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Question

Battery Upgrade a Necessity?

Aug 30, 2017 12:37PM PDT

Hello. I will be ordering a new laptop very soon, possibly even tonight. I am choosing between a similar machine from one of two companies. If anyone knows, will you please tell me if the following processor requires a 4-cell battery, over a 3-cell battery?

"AMD Quad-Core A12-9720P APU (2.7GHz, up to 3.6GHz burst frequency, 2 MB cache)+AMD Radeon™ 530 Graphics (4GB dedicated memory)"

The first website required I upgrade the battery, in my customization process, when I chose the A12. The upgrade to a 4-cell battery is only $10.00, so I won't lose sleep over that part of things.

I want to know, however, if it may be a question of negatively impacting my computer in some way and/or its (3-cell) battery needing replaced more often than a 4-cell might.

The second company says: "The AMD A12 does not have a special requirement for battery it will work with both 3 and 4 cell battery." If I purchase their laptop, it will come with a 3-cell, unless I request and get a 4-cell installed (if they offer one).

I will watch for replies. Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
No sale, why?
Aug 30, 2017 12:44PM PDT

The web site told you required this but the seller, site and maker did not answer your pre-sale question. This means their after sale support is likely to be even worse.

Frankly I don't see such customizing today since all these are best bought in bog standard configurations.

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Battery Upgrade Necessary?
Aug 30, 2017 1:10PM PDT

I prefer to choose the build of my computer, when possible. Plus through lengthy searching, in-stores and online, I haven't found the things I want, in a pre-built machine, at a price I can afford or am willing to pay, when I don't need to. It's just a matter of personal preference.

I spoke to a representative from the company that required the upgrade to the 4-cell battery, as I chose my customizations/the build of my computer. He said the upgrade to the A12 needs the 4-cell battery, over a 3-cell battery. I was jumping the computer from a much simpler processor and graphics, to the upgraded one I chose. See below.

Before Upgrade: AMD Dual-Core A9-9420 APU (3 GHz, up to 3.6 GHz burst frequency, 1 MB cache) + AMD Radeon™ R5 Graphics

Following Upgrade: "AMD Quad-Core A12-9720P APU (2.7GHz, up to 3.6GHz burst frequency, 2 MB cache)+AMD Radeon™ 530 Graphics (4GB dedicated memory)"

I need to know if a 3-cell battery will negatively impact a computer with that processor/graphics upgrade, or need to be replaced more often than a 4-cell. Thank you to anyone replying. Happy

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It appears they won't answer your question.
Aug 30, 2017 1:16PM PDT

So this means their pre-sales failed. The reason is most likely technical as in some company or design engineer spec. My thought here is it that was the simplest reason. Life span.

For example if the smaller battery can be easily cycled more than say 300 times in the 1 year warranty, moving to the 4 cell could keep warranty claims down.

I'm just an electronics designer of many things so this is one of the likely reasons. There should be no performance impact unless you think of performance to include battery pack life span.

Even so, this company failed to answer. To me this is a no-sale, don't go there situation.

Post was last edited on August 30, 2017 1:20 PM PDT

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willing to bet
Aug 30, 2017 1:47PM PDT

the 3 cell would drain too fast with the hardware upgrade. you need the 4 cell for decent battery usage.