Vaio SZ: Large Capacity vs. Standard Battery

Hello,

I will soon be purchasing a Sony Vaio SZ but am still wavering on whether to go with the large capacity or standard battery. The price isn't a big issue for me, but I have heard that the large capacity adds significant weight and bulk. Any thoughts? Is it worth the extra battery life to deal with the extra weight/bulk?

Thanks for your help!
Rachel

 

That depends on how much you have to lug it around. If you are frequently on road, where you need the extra battery life, then you should go for the extended battery.
But if you always have access to a power port, and don't need to use you laptop on battery power much, then the extra battery wouldn't be of much use to you. Finally, it boils down to your needs.

 

I have the extended battery and initially I wasn't happy because it literally sticks out from the laptop, but after living with it for a week I really like it because it works as a handle when carrying it around with me and it also props up the computer a little.

It basically looks like they encased AA batteries the length of the battery compartment by extending the casing from the standard battery. I had to get used to the feel of it also when carrying it around folded up too since it sticks out the full diameter of a AA battery plus about an eighth inch of plastic surrounding the battery and a quarter inch of plastic between the original battery and lineup of the extended batteries.

My hand fits around it very confortably when using it as a handle to carry around the laptop while it's opened.

Jerz

 

How long does your large capacity last under normal use such as full brightness on wi-fi Internet surfing?

Anyone?

 

Well... I'm not real sure since I've only had it a week or two but according to the battery indicator it says 2hours and 46 minutes. I use it when I go out to a bar or get something to eat or pretty much whatever I do... like righ now for example... I'm sitting at the bar, drinking some beer and waiting on some food... strange thing is that I'm the only one staring into a laptop. I'll try and monitor it a bit more closely but I have to say that I really love this laptop... and I'm even using the cingular right now. Im heading on a 5hour road trip on Wednesday so I'll tray and see how long it lasts.

Cheers!

Jerz

 

When I first got my sz i purchased one of each. I also purchased the external battery charger. I usually carry an extra battery and it is almost always the standard size. When I know I will be away for awhile I take the extended battery or both (for a total of three). If I were buying over again I would buy one extra standard battery and the kensington aftermarket power adapter which combines ac and dc charging adapters. I would also buy the external charger again. I leave the extra batteries on the charger until I need them.

My typical setup is everything on, screen max bright, and nvidea graphics mode. I get 2.5 hours with standard batteries and 3.5 or 4 hours on extended battery. If I were running low on power I could scale back the processor and graphics to gain another 40 minutes or so - that almost never seems to happen. If I needed more than 6 hours a day of power than I would buy two extra standard batteries and the external battery charger but that is just me.....

 

Well I normally run on low settings, with Wi-Fi and willing to have lower brightness as well if it'll save power.

So 4-5hrs achievable with battery and definately on the larger capacity then? What OS are you using by the way? XP or Vista cause when I buy the new SZ4 it's going to be Vista Business. I've heard it takes about an hour away using Vista.

Anything above 3~ hours I'm happy. I'm sat in my lecture now too, need my portability, her blabbing along down there about HCI... zzzz.

 

How much weight does the extended battery add (vs. the standard)?

 

475gramms I think.

 

Is that about 1 lb.?

 

It adds about a 1/2 lb. So the SZ weighs about 3.72 lbs with the standard, and like 4.04 with the extended.

 

Thanks! What's the time difference like? In an equal test, approx how long would the standard battery last vs. the extended?

 

That's what I want to know, under Stamina in Vista. Stanard vs larger capacity.

 

Sorry, couldn't tell you. I've only ever owned the extended.

 

What? 4.04 on larger battery? That's alarming low man! Are you on Vista or XP?

 

[Shakes his head]

I would be real careful about using the extended battery as a carry handle.

I would place little if any faith in the two tiny spring-loaded plastic prongs that hold the battery in place to support the entire laptop. You may find yourself holding the battery in one hand and picking your laptop off of the concrete with the other.

*****

I get about 5.5 hrs with the extended battery at full throttle, about 6.5-7 hrs under stamina settings.

 

?A carry handle??? Well that is not *exactly* what I meant.... when I carry it with the screen open and have my forearm underneath the sz I use the extended battery to grip onto to keep it balanced on my forearm... I definately don't go around just hanging onto the battery...

 

Re-read my post. I was responding to his weight question. It's about 4.04 lbs with the extended battery.

 

Sorry FenderP, dead tired last night, no sleep all day.

But I don't think you mentioned whether you're using XP or Vista though? Or did I miss something again...

 

Was on XP, have been on Vista Ultimate for about two months now.

 

Okay so how long does it last with your extended battery with Vista then? Since I'm going to get it with Vista Business anyway and probably would want a larger battery.