Should I get the extended battery?

I recently received my Sony Vaio EA Series, which I'm using for college, and quickly realized Sony gave me the standard battery when I ordered the extended.

I decided to test out the battery anyway, and found that it lasts around 2.5 hours at 50% brightness while surfing the web. I suppose that this is a normal battery life for a standard battery.

I'm wondering if I should get the extended battery though because it'll make the laptop heavier and the battery will jut out so the laptop will sit at an angle. ANy opinions on the matter?

Also, can anyone give me a link to pictures of the EA series with the extended battery? I tried searching on the E series forum in the Owner's Lounge but I couldn't find anything.

 

I am currently using an F-series, but the same principals apply.

Though the battery does make the laptop heavier and creates an angle when you place the laptop on a desk, the weight is not significant and many users (myself included) like the angle the battery creates. Raising the back of the laptop as the battery does can make for a more comfortable typing experience. If you want to try it yourself before you get the extended batter, but two or so DVD cases under the back of the laptop.

Though I do like the angle the battery creates, I opted to stick with the normal batter because it was cheaper and I didn't foresee myself requiring too much of a battery boost. I too am about to head off to college, and I know that almost every class room will have power outlets and I know that my classes are far enough apart that battery life shouldn't be an issue.

 

Also raising the back of the laptop does help with cooling (a little bit). I have seen some funny pictures on Part 3 of the i5/i7 F series thread on how people raise their F's to help just that bit more with heat dissapation.

Getting my F12 on Monday (well to be honest it is waiting for me at the dealer, but I am away this wekeend camping and know I will just spend the whole weekend on the laptop if I go and get it today)!

 

I agree with both assessments. For myself, I bought both batteries to go with my Z11, but use the standard battery only as a backup on long trips away from power.

I can only think of a couple of additional benefits to the extended battery:

1. Allows for a greater capacity when using Sony's "Battery Care" option. At 80% charge, it is still more than the standard battery.
2. It can make the laptop easier to pick up in (sort of like adding a handle). Of course, I wouldn't trust the battery latch to hold if I was to swing the laptop while holding just the battery, but it's good to help with picking it up

 

Hey guys, thanks for the replies! I called up Sony again to get the extended battery. It'll be good to have the extra battery life

 

Based on the animation I found in the z11 faq the difference between the normal and the extended battery is 12.9mm, what is more or less a dvd cover. Now I'm using my old vgn z21 with a dvd cover under its base and I love it I will definitely go for the extended battery

 

If I recall the discussion in the E Series owners thread correctly, the extended-capacity battery for the E Series has the same physical dimensions as the standard battery.

I suggest a search of that thread using the word "battery" to confirm (follow up with a question if it's unclear). It's possible that Sony did send the battery you ordered, in which case you could save yourself some money.