This popular classic ThinkPad feature could return

[Redaktion]

External, expandable batteries have not been a thing on laptops for a while now. Maybe this feature could come back though: As our recent interview with a ThinkPad product manager about the new ThinkPad T14 Gen 7 revealed, Lenovo is thinking about this feature again.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/This-popular-classic-ThinkPad-feature-could-return.1265853.0.html

[Yellow Joe]

If external removable battery returns to certain Thinkpads such as T14 and T16, this would re-awaken the Thinkpad brand. A new wave of fans will be created.

[Jonathan Smith]

I don't understand the need for swappable batteries these days:

Nowadays, if your battery runs out too quickly and you're not near a power socket, you don't need to swap out the battery, you just plug in a portable battery into the USB-C port to charge it back up again.  And, crucially, that portable battery will work with any other laptop/smartphone/tablet that charges with a USB-C port.

In the days of swappable batteries when there wasn't USB-C charging, you couldn't do this.  And if you bought a 2nd battery for a machine, it was typically unique to that machine, resulting in more e-waste when you upgraded.

Furthermore, internal batteries in Thinkpads are easily replaceable.  So, if after two or three years the battery wear is getting a little high, you can easily open it up and replace the battery.

[ed666]

I don't understand the need for swappable batteries these days:

Nowadays, if your battery runs out too quickly and you're not near a power socket, you don't need to swap out the battery, you just plug in a portable battery into the USB-C port to charge it back up again.  And, crucially, that portable battery will work with any other laptop/smartphone/tablet that charges with a USB-C port.

In the days of swappable batteries when there wasn't USB-C charging, you couldn't do this.  And if you bought a 2nd battery for a machine, it was typically unique to that machine, resulting in more e-waste when you upgraded.

Furthermore, internal batteries in Thinkpads are easily replaceable.  So, if after two or three years the battery wear is getting a little high, you can easily open it up and replace the battery.

Because people want to keep their laptops. Batteries degrade over time. Making it easy to swap is better for the user. I have a 3 year old laptop that's runs fine but the battery lost capacity, needed a warranty claim to get it changed.

[N.]

If external removable battery returns to certain Thinkpads such as T14 and T16, this would re-awaken the Thinkpad brand. A new wave of fans will be created.

Unfortunately not! Removable batteries, which were NOT unique to lenovo, were just one of MANY features that made lenovo attractive to a certain group of users. Other features were: excellent port selection, reparability, excellent keyboard, durability. All of this is gone in 2026. No, lenovo have lost it, but that's the business model they selected and, from their viewpoint, it works, they flood the markets with (...) loads of junk, no different to (...) of junk from other 'brands'. They make the money, who cares about 'devoted users', nothing personal :)