The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Samsung Q320 Extended Battery

    Discussion in 'Samsung' started by Sub-D, Nov 16, 2009.

  1. Sub-D

    Sub-D Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    56
    Messages:
    608
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It's been a very long while since I last frequented these forums (to which I attribute a rapidly busying university course over the past three years and time wasted in World of Warcraft) however from the past I remember them as being helpful and very useful in solving queries, especially the Samsung forum. For the past two and a half years I have been happily using my Samsung Q35 for day to day tasks and reports however recently the unit took a few solvent burns and drops and had to be sent for repair.
    The item was deemed unrepairable and so a replacement unit is being shipped out to me this Wednesday, which I believe is the Samsung Q320 (NP-Q320-FS01UK) with a T4200 Dual Core Pentium, 3GB RAM and other features expected of the Q320.

    However, I do have a slight concern regarding the battery life of this unit which is quoted at 2 to 3 hours (lower due to the G105m?) on the Laptops Direct website. Previously I could squeeze 4 to 4.5 hours light usage out of my Q35 which could tide me over quite easily for a regular day. As such, does anyone know if there is an extended battery available for the Q320 (I believe it would be a 12 cell)? Googling and the most common websites I use pulled up zilch so I was wondering if any Q320 owners have found one.

    Many thanks!
     
    Sub-D, Nov 16, 2009
    #1
  2. mystery905

    mystery905 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    224
    Messages:
    1,287
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I don't know of any extended battery, but I know I can squeeze 4 - 5 hours of life out of the standard battery doing just web surfing.

    However, I have the lower-power P8700, so that may have something to do with it. I also under-volt my CPU which should help you as well.

    I would just under-volt if I were you, and see what kind of life you get out of it before spending any more money.
     
    mystery905, Nov 16, 2009
    #2
  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,197
    Messages:
    28,841
    Likes Received:
    2,166
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Welcome back. :)

    The Q320's standard battery is a relatively low capacity 4400mAh unit. Trusted Reviews think it can be stretched to about 4 hours with the T6400. Notebookcheck estimate 5 hours with a P series CPU.

    Do the specifications at the back of the Q320 manual mention larger batteries?

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Nov 16, 2009
    #3
  4. Sub-D

    Sub-D Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    56
    Messages:
    608
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    No sign of anything larger than a 6 cell in the Samsung product listening so I suppose I must have read rumours of a 12 cell, which is rather unfortunate! I guess I will need to consider undervolting - thanks for the information!

    I'll be sure to post back with the effective battery life I can squeeze from the T4200.
     
    Sub-D, Nov 16, 2009
    #4
  5. mystery905

    mystery905 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    224
    Messages:
    1,287
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    56
    If you really need more battery life, just buy a second 6-cell.

    It weighs the same with the other 6-cell as 1 12-cell and you get the same extended run time.

    It also makes the notebook less unwieldy.
     
    mystery905, Nov 16, 2009
    #5
  6. La Head

    La Head Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    actually, samsung ships the Q320 with 2 configurations for the batteries. as far as i know, the lower end Q320s ship with a lower capacity 4400mAh battery and the higher end Q320 with the p8700 cpus ship with a 5200mAh battery (i took out my battery right now just to check).

    this is probably why there is a slight anecdotal difference in the battery life described by the various Q320 owners here! hope that helped.

    ps. if anyone does find a place here they have extended batteries, lemme know too, i want some of that!!!
     
    La Head, Nov 16, 2009
    #6
  7. mystery905

    mystery905 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    224
    Messages:
    1,287
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    56
    mystery905, Nov 16, 2009
    #7
  8. Blofeld

    Blofeld Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Would appreciate it if you could detail how to under-volt the CPU.
     
    Blofeld, Nov 18, 2009
    #8
  9. mystery905

    mystery905 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    224
    Messages:
    1,287
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    56
    mystery905, Nov 18, 2009
    #9
  10. Sub-D

    Sub-D Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    56
    Messages:
    608
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The T4200 configured Q320s appear to be shipping with the 5200mAh batteries as well, or at the very least mine did.

    Must say, the machine is absolutely beautiful and has been a pleasure to use for today. I'm actually looking forward to having to do some report writing on it so I can get a good use of the keyboard.
     
    Sub-D, Nov 18, 2009
    #10
  11. Blofeld

    Blofeld Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Blofeld, Nov 18, 2009
    #11
  12. cobra427

    cobra427 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    cobra427, Nov 23, 2009
    #12
  13. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,197
    Messages:
    28,841
    Likes Received:
    2,166
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Good find. If the list on that site is correct, the battery fits many Samsung notebooks.

    What is the part number of the normal Q320 6 cell battery? My guess is AA-PB6NC6B.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Nov 23, 2009
    #13
  14. stephend05

    stephend05 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    How much battery life could you expect from the q320 with the t4200 with that 7800mAh battery?
     
    stephend05, Nov 25, 2009
    #14