ReviewsUMPC

Vaio UX180P extended battery: Part 1

In my 3-part UX180P standard battery review, I spent well over 100 hours charging/draining the included li-ion battery (VGP-BPS6) to basically just confirm Sony’s  stated rating of 2.5 hours. Now, thanks to the kindness of a reader known to many as Supp0rtLinux, I’m taking on the large capacity, or extended, battery (VGP-BPL6) to see if the company can be proven wrong.

The extended battery is compatible with the new UX280P and just so you know, it’s a monster.

Exbatt

Sony has given it an oddly specific estimated battery life of  5 to 9.52 hours, depending on usage. Based on my previous tests, I’m pretty certain that the lower number is accurate. But I won’t know for sure until I give it a try, so that’s what I’m setting out to do.  Actually, I’m in the midst of it right now.

The parameters are the same as last time, but this time around, I’m not running 40+ tests. In fact, I’m barely running a fourth of that.  I already learned the long way that variables such as enabling the wireless radios and playing files off of different sources don’t impact battery life, so I don’t need to re-learn the lesson.

Exbattflat

Comparison to standard battery
The biggest question about the extended battery, other than "It costs how much?" ($350), is usually about its physical size. Sony provides its dimensions, which are 2.68”(W) x 1.51”(H) x 3.02”(D), but nothing beats a round of comparison shots.

Comparisonfront Comparisonside

Basically, the extended battery is the hideously deformed (though more powerful) twin of the standard battery. Either that or it’s the standard battery with an Elvis-like hairdo. Appearances aside, however, the added bulge actually makes the device a bit more comfortable to hold.

Extendedfront Standardfront
Extendedside Standardside
Extendedside2 Standardside2
Extendedtop Standardtop
Extendedback Standardback

A common problem with add-on accessories is that they aren’t compatible with the included ones. I’m pleased to report that the extended battery is a rare exception.

Here it is with the port replicator.

Exbattdocked

And in the soft carrying case (compared to the standard battery on the right).

Extendedcase Standardcase
Extendedcase2 Standardcase2

So now you know how the extended battery looks. Find out how it performs here.

Pocketables does not accept targeted advertising, phony guest posts, paid reviews, etc. Help us keep this way with support on Patreon!
Become a patron at Patreon!

Jenn K. Lee

Jenn K. Lee is the founder of Pocketables. She loves gadgets the way most women love shoes and purses. The pieces in her tech wardrobe that go with everything are currently the Samsung Galaxy Note II, Sony Tablet P, and Nexus 7, but there are still a couple of vintage UMPCs/MIDs in the back of her closet.

More posts by Jenn | Subscribe to Jenn's posts

Avatar of Jenn K. Lee