subject: Essential Tech - How to Choose an External Notebook Battery [print this page] Essential Tech - How to Choose an External Notebook Battery
This is the era of the road warrior, and the ever trustworthy side-kick he must have - the external notebook battery. If you're one of the millions who do their work on the go, logging the miles on the road or in the air with your notebook, cell phone and various other electronic gadgets, a source of extra power that travels along with you is absolutely essential. This article lays out the facts you should have in mind when you go shopping for this crucial piece of technology.
Increasingly, the four walls of the traditional office are giving way for the mobile kind, and professionals are doing a large percentage of their business while on the road. Even cubicle-dwellers often have to move out for meetings, conferences and client calls while still bringing essentially the entire office with them. The average acer laptop battery life of today's notebooks range anywhere from less than an hour to around three hours in real-world use, and even the newer models that boast battery times of up to nine hours or more between charges are probably not going to last anywhere near that long in actual office use that usually includes accessing the internet, heavy multimedia and graphics programs and the like. A good external notebook battery will add that critical extra power, and some models will even connect to your phone, portable printer, digital camera, and other devices, making an all-in-one power source.
When shopping for your very own external battery, consider the following specifications:
Adjustable output voltage - while the primary voltage should match your notebook requirement, an easily settable adjustable voltage will make the unit easier to use for your phone and any other battery powered device. These "universal" external batteries usually come with an assortment of connectors to plug into different devices. Check that connectors are included or available for your devices.
International wall-plugs - For international travel, make sure that your unit has an input voltage that matches the grid voltage (110 or 220v/AC) and socket arrangement of the country you are visiting. Many units either have an automatic or manually switchable input voltage and several adaptors that will fit any wall socket standard throughout the world. Note however that the more "universal" a battery is, the harder to manage it will probably be because of all the different adaptor and connector pieces it comes with.
Exact voltage measurement - Do check that the fujitsu notebook battery you are getting has an output voltage and amperage that matches your notebook's requirements, assuming that your notebook is the primary device you will use the battery for. Modern notebooks usually have a small margin for error as to the electricity it receives from the power source and can be damaged if your battery supplies a vastly different voltage and amperage than what is needed.
Finally, a piece of tech as essential as an external notebook battery should be picked with care. Narrow down your choices and read the industry reviews and user experiences that are easily found on the internet and in the trade magazines. This should not be an impulse buy, and with care in your selection, your unit should serve you well for many years to come.
Find the facts, read the reviews, know everything there is to know about choosing your external laptop battery!
