Question about notebook computers-battery life

[Big Dick McGee]

So it's finally gotten to the point where I'm doing a lot of business and personal travel, so I need to break down and buy a laptop computer. I'm going with Dell, since I love our desktop PC (we use them at my office as well), and their prices are very reasonable. Since the notebook will frankly be used as much for entertainment as for business productivity, I've decided to go with the following model: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/entnb_e1505?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs#

One question I have is about battery life. Most portable DVD players, even the high-end ones, give you 3 hours of battery life, tops. Most of my trips are 5 + hours, so I end up lugging around an extended battery, which weighs 5x the player and costs half as much. Any idea the battery life of a notebook like the Dell above? Can I get an extended battery if need be? What will most likely happen is I'll play DVDs for 2-3 hours, then use the notebook for business purposes the last 2 or so hours of the flight.

Thanks for any help you guys can give me!

 

[Ishcabittle]

Instead of playing a DVD in the drive (where the laser drains the battery) rip the DVD to a movie file and just watch it straight from the HD. That way you can bring more movies with you and you save space on the disks and the extra battery.

http://www.dvdtodivx.net/download.htm

 

[Big Dick McGee]

^^Hey, that's a GREAT idea! Most of my stuff is *ahem* acquired anyway. It's mostly tv shows I haven't had time to watch. An excellent idea!

BTW, I've seen some so-so reviews of that Dell, I'm gonna do a bit more research, but my wife gets 20% off on all Dell computers, so I am sort of married to the brand.

 

[missmanners]

Good luck getting more than an hour or two out of those batteries. My laptop has a 3 hour battery and I'm lucky to get one out of it while working. I carry along ac adaptors so I can run it in the car. Have you considered just getting a spare battery to carry along?


mm

 

[Big Dick McGee]

^^I'll probably do that. I need at least 3-4 hours of battery life while I fly. Like I said, all my trips are at least 5 hours.

 

[Ishcabittle]

... so I am sort of married to the brand.

lol i know that feeling. Hey, if you get 20% off, see if they offer an extended warranty and use the discount to buy that shit (spend the money you would have saved, anyway). Dells are pretty darn good, as far as I can tell from my customer base. The ones you want to avoid (according to how many I've had to repair/save/nuke) are HPs and Compaq. Especially Compaq. Lousy design, at least the models I've come in contact with.

 

[Big Dick McGee]

^^I'll never buy Compaq again. I made the mistake of buying a desktop after a lousy laptop, and the damn thing lasted 2 years before it got trashed. Meh.

Yeah, I'm very happy with my Dell PC at home, but I read 2 less-than-flattering reviews of the notebook I'm looking at. Still, it is only 2 reviews, and I think I'll take your advice and get the extended warranty and an extended battery to boot.