x200s - 6-cell or 9-cell?

Hey all x200s users...

Do you use the 6-cell or 9-cell? I've ordered one with the 9-cell from lenovo, but I think it's rather bulky (sticks out the back a lot) and I might want to buy a 6-cell...

What is the realistic life for one charge of the 6-cell and 9-cell? Assuming normal brightness, Wifi, emailing and office work...

Thanks a lot

 

The 6 and 9 cell have the same amount of power per cell. As a result, the 6 cell will last 2/3 as long as the 9 cell. Conversely, the 4 cell has a lower per cell rating and will only last 1/2 as long as the 6, or 1/3 as long as the 9.

The x200s should have identical power consumption to my x200T (assuming a LV processor and LED display), but offers superior batteries (56WHr for 6 cell, 64 Whr for my 8 cell, 84 WHr for the 9 cell).

Energy consumption is generally dependent upon usage. With a dim display and simple usage (i.e. typing or reading a document), I have been able to hold under 6.0 watts (9.3 hours on 6 cell, 10.67 on 8 cell, 14 on 9 cell). However, as your usage increases so will consumption. Web browsing and video playback with a fairly bright display tends to fluctuate between 10.0 and 12.0 watts (4.6-5.6 on 6 cell, 5.3-6.4 on 8 cell, 7.0-8.4 on 9 cell). Other usage patterns (e.g. file compression, media transcoding, etc.) would draw even more power.

You will have to decide on the battery that suits your needs best. The 6 cell is probably the sweet spot in terms of size, weight, and life but the 4/9 cell have their merits as well.

If I were to get an x200s and wanted the option, I would probably get a 4 and a 9 cell. The 9 cell is enough by itself for almost any usage pattern, albeit rather bulky. Alternatively, if I only needed a short sprint on battery, or I expected to have AC available I would use the 4 cell due to the reduced size/weight. The x200s w/ 9 cell and NO adapter should weigh about the same as the x200s w/ 4 cell and AC adapter.

As I said, you will have to make the choice on your own.

 

I suggest the 6 cell. (good fit, great battery life)

 

I get around 4.0-4.5 hours on the 6-cell, but that's with wifi on, listening to windows media player, lots of compiling, web surfing, and screen at 1/2 brightness. I think I am at the low end of the range...every time this question comes up on this forum everyone else does much better on the 6-cell than I do.

 

anymore users who've used both 6-cell and 9-cell can comment? even better still... any pics to show the difference?

 

I can't find my camera right now, but the 6-cell hardly protrudes at all. The x200 already has "legs" to push to laptop up at a slant, and the 6-cell extends beyond that by maybe ~1cm. The 6-cell already puts a lot of the weight in the back of the laptop. And although I haven't used a 9-cell, I think it would be too much weight if you are going for portability.

Edit: I took the images with my camera phone. The nub on the outside is part of the laptop, the inside nub shows how much the battery extends beyond that.

 

I don't think the overall weight would be a problem (it's still under 3.0 lbs. with the 9 cell). However, balance and the center of gravity (CoG) may well be an issue. With the 4 cell the CoG should be right in the middle . The 6 cell will slide the CoG back slightly, and the 9 cell will cause the CoG to almost be at the very back of the laptop. As such, it may seem a bit unbalanced with the 9 cell.


I maintain my recommendation that if you are going to get only one battery it should be the 6 cell. However, if you are going to have two batteries, I would recommend a 9 and 4, vs. two 6 cells, or a 9 and a 6.

 

Actually the 9-cell is about 3.5 lbs+. The x200 is only under 3 lbs with the 4-cell.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4497

I agree with the rest though.

 

We are talking about the x200 s.

Listed weights for the x200s are:

4-cell 2.43 lbs
6-cell 2.71 lbs
9-cell 3.05 lbs

All of these weights assume the LED model and possibly a 1.8" SSD with adapter (50 g lighter than an HDD in my experience).

The picture above is for the x200 with 6 cell. The 4 cell does not have the circular raised portion (it is perfectly flush with the body of the notebook). Additionally, the base of the x200s is marginally (about 0.1") thinner than the x200. As such, the 6/9 cell will raise the x200s very slightly more than it raises the x200.

 

Oops, my fault. I completely glossed over the s part.