You do realize that Apple doesn't manufacture
its own batteries, right? Apple, like most consumer electronics companies, doesn't actually make anything. So where do Apple's new AA rechargeable NiMH batteries comes from then? We had a suspicion early on that Apple's "new" AAs were actually
Eneloops, long one of our favorite brands of modern rechargeables due to their ability to maintain a 75% charge even after three years inside the kitchen utility drawer. Now our Czech friends over at
Superapple seem to have confirmed this after an exhaustive teardown and analysis of Apple's little power cells. Specifically, Apple's AA batteries appear to be none other than the 1.2V
Sanyo Eneloop HR-3UTG rated at 1,900mAh (minimum). While
Superapple couldn't find any physical evidence linking the two, the measured performance characteristics of Apple's AA batteries matched the Eneloops perfectly. Knowing this, are you really going to spend $29 for the Apple charger and 6x AA batteries when you get 8x AA Eneloops and charger for the same price? Now mosey on past the break if you want to see a AA unrolled. Fascinating stuff.
[Thanks, Roman K.]
posted August 12th 2010 5:35AM
@spongebob92
Ok, wrong choice of words. When did Apple start SELLING batteries.
@spongebob92
Ok, wrong choice of words. When did Apple start SELLING batteries.
@spongebob92
Try clicking the blue colored text on the post next time.
@fais
The G4 was not designed or produced by Apple either. I don't get your whining, no consumer manufacturer designs and produces its own CPU's, GPU's, batteries or whatever, because specialized companies can do it better. The Apple A4 is an ARM core like many others, the 'designed by Apple' aspect of the chip is simply a few tweaks to the ARM core that Apple requested, such as taking out IP blocks that aren't used anyway.
I don't know why people are surprised by some marketing spin. What do you guys expect, that Apple announce new products saying 'hey guys, we've thrown together some run-of-the-mill parts into this new device that runs our software'? Every commercial company in existence tries to make their products look more special than others, and the ones that fail at it, they don't sell. Hardly suprising if you ask me, and nothing particular to Apple.
@drange
Believe it or not, some people actually believe that Apple actually makes every component of ever product they sell. I've seen it on this here site from time to time.
ibatteries?
@AlienSix
i_cell_out ?
@AlienSix Look what we invented: BATTERIES!!! Buy them now for DOUBLE WHOLESALE!!!
1900mAh for AA batteries is pretty poor these days!
@Marko These batteries can handle high draining devices. Generally when you use them they can get close to the older 2500mah batteries cause the voltage curve drops way slower.
@Marko eneloop barters longevity for sustainability. Thats what it is known for.
@Marko a higher retention of "energy" would yield less sustainability over a few months. Simply put, there made to last much longer when in stand by when a normal one will mostly drain out in a month without even using it. Perfect for low power devices like remotes mice and keyboards.
And the plot thickens...
@iPhoneOrAndroid
Cue the Dramatic Chipmunk!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Y73sPHKxw
@iPhoneOrAndroid ZZZZAAAAOOOOZZZZAAAA! !!!!!!
@zilla
It's a prairie dog, dammit!
Chipmunks are smaller and have stripes!
shock horror, is anyone surprised that apple charge more for the same product then another company.
This is so typical for Apple.. Buy less for more..
Jesus Fucking Christ!
I don't get what the big deal is. For the same price you get two fewer batteries, sure, but you GAIN an Apple logo. Seems like a decent trade-off to me. *sips latte from Starbucks*
@sonicyoof *Types away Smugly and leans back in leather sofa at Starbucks on the new MacBook Pro 17in. Then looks around.*
@Tito While we're stereotyping *boots into Ubuntu, wipes Cheeto dust covered fingers clean on decade old Linux shirt that is stretched over belly, strokes neckbeard reflectively, has never had sex in 45 years of life, is an Android user*
@sonicyoof
The funny thing is that you actually don't get an apple logo.
All you get are in my opinion quite ugly batteries without any useful information printed on them.
@Tres
They unlike you are making a joke. You're only attacking them downrank!
@sonicyoof You also get a charger that won't waste electricity when not in use.
Whether or not that's worth losing 2 batteries is up to the user.
But you can't blame Apple, they needto make a profit on these, and they do so by saving a few bucks.
@Protato Who cares? It's the internet.
They are magical
@appleipad Ur name is so magical. Upranked +1
ZZZZAAAOOOZZZAAA!!!!!!!
You may get less batteries but do the Sanyo's have the same low power technology of the Apple charger? That's the only reason I can see for the increased price. Oh and it looks purdy.
@iPhoneOrAndroid
Yes because the whole world was worried about battery chargers.
I mean it's not as if your large television in standby draws any power, or your game console, or your DVR etc. etc.
I don't know about the rest of you but I tend to unplug my charger when it's done. Not just leave it sat there indefinitely.
In addition you can buy a two-battery Eneloop charger for $13 with two batteries. Throw in another 4 and it's still only $20.
This is a product aimed at the most clueless weekend Apple shopper they have and based on the people I now see in the Apple Store, there are a lot of them.
Well, I thought the main seller is the non-vampire charger. Any sites doing tests on how these chargers compare with each other?
This changes everything..again?
@sapiens
This CHARGES everything... Again
anyone that is falling for apple propaganda has a week mind.
if you listen carefully you will notice that most of the things are only regarding apple products.
for example.
we have placed brand new processor that you have never seen in any other of apple products before. It's new intel i7 cpu.
or similar with ipad. things like that were ages before ipad they just weren't advertised and supported as much as apples.
same with those batteries. its something you have never seen before in apple products.... yeah but other companies had it ages ago. you just pay high street price for it.
Why the hell is it sold in packs of 6? I'm trying to think of the last time I needed 6 batteries, but not 4 or 8... a pair of Motorola talk-abouts is the only thing that comes to mind.
Maybe 2 in KB, 2 in mouse/trackpad, 2 in charger (not like you would want to have 2 more to put in a non-apple device)
@someguy7234
Jobs says you only need 6, so 6 is all you get. No batteries for you!!
@someguy7234 Two devices (mouse and keyboard), two batteries each, plus two charging.
@Pies
Yo what about my Magic Trackpad? It doesn't actually run on magic you know!
That's the ugliest derivative impossibly cool game changer in history.
The pedant in me will point out that Apple hasn't rebranded them but debranded them. Nothing on them says they are a Jobbie special.
For people who buy Apple products 6 v' 8 is never going to be an issue. People who don't still wont. All this is is an endorsement of the eneloops.
"doesn't actually make anything" is a lie. Apple makes good PR by getting it for free from the drooling masses and shills in the media who want to keep their exclusive first looks. It's always amazing that for all the exclusives that pop up prior to a launch nobody finds any flaws ever.
@Amusednow It a consperisee
But, but the charger! It's all in the charger....
....
Oh come on the Apple batteries are so worth the money i mean they have been pissed on no sorry i meant blessed by Steve Jobs for good karma and performance for the users he loves. Plus isn't there like a law that you can't use anything non Apple in an Apple product? and we all know iFans have more money then sense it's a prerequisite to buying into the Apple hype machine..
@Awall1987
You couldn't be more wrong if you tried i actually really liked the Dark Knight although what that has to do with these batteries is a mystery to me.
Never owned aviator sunglasses as am still using my original Oakley Titaniums which are over 10 yrs old which I'm guessing is nearly as old as you are or at least you appear to be.
As for a dorm room never had one not even 32 years ago when it would of been relevant obviously you never made it to further education as decided to be an Apple troll instead and defend them where ever and when ever you can on the Internet as that's your main priority in life it must suck to be you.
@Awall1987
Bit of a change for the Apple fanboys to be saying people who *don't* like Apple are "just trying to be cool" huh?
Of course they'll still buy the apple ones.
Apple tax and they don't even have an apple logo on them.
So what ? you think they have their own battery manufacturing plant ?
You think the black paint on the iphone 4 is apple paint ?
I reiterate "so what ... ? At least they're selling one of the best rechargeable that retains %75 percent of charge 3 years later and not some shoddy Chinese quick job from Wal*Mart.
@mindPlus
I think this issue has more to do with the fact that they are charging the customer more money for the same batteries. Had these batteries come out at the same price then it would have been no big deal. It's the whole Apple Tax and since these don't even have an Apple Logo on them you aren't even able to be smug about your batteries.
Been able to get a 4 pack of AA Eneloops at HH Greg for $7 for over a year now.
How about Engadget makes itself useful and actually tests the Apple charger against other chargers (like Eneloop) so that we know why Apple only called it revolutionary instead of magical? Have they lost faith in their own products? Does Apple charger suck less power?