Questions about batteries sticking out the back on newer Lenovos

I've only owned one Lenovo, my T61. I've been telling this forum for about a year that I'm looking to get something newer in the Thinkpad line (doesn't need to be the latest model): modern fast CPU, USB 3.0, W8.1, Trackpoint. That's about it for must-haves.

As I look at the images of newer models (if I name them I'll get the names wrong so I'll just be vague here) I see the batteries sticking out the back of the unit. No, my T61 battery doesn't stick out the back but they do now.

Are all batteries sticking out the back now? Are only the largest you can get with any one model the ones that stick out the back? Why do they stick out the back anyway? Doesn't that make carrying that model with one's hand on the hinge side kind of dicey? Am I worrying too much here?

 

AFAIK, no.

Well, even if you were to install a 9-cell extended battery in your T61 it would stick out of the back. These were first introduced in R5x/T4x series a dozen years ago and the situation hasn't really changed much apart from the fact that some of the current ThinkPads have an internal battery that is not supposed to be user replaceable. The "biggest" battery usually sticks out.

I wouldn't worry about this particular aspect on any ThinkPad, but that's me.

 

The larger batteries stick out the bottom, not the back these days. You might help your cause if you said what you're looking to spend. A new machine, depending on what you're doing, may not offer you much in the way of performance. Getting a SSD is likely a better performance upgrade than the CPU for typical usage.

 

Not all batteries stick out the back, but the batteries that do not are of smaller capacity. I have a larger battery in my x230t, and I actually like the fact that it sticks out of the back. It almost acts like a little handle that I can grab when I am holding the laptop across my forearm when I walk with it, and it is especially useful in tablet mode making it easier to use when I am inking.

 

Not sure about the recent models however a trend I notice is that the thinner the laptop the less likely there will be battery options and/or "user-replaceable" batteries. I put that in quotes because while laptop manufacturers tend to frown on users replacing their own batteries it may not stop some users from doing so. In regards to the extended batteries I feel it depends on the situation. If one plans on being away from a mains outlet for an extended period of time then the extended battery is the way to go. As Deinos mentions the larger battery can also function as a supplement to handling and carrying. Personally I prefer a more flush and streamlined solution for the battery. I have an X2001 (x200 chassis and x201 transplanted motherboard) and bought a 6-cell battery. The 6-cell elevates the Thinkpad vertically rather than expanding it via the rear. This retains flush dimensions in the rear of the laptop. This is my personal happy-medium compared to the smaller 4-cell and larger 9-cell battery.

 

I didn't want to turn this into a "what laptop should I buy" thread but after checking out a ton of models that have come out since my T61 was new, I guess it comes down to basically replicating what I have, only majorly updated.

Which means I don't want to give up the Optical drive, which eliminates a ton of models with 14" monitors and below (don't know if that's the deciding factor but it's amazing how many models state "no optical included". At first I thought I'd just try some X model just to see what it would be like to have a much smaller but still competent Lenovo. But I also want to run Photoshop and Lightroom (and other photo processing software) and I don't think the "lame" CPUs the smallest Lenovos have would work. (like the X140e).

And I want three USB, two of which have to be 3.0. Which eliminates a lot of other models which have only two or maybe no USB 3.0 at all. Which had kind of leaves me looking at the T530 with a CPU like the i5-3320M. They come up on ebay, used, for under $500.

Windows 7 is OK, 8.1 better (I've got XP now and that's a dead end and besides my T61 just wants to crash and sputter, inspiring no confidence anymore). I've got W7 on two desktops so I'm used to that. Size of battery isn't that much of an issue as I usually plug my T61 when working away from my desk. But a long charge notebook would really be something different for me, knowing I could work unplugged for 4 hours or more. Don't know what that's like!