Laptops have to combine raw processing power, lightweight engineering, and high-quality finishes, to remain competitive these days. But the best laptop is the one that keeps on running, so here’s a quick look at those machines that have the most stamina when it comes to battery life:
Lenovo ThinkPad X230
The Lenovo ThinkPad X230 comes with a plethora of high-stamina battery options: from built-in, six-cell battery to a nine-cell battery – an additional sheet-battery can be paired with either of these. If configured correctly, a Lenovo ThinkPad X230 could be the best laptop for battery life available on the market today.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X230’s six-cell battery – the shortest lasting battery power option – already takes the 12-inch machine past the six-hour mark: to 6 hours and 15 minutes (according to tests by Engadget). The nine-cell battery – an optional extra – provides more than 12 hours of battery life.
When the Lenovo ThinkPad X230 is outfitted with a nine-cell battery and then paired with the optional sheet-battery, you get more than 20 hours of run-time. The sheet – or slice battery – is a six-cell energy source. According to Laptop magazine, this means the X230 currently the top choice for length of battery life.
Dell Latitude E6430
The Dell Latitude E6430 comes in an attractive ‘tri-metal’ casing that consists of a magnesium alloy frame, reinforced steel for hinges, and matte chrome for the laptop’s edges – or bumper. It is a workhorse of a machine. Among its virtues is a backlit, spill-resistant keyboard with highly tactile and responsive keys, and a soft-touch palm rest that’s been rated as one of the best laptop typing experiences available.
The Dell Latitude E6430’s stamina extends to battery life. When the optional nine-cell battery is outfitted, the Dell Latitude is capable of producing more than 10 hours of run-time: in Laptop magazine tests, it ran for 10 hours and 37 minutes. While this is some way off having the best battery life in its class – more than 13 hours – Laptop magazine, nevertheless, rates this ‘a strong performance’.
Sony VAIO SE
The Sony VAIO SE is a 15-inch laptop that doesn’t fit the usual thin-and-light mould. It’s a relatively full-bodied entrant – something we rarely see these days. It weighs 4.4 pounds or 1.99kg, making it far from the lightest laptop around; however, it still fares better than other options in its class – including a number of models from Dell and HP.
The Sony VAIO SE is pitched as a media-centric notebook for college students and other light users of technology who seek a balance between portability and power. But when it comes to battery life, it is a contender for best laptop. According to Laptop magazine, the VAIO lasted nearly five and a half hours with its built-in energy cells. With the optional sheet battery attached, its battery life almost doubled to 10 hours and 35 minutes.
