Wrong Info From IBM-Opinions?

Hey guys. I just got my 14" T61 today, and so far, I'm very happy with it. I do have one minor issue though. On the customizations page, it specifically said that the "high capacity batteries" were the only ones that stuck out of the back of the laptop, and it then listed 7, 8, and 9 cells as "extended," and the 4 and 6 cells as "standard." Thinking this may be in regards to 15 inch and not 14 inch models, I called IBM, and I was EXPLICITLY TOLD by a rep that the 4 cell and 6 cell do not stick out of the 14" T61, but the 7 cell does. So I went ahead and ordered the 6 cell, and of course, I was given wrong info by the rep and it sticks out the back.

Before I call Lenovo about possibly exchanging the battery, I was wondering if anyone can tell me what the average life is for the 4 cell vs the 6 or 7 cell. Is the 4 cell's life so bad that I'm better off staying with the 6 cell? Also, if I'm going to settle for having the battery stick out the back (which I really didn't want), would I be better off going w/ the 7 cell? I'm assuming the 7 cell doesn't stick out any further than the 6 cell and doesn't weigh much more, right?

I'm just a little pissed I was given the wrong info and now I'm not sure what I should do, so any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

 

depends on whether you have the 140m gpu or not. I'd say you get about 40 minutes of battery life per cell with an integrated gpu. So you could expect about 2:30 hrs battery life with a 4 cell vs 3:30 hours with the 6 cell. These values depend on many variables but theyre about right.

 

Thanks a lot for the info - it's extremely helpful. Am I correct in assuming that the 6 cell is the same size (physically) as the 7 cell for the 14" T61? I'd ask Lenovo, but I'm not confident I'll get the right info.

 

I believe the 6 and 7 cell are the same size except that the 7 cell is a bit heavier.

 

I know this doesn't answer your question but, I'm happy that I have the battery sticking out the back for two reasons: 1) I use the battery kind of like a grip to keep it stable on my arm when I move around. 2) I sometimes use it on my lap while it's plugged in, so I worry about hitting the A/C jack on the table when putting it back and stressing the connection (the jack sticks out the back). The battery kind of helps to protect it when I'm careless - it touches the table first when I set it down.

You might use your laptop different, though, just something to think about.

Edit - you can see the battery size difference here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2123794

 

Thanks a lot for all of the input, and ickysmits, thanks for the pictures - they're very helpful. You also raise a really good point about hitting the A/C jack w/o the extended battery - that's a very good point. I think I'm going to call IBM and try to get them to exchange the 6-cell for the 7-cell. If I knew I'd have a battery sticking out, I would have just went w/ the 7-cell to begin with.

 

News flash -- Lenovo bought the IBM PC unit a couple of years ago. Lenovo gave you incorrect information, and you'll need to call Lenovo to get it resolved, if you really feel you need to.

I'd agree with your summation, if it's gotta stick out, might as well get the largest capacity sticking out battery.

 

My mistake. I thought Lenovo was merely a house mark used by IBM for their laptops - I didn't realize they were actually a company that bought the laptop division from IBM. I think I will contact them to see if I can exchange the battery. Thanks again.

 

it depends on what model you have.

6 cell on standard screen model doesn't protrude.

it sticks out on wide screen model. There two different types of 6 cell batteries.

 

I was a little confused by that as well (the link talking about batteries on the order page wasn't very clear), and that's why I called customer service. Unfortunately, it was apparently a little confusing to the rep I spoke with as well.

 

yeah. But most people ordered wide screen would upgrade to 6 cell, even it sticks out. 4 cell is a joke, if you want to use the machine as a laptop.

 

I agree with you. My major point of contention is that if I'm going to have the battery sticking out either way, I might as well go for the 7 cell. I ordered the 6 over the 7 b/c I was told the 6 didn't stick out, while the 7 did.

 

14" wide screen: 4 cell normal; 6&7cell stick out the same bit..7 cell just a few oz heavier

 

Exactly! For a few dollars more, and a couple lbs more, well worth it to get another 30 mins (or so) of battery power.

 

I concur! if you're going to have something stick out...minus well maximize its use