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Sun, Nov 08, 2009 - 08:55 AM EST  —  AAPL: 194.34 (+0.3099, +0.16%)  |  NASDAQ: 2112.44 (+7.12, +0.34%)

QuickerTek debuts extended battery for Apple MacBook Air; external pack adds 6-10 hours of power
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 03:00 PM EST

MacBook Air traveler? QuickerTek has launched an extended battery upgrade for Apple's MacBook Air. Users gain six to ten hours of additional battery power - beyond the battery life of the built-in battery. This is the only product that charges the MacBook Air while in use. It retails for US$299.95.

Since the MacBook Air has a non-removeable battery, the typical user strategy of using multiple batteries is not possible. QuickerTek had already developed battery charging technology for MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops, but those solutions did not charge AND power the computer at the same time. QuickerTek's MacBook Air External Battery powers and charges the internal battery while in use.

A total of 12 to 16 hours of Air use are possible when using the External Battery Charger from QuickerTek. Users know the external battery is working because the battery charge percentage in the menu bar stays at 100% for hours, before the internal battery is used. While the stock MacBook Air recharges in four hours using the AC wall adapter, the External Battery Charger recharges in only three hours. Styled to blend with your Apple equipment, the MacBook Air External Battery Charger is lightweight and good looking. This product should not be used with MacBooks or MacBook Pro models.

Specs:
• Physical: 5.5 x .5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Weight: 1.2lbs
• Battery: Li-ion Polymer
• 6 to 10 hours of extended use on MacBook Air
• Requires QuickerTek-modified MacBook Air power adapter
• LED charging status indicator

Customers can either send in their MacBook Air MagSafe power adapter for an upgrade ($25), or buy an already-upgraded MagSafe adapter for use with the MacBook Air External Battery Charger ($100). Either way, the magSafe is upgraded with military-spec parts for longer life. Compatibility with any MacBook Air is maintained.

Like most QuickerTek products, the MacBook Air External Battery Charger is backed with a one-year warranty on parts and labor. Additional product information is found here.

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May 13, 08 - 02:13 pm Comment from: Metryq

(Sigh.) Why is it that so many people just don't "get it"? Every time Apple turns out a product focussed to a particular group, sometimes cutting out features to reduce cost, some genius decides he'll get a good deal by purchasing the low cost item, then add the missing features to it himself! The MacBook Air is streamlined for traveling. A dangling battery is a slippery slope to defeating that purpose. I know, I'll get an external keyboard for my Palm Pilot!

May 13, 08 - 02:26 pm Comment from: Famous Grouse

The MB Air is for people who sit in business class, where most airlines provide power ports. Get used to it.

May 13, 08 - 02:29 pm Comment from: Lokheed

"the magSafe is upgraded with military-spec parts for longer life."

What exactly is "military spec parts?" I love these buzzwords that are never followed up with any real, tangible evidence.

May 13, 08 - 02:34 pm Comment from: Jay-Z

@ Metryq:

People who already carry an extra battery won't see this as an issue. It allows them to have the thinner laptop without sacrificing the extra battery time. It's nice to have the option.

May 13, 08 - 02:41 pm Comment from: shen

but i want an internal battery so that i have to power down to switch! this is just stupid! make it harder!

May 13, 08 - 02:48 pm Comment from: Demon

My Wife an I Travel extensively with MacBook Pro back to Powerbooks and have never carried extra batteries. The Air without a swappable battery would not be an issue, so I still don't see what the fuss is about. It's like my iPhone I've had lots of other cell phones and have never swapped out the battery, except for an old Motorola analog cell phone, I replaced the standard battery with an extended battery 1 hours of talk time and 6 hours of stand-by standard battery and 2.5 hours of talk time and 36 hours of stand-by, that was ages ago. The phones were huge bricks then.
Most airlines have put power outlets in all the seats for international fights and for longer flights. Unless your flying Livestock Airlines, were you're luck if the hand you a sack lunch upon boarding and make the passengers keep their livestock in a cage during the fight.

May 13, 08 - 02:49 pm Comment from: Glor

At $300 bucks (plus 25 or 100 for the adapter)!! Sorry, this is not an option, it's a rip off....


Glor

May 13, 08 - 02:54 pm Comment from: Fred Mertz

Lokheed,

I don't believe that you really love the buzzwords.

So there.

wink

May 13, 08 - 03:04 pm Comment from: Super Furry Animal

Where's the Optional Café Latte Maker with MagSafe adapter?

Travel right or stay home. Heathens.

May 13, 08 - 03:05 pm Comment from: Beryllium

"Military spec parts" is why the modified Magsafe costs $100. You know, like military spec screwdrivers for $900. grin

May 13, 08 - 03:09 pm Comment from: mas

I think it's pretty slick. As someone that carries an extra battery for my macbook on long flights, I don't see the downside of having to carry this thing with you. And you don't have to power down and swap batteries in the middle of the flight either.

May 13, 08 - 03:12 pm Comment from: Marc

Speaking as someone who traveled to Italy last year, I must disagree with the person who said that most international flights have power at every seat. The plan we were supposed to be on according to the ticket was a 767-400 which has fairly roomy seats and power at every seat. Sounds fine for an 8 hour flight doesn't it? Instead, we were on a 767-300 with far less comfortable seats, less legroom, and no place to plug in my laptop so that my wife and I could watch movies we actually wanted to see. In that instance, having some kind of extendo battery thing would have been quite handy. What I don't understand, is why they didn't design it as a very thin item that would fit under the MBA with just a little cable sticking out to plug into the power port...

May 13, 08 - 03:17 pm Comment from: ldrhawke

QuickerTek is not a company I would recommend dealing. Read their product warranty closely before buying anything from them. If their product fails, or does not work as described, their warranty is only a credit to buy other products from them. They will not refund your money even when they acknowledge the product doesn't work.

May 13, 08 - 03:24 pm Comment from: anthony007

Price seems prohibitive.

May 13, 08 - 03:39 pm Comment from: GizmoDan

Their webpage mentions "Requires QuickerTek-modified MacBook Air charger". I assume that this is an EXTRA cost that nobody mentioned.

May 13, 08 - 10:54 pm Comment from: walter ditherington

300 bucks.
Not going to sell many - kind of the 'zune' of the battery world.

300 bucks.
Fuggedabahtit.

May 14, 08 - 06:40 am Comment from: Afib

No self-respecting fanboi would buy any external accoutrement, This would destroy the sublime elegance and simplicity of his/her MBA and provide clear evidence that he/she made an inappropriate choice of notebook.

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/04/29/found-footage-thinkpad-macbook-air-parody/

May 14, 08 - 06:52 am Comment from: Perfect!

This is the exact product I need. After spending $3,000 for MBA $300 is a pittance. Now I won't be stuck with the world's thinest and prettiest brick after 3.5 hours of use.

Thank you, QuickerTek, now I can get power without having to spend minutes looking for my screwdriver and taking minutes of my time to loosen 19 srcews to access the battery when no power outlet is nearby

May 14, 08 - 07:45 am Comment from: Super Furry Animal

"Instead, we were on a 767-300 with far less comfortable seats, less legroom, and no place to plug in my laptop so that my wife and I could watch movies we actually wanted to see."

I hope you slapped your travel agent or was it William Shatner?

Jul 13, 08 - 11:14 pm Comment from: Catt

I placed my order for one and I can't wait to have it arrive!

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