Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Drib
I mean RIGHT NOW, why don't e-readers have replaceable batteries in the same sense that cell phones have them?
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I am absolutely aligned with the spirit. But I think the E-Ink display based devices I have do have replaceable batteries - just not as easily as «in the same sense that cell phones have them». And the - sensible - reason would be that replaceable batteries in telephones are there for frequent quick swap, while the batteries in tablets - especially in EPD e-readers - would be probably changed once every n years. Which makes it more sensible to lean towards the "lean design and harder battery replacement" direction of compromise for e-readers.
In fact, skimming through the thread, I do not seem to have found the actual point (if I missed the single post(s), stochastically this note is still valid). I myself have a telephone with a replaceable battery, and with strict convinction, refusing the alternative as unprofessional. But this is not because the battery wears out - in fact, I am still squeezing an incredible amount of life from the original 6 years old battery (really bewildering, also since it is the one I use during tethering). And it is not just because I normally use those with double capacity - thicker phone with charge lasting double (thank you, batteryupgrade.com). The main reason for having phones with replaceable batteries is that you do not want to be charge-drained at some point in the afternoon in the middle of a call, or looking for your destination as you drive, or whatever it is that you needed to do on your palm computer. To use a power bank is comparatively an unhealthy hack that should only be done in emergencies. The normal practice should be to swap batteries as the active one is low on charge.*
Now, while this practice and need is very understandable for high-use palm computers, especially radio equipped ones (phones etc.), it is not so for readers: if you drain the charge of an e-reader in days, before you spend hours with a power outlet, well I am surprised. Changing batteries against charge drain and changing batteries against hardware wear are different needs. One happens in theory less-than-daily and the other in theory more-than-yearly. When the latter happens, it is hardly critical to have the operation performed in seconds - you can take your time.
Nonetheless, I would like those batteries for tablets to be standardized. I never replaced one, so I am not sure about how easy it is to obtain a replacement.
*Oh, and by experience in our pages (with special regard to debates about displays for the outdoors), yes I know that some of the mates writing here always have spare power outlets in their pockets, and "mobility" to them is a very abstract concept, something you speak of but never live. Well: I know it is quaint, but imagine you are not at home, imagine there are no outlets around, no city really... Some have it exotic.