Why do laptops not come with external batteries?

Many years ago, my first laptop or two... the battery was an external battery. So you could easily pull it out if you want to use it without battery or if you buy replacement battery, it was as simple as take it out, put the new one in. No screws or anything.


Then years later, every laptop battery is inside, so you need to open it up with screwdriver etc.


Why did they do this? Is it to make the battery last longer? Or so it would charge the consumer more so those who don't want to or can't open up their laptop, pay the extra fee to have a place do it?

 

Mainly scummy engineered obsolescence, I think. App$e has taken this the farthest - you can't open the laptop up at all. That said, you can use an external power bank if you need more juice on the go.

 

Also it can be to make the battery packs odd/skinny shapes so they fit into a very slim chassis. That's what tends to sell more nowadays. There are still a few models with removable batteries but it's pretty slim pickings I believe.

 

Very slim pickings, indeed. The only thing I can think of is the Clevo DTR (X150 I believe).

 

The slim down sickness is the main reason. Apple design everywhere. The new Clevo X170 is with removable battery.

 

I'm using the Apex 15 (Clevo) which has a removable battery (2 screws and it pops off easily). Charged it to 50% and removed it; its been gathering dust somewhere since then. It's still a fat boy but since the machine spends 99% of its life plugged in, not the biggest deal to power it off and move it to another power point.

 

1. Easier, cheaper, simpler to design and produce;
2. Allows thinner&lighter designs, adhering to thin&light craze;
3. Many if not most users won't bother replacing internal batteries, so planned obsolescence.

No.

I doubt they care who exactly installs the replacement battery, as long as it is bought from them and not directly from OEM or some aftermarket supplier.