Quote:
Originally Posted by Question Mark
If it only involved removing a few screws to get at the battery in order to replace it, that would be fine. However, that is not always the case.
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I'm thinking the same thing.
For the conversation around this subject apart from conspiracy theory I think there are cost saving factors driving the model.
1. Time to market. Designing a compartment in the case to access the battery is some engineering effort so it costs and it takes some time.
2. Space/size. Indeed the battery compartment adds some space if even a few millimeters.
3. Cost. Standalone battery have to have some circuit inside which will protect it from accidental short-circuit when it is outside the device, also it is the responsibility of the chip to prevent blow up during charge. This circuit makes it tiny bit bigger and more expensive not to mention that such battery require certification, which costs, to be admitted for sale.
The above costs can be divided by pre sale and post sale per unit. Of course the post sale costs are just peanuts and nobody will complain that his new gadget have to cost $105 instead of $100. The pre sale costs are just one time, but if you account for the risk that the device may not sell well or may not end in the market at all, they may be seen as huge.