C. Alex de Freitas

(The title is just making a fun reference to Jane Jacobs’ The Death and Life of Great American Cities. A book I’ve yet to (fully) read, but was reminded of by Lauren Archer at her blog, Her*itage and His*tory)

Aah, the battery. How many times on how many devices have I desired just that little more juice. Even as recently as last night, I thought I would just see if I can stretch my new(ish) phone’s battery to last two full days rather than plugging it in to charge after one with plenty of life still left. With my frequent web browsing, unfortuntely it didn’t last the race. You see, it died on me right as I was at my local bookstore struggling to load (on sketchy 3G) the Wikipedia entry on Hemingway to educate myself before I purchased one of his books.

But the reason for my post is not a complaint, rather, in the hope that you might rejoice with me. Recently I destroyed my beloved 9″ Aspire One. I was upset to say the least. Since getting my hands on a netbook late last year it has entirely changed the way I compute on the go. It used to always be a debate as to whether I cram my 14″ Dell into my backpack for computing on the go, only to receive approximately two hours of battery before it died and I was forced to seek out power (which usually means inside, away from all the bustle of the public!). I suppose unless you live somewhere where they have wireless benches! Haha.

Anyways, you see the point. My newfound freedom in a 9″ package let me peruse my emails at the cafe each morning, whip up Wikipedia whilst in the library in a jiffy, and sit comfortably in my bed reading bedtime stories (your blogs).  I was distraught. But in a stroke of luck, ok, many strokes, I managed to sell the broken 9″ for a good price and get my hands on the new 10″ version that had just been released THAT DAY. No kidding! I love my 10″. And the best part about it is, the extended 9 cell battery I had already purchased from ebay for the 9″ is totally compatible. The 9 cell battery is crazy. See for yourself:

Now, I know you can’t always believe the XP battery level monitor….and this battery usually gives me around 7-8hrs with general browsing etc….but isn’t it just something to look at anyway!?. Battery life vs portability is an issue that doesn’t seem as though it will be going away any time soon. But for the time being. I’m happy with my crappy 3 cell battery for when I want my netbook to be sexy, slim and sleek, but even more stoked on the aftermarket 9 cell! My netbook still weighs way less than Coralee’s macbook (and not to mention, is 2/3 the size), but it can get me through the day….to the cafe ….to the office….and home to type this blog again. There is definately a happy meduim…but tonight, I’m happiest with this hulking thing protruding from the rear of my Acer.

It will be perfect in the field. I’m thinking, NYC’s Bryant Park here . I shall be equipped with my trusty 9 Cell….and the slim 3 cell can sit in the bag pocket, as a 2hr bonus in the case of a battery emergency. Very smart.