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    Are there any downsides to Lenovo's Rapid Charge technology?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by noxxle99, Aug 15, 2012.

  1. noxxle99

    noxxle99 Notebook Deity

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    Anyone aware of any downsides to Lenovo's Rapid Charge technology? For example, do the batteries that support this last just as long as those that do not? These days, you are lucky to get 3 years out of most lithium batteries and by then they usually don't hold a full charge.
     
    noxxle99, Aug 15, 2012
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  2. Esben84

    Esben84 Notebook Guru

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    I'm interested in knowing that as well. The X301 6-cell battery I have is 4 years old and still holds 95 % charge, so I guess not all batteries are dead after 3 years. But maybe if you use RapidCharge, they will be.
     
    Esben84, Aug 17, 2012
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  3. djembe

    djembe drum while you work

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    I would guess Rapid Charge is based on changes baked into the firmware of the batteries. Some automotive batteries use a similar system and it does not affect the lifetime of the battery. As such, I would guess that Rapid Charge is similarly safe.
     
    djembe, Aug 17, 2012
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  4. erik

    erik modifier

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    batteries must be formulated specifically to support rapid charging.   you can't rapid charge standard batteries without negative effects.
     
    erik, Aug 17, 2012
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  5. djembe

    djembe drum while you work

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    This also explains why Lenovo put a hardware lock on the new systems so they don't attempt to rapid charge batteries that aren't designed for it.
     
    djembe, Aug 17, 2012
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  6. hotsauce

    hotsauce Notebook Evangelist

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    Well that and so they can guarantee all battery revenue comes back to their own bank accounts. :rolleyes:
     
    hotsauce, Aug 17, 2012
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