Which battery for a 3400?

1. Michael L Kankiewicz - 4 February 2004

   I need to get a new battery for my wife's trusty old 3400. Should I get a NiMH, or a Li-Ion? Which is better? What's the difference as far as how and when to charge or how far to run it down? They're both pretty cheap these days.

   Thanks,
   MK

2. G. Louie - 4 February 2004

   AFAIK, the 3400s all shipped with LiIon batts. Mine are. The NiMHs I think were cheaper alternatives or maybe made for the previous 5300 series, but with worse performance. The LiIons should run longer, if healthy.

3. rob shaw - 4 February 2004

   Li-Ion. I don't have the numbers, but I'd guess a Li-Ion powers a 3400 nearly twice as long. I get maybe 2 1/2 hours on a really old Li-Ion on a 3400, lucky to get 1 1/2 hours on a NiMH on a 1400.

   NiMH batteries last longer if kept discharged, and have to be "refreshed" occasionally by running them down. Li-Ion batteries last longer with a good charge, they're fine with the powerbook permanently plugged into the charger, no "refreshing" necessary.

   rob