappy if I had to send my computer in for repair.

Note, other than my MacBook Pro, these battery failures have occurred outside the warranty period. However, this has been well inside the machines useful life. One of the beauties of Apple's portables has been that they really do have long lives and you can always find uses for these older machines. Much more so than my experience with Toshiba or Sony portables where they have tended, principally because of WIndows to become paperweights as they get older.

Secondly, I travel a lot. I almost always fly in seats where I have power. However, even then I typically fly with one or two spare batteries so as to guarantee I have power while in transit. Nothing worse than getting stuck in an airport due to a flight delay and you can not find an electrical outlet. Yes there are airports where you simply can not plug in. Also, there are occasions when the seat power and the entertainment system is not working. You definitely want lots of juice for your laptop on such occasions.

The MacBook Air does look great. It surely trumps the PB 12" which I have been using when I really wanted to travel light. Although, I don't think I'll order one until I hear about the real world battery life as well as what Apple is going to be doing about battery replacement for the device.

[peeb]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

If it's integrated, you'll need to open the case up and from the looks of the pictures that is not going to be an easy endeavor or one that apple considers a user replaceable component.

you'll have to send the computer into apple to get a new battery.

Well, maybe - it could be as simple as taking it to the apple store and having them take the back off and drop a new one in. Of course, it could be as bad as you fear...

[cgc]

iPod batteries aren't user replaceable yet you can replace them with aftermarket batteries.

[hwojtek]

Engadget reports the $129 replacement battery shall be installed in-store.

[The Placid Casual]

Great news if you have no AppleStore near you, or in your country :/

[mduell]

$129 for a replacement isn't bad. The only downside is you can't carry a couple batteries in your bag for longer trips, but I'm sure someone will release an external battery "pad" that you can plug in to the MBAir.

[thunderous_funker]

Not having a spare is certainly something potential buyers will weigh. That's a pretty common thing for the travel set who will be considering a MBA.

Taking it to the shop to get a new battery put in I think will be a complete non-issue for that market segment.

[shafj]

I currently have a 15" MacBook Pro. I also had various other notebooks (Titanium Powerbook, 12" Powerbook, iBooks, Sony Vaios, Comaq and HP laptops). I have never ever had the need to carry spare batteries.

For its intended market, I don't think this will be a dealbreaker. For someone who values size and weight, why go through the hassle of carrying extra batteries?

The downside is that having it integrated makes it more difficult to replace faulty batteries but this is not an everyday thing.

[mduell]

People who need long runtimes can buy one of these.

Increases runtime by 16 (118Whr model) to 60 hours (440Whr model) using Apple's figures (5 hours on 37Whr).

[JKT]

I've posted this in other forums on this... my Powerbook battery (which I have looked after extremely well) still maintains about 80% of its charge and it is nearly 5 years old. Most of the past year has seen it being used more as a desktop than as a laptop so that probably has helped, but otherwise it is just because I have followed the advice that Apple has posted on their website for getting the best out of your battery (i.e. do a full discharge-charge cycle once a month and don't leave it idle for longer than that). In all those near 5 years I have actually only ever had to physically remove it three times - on each occasion it was because I had to take my Powerbook apart to replace a) a knackered hard drive and (b) and (c) to swap back and forth my superdrive with another superdrive to eject a stuck disk. I have removed it more often than that, but in terms of having to do it, it is only those three times (and that has only happened in the past two years too... first three years I didn't actually ever have to remove it) .

I can appreciate that some people need to use spares as they aren't always near a power source, or because they are heavier users than I am, but I would consider myself an average laptop user and frankly, the inability to replace the battery in the MBA, just as in the iPhone, doesn't concern me at all (with the one exception that there is fat chance that the "geniuses" at Apple Store Regent Street would be able to turnaround the replacement in 5 weeks* never mind 5 days).

* A slight, but not by too much, exaggeration.

So for example, my MacBook Pro battery was exchanged by Apple about 9 months or so ago and it is currently has about 75% of it's original capacity, despite the fact that it has only been through a total of 39 charge/discharge cycles

Either you are doing something seriously wrong with your battery or it is very faulty.

[hwojtek]

Yhm, I've got one of those faulty PBG4 12" batteries in my notebook (the one that should be exchanged long time ago) and still have 3+ hrs of battery time despite it's current 3300 mAh capacity. It's a 3 years old battery...

[brassplayersrock²]

^ just reported that btw. heh, and his sig is against guidelines (size). he's screwed