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Primary or Secondary Battery

post #1 of 10
5/27/04 at 11:19pm
Thread Starter 
I've been looking to get a second battery for my Sentia, and I'm not sure if I should get another Primary battrey or one of the Secondary batteries. Does anyone have any experience with the different types of batteries, and what would be the best bet?

Having a secondary battery would allow the computer to last longer, but my CD-RW/DVD drive would be rendered useless, as it would have to be removed.
Getting another primary battery would allow me to use the CD-RW/DVD drive, and the battery lasts longer and is cheaper, but I would have to shut down and restart in order to switch out the battery.

Any opinions, ideas, etc. would be great.
Thanks,
Scudmuffin
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post #2 of 10
5/27/04 at 11:53pm
I went with an extra Primary battery. I get about 3.5 hours of life on it, and it works great. I didn't choose to go with the secondary because 1) You can't use your CD-ROM drive, 2) You have to find a really secure place to put the CD-ROM drive while not in use as it is extremely delicate, and 3) The primary battery lasts longer. You don't have to shut down the computer to swap the batteries out, just plug it in for a sec and change it. I bought a power inverter for the car for when I travel and it works great also. Another good thing about the Primary battery is cost, it's only $69 while the secondary is $98. I'd go with the extra primary.
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post #3 of 10
5/28/04 at 3:28am
I was mulling over the same question myself, and agree with smurf9271 with the 2nd primary batt.
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post #4 of 10
5/28/04 at 4:17am
Some musings from the crowd.

I love the 2nd batt.

Pro's:
Its smaller and lighter than 2 primaries
Both can be plugged in at once, no need to tote the second primary or swap to charge
Both can be charged at once w/o swapping a battery.
Its gotta alotta juice, not as much as primary but still pretty powerful

Cons
Give up cd bay
not as much juice as 2 primaries
Its not hot swappable
Laptop draws off primary first, -wtf if that isnt arse backwards???

ill post others as they come to me
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post #5 of 10
5/28/04 at 9:18am
Secondary battery was free when I ordered mine and it's still in original wraping never used I don't have the need or want to lose my dvd drive to use it I also would recommend the primary extra if you need the power.
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post #6 of 10
5/28/04 at 2:49pm
I agree with the other posters. I don't see any point whatsoever in getting the secondary batter (unless you got it for free). Primary is cheaper, lasts longer, and allows for the use of your dvd/cd.

Jumping off the bandwagon now...

-Danko
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post #7 of 10
5/28/04 at 2:50pm
The convenience of the long batt life without having to shut down to swap that the secondary battery provides was a selling point as I was deciding. But when on the road I find myself using the optical drive quite a bit. But this is how I use it. Others use it differently and may not need the drive on the road.
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post #8 of 10
5/29/04 at 2:29am
I have found myself not using the optical drive as much, (Not my only cpu though)
And swap optical in only when needed. I would hate swapping primaries to charge.
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post #9 of 10
5/29/04 at 3:21am
If I'm not mistaken, isn't the drive bay not hot swappable? I've taken the drive out when the computer is on, and put it back in and it restarts the computer. That would seem like kind of a hassle to me.
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post #10 of 10
5/30/04 at 6:32pm
yes, not hot swappable. It is a minor hassle, seeing as I siad I dont use the rom drive that much, and enjoy the extra battery life more.
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