“Due to its ultra-thin profile, Apple’s new MacBook Air was designed with an integrated 37-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery that is not user-replaceable [but] the replacement process is quite trivial,” Kasper Jade reports for AppleInsider.
“According to people familiar with the new-generation notebook, there are no special tools or knowledge required to swap out the MacBook Air’s battery,” Jade reports. “Instead, the process requires a single size-0 type philips screwdriver and some diligence.”
“Once flipped upside down, the MacBook Air’s bottom cover is easily unscrewed and removed, providing immediate access to the battery cavity. From there, the battery can be unscrewed from the chassis with the same screwdriver and unplugged from the circuit board with a simple tug — it’s not soldered to the board,” Jade reports. “The entire process, according to those in the know, can be completed by any service technician in as little as three minutes.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “bob” for the heads up.]
MacDailyNews Note: As a side note, for those times when you need it, third-party sources such as Batterygeek.net offer external battery packs for Apple’s MacBook and MacBook Pro which offer anywhere from 3 to 20+ hours of additional runtime per charge. These third-party suppliers are not just going to randomly decide to ignore MacBook Air. Patience, Padawans. MacBook Air was just unveiled on Tuesday.
Other items of interest — or what we like to call “Whiner Silencers” — that Apple already offers for MacBook Air:
• MagSafe Airline Adapter: $49. Just plug it into your airline seat power port and keep your MacBook Air powered up for the entire flight.
• Ethernet Adapter: $29. Connects to the USB 2.0 port of your MacBook Air and provides an RJ-45 connector that supports 10/100BASE-T performance.
• Modem: $49. Connects to the USB port on your MacBook Air.
• MacBook Air SuperDrive: $99: Compact external MacBook Air SuperDrive connects to your MacBook Air via USB and fits easily into a travel bag. Read and write CDs and DVDs, including double-layer DVDs.
Other things MacBook Air road warriors might consider (besides canceling their chiropractic appointments): USB EVDO Modem for wireless broadband, USB Travel Hub for multiple devices, and other such items.
This option is not for people who carry a second battery, however. I don’t know why someone would want to, mind you.
Maybe people will stop crying about the battery now. Sheesh.
“Maybe people will stop crying . . .”
Never underestimate the steady flow of whine.
The whining will be about having to find the right Phillips screwdriver and that it’s not included…
… and glossy screens because obviously glossy screens have hindered Mac sales.
I’m surprised people are crying so much about the battery and not lack of optical drive or small HD. (which I cant figure out… If the MBA has the same HD as an ipod why not give it a 160gb option?)
IMO the battery isn’t a big deal at all.
ApplePi, I carry a second battery when flying. Otherwise, I must conduct the usual search for an outlet during layovers to recharge what’s in there. If you live in an area with the potential to lose power for maybe several days, an extra battery can also provide just that much extra work time.
3 minutes? Big freakin’ deal. No special tools? Whatever.
I can build my own PC and customize it any way I want. I don’t have to be locked into Apple’s proprietary system. I can install whatever graphics card I feel like and I can replace it at any time. I can pick whatever flavor of awesome Windows Vista I want, and I save money too. Hey MAC sheep, it’s a little thing us Windows enthusiasts like to call ‘choice’. Losers.
Your potential. Our passion.™
Okay, Zune Tang, that time I actually laughed at one of your posts. I knew it would be a small matter to replace the battery if it ever needed it.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
Hey Tang, go eat zune!
While you’re getting all of your fancy customizations working together, we Mac losers are actually getting work done. Yes, real work. Not gaming. Oh, you like to play games? We can do that too, since Macs run Windows faster than most PCs do.
Tom: If the MBA has the same HD as an ipod why not give it a 160gb option?
Because even the 160GB iPod is thicker than the 80GB one. The 160GB HD apparently just doesn’t fit in there.
I would expect, though, that the SSD capacities will continue to grow and the price come down. As long as the newer ones still have PATA, it should even be possible to ugrade the MBA.
So I forget: is Zune Tang® the real Zune Tang, or is it the other one? Nothing clever and lovable about that one.
MacGyver could do it one minute with a rubber band, a piece of gum and a paper clip and turn the MBA into a small nuclear device.
I built a PC two decades ago.
Should have called it the Halon. SOB caught on fire.
Running DOS. 8088. Pure dogmeat.
@ Ampar,
When did MacGyber go all terrorist on us? Did I miss that episode?
To MacDave: He just uses WMDs for good. That’s why he was never invaded.
“Running DOS. 8088. Pure dogmeat.”
A high tech device made of Schnauzer will burn if it’s not grounded correctly. Always make sure that you have properly screwed the pooch.
Ampar – close. Check out the latest “Joy of Tech”.
Peace.
That’s funny, Lurker_PC! Thanks!
Personally, I am stunned and shocked that Steve would allow such tackiness as exposed screws on this machine. :O
At least it has the breathing sleep light I so miss on my AL iMac.
quick, someone call whine-1-1 for a whambulance.
From what I’ve seen in dissecting the macbook air, this is definitely true. The only thing I would caution is that the screws are angled in, and the battery is an integral part of the structure of the unit.
I’m having some lovely whine with my lady…
..Merlot, 1992. Beautiful.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
Ampar: Could have been those dog-eared connectors.
@ Jamie
“1992. Beautiful.”
The wine, or the lady?
@Hg Wells: True that… I’d imagine there will be third party plug in batteries that connect to the mag-safe outlet… but then again… isn’t that proprietary?