Would you buy a "one battery" iPad to save weight?

[bobob]

If there's one thing I can criticize about the iPad, it is it's weight - - it's pretty darn heavy for something you wield with one hand.

Having read that the iPad has two large battery cells inside which provide that amazing ten hour battery life, I started wondering whether I could get by on half that battery life if the iPad was significantly lighter. So I dug up the specs to see what the actual difference would be...

The wifi iPad weighs 1.5 pounds (24 oz), and according to the ifixit.com teardown, the whole battery weighs 5.22 oz (148g). Therefore removing half the battery (one of the cells) would decrease the weight of the iPad by 2.61 oz to a total of 21.39 oz or 1.34 pounds.

Doesn't sound like that much, but it is almost an 11% decrease in the weight, and when you consider the significance of any decrease in weight when it's levered out at the end of your arm, I think it's a valid consideration.

For me personally, I think I would take the lighter iPad. I guess I've been trained to recharge my iPhone every night so that I have enough battery life to get me through the next day, and that doesn't seem to be a burden. And with the iPad, I tend to use it more at home, so charging never seems to be an issue - - five solid hours would be more than enough, in trade for a 1.34 pound iPad, imho.

 

[pondie84]

No. The ipad is not heavy. I also rarely if ever hold it with one hand.

 

[mKTank]

I rather like the weight behind it. Makes it feel like a much more solid device. And I appreciate 10 hours of battery life. 5 hours is a joke.

 

[Ciclismo]

I think battery life is spot on (that's why I'm buying an iPad this weekend). Any shorter and it becomes impractical for me as I will be staring at its screen for extended periods each day (mandatory readings for uni etc.). Also, reducing its battery size would make it unusable for the "what ifs" such as road-trips, flights etc. I think any reduction in performance (e.g. battery life, processor, screen quality etc. etc.) would be a detrimental compromise.

 

[Kantosam]

It's weight is the reason I bought it!

I don't think Bobob will take offense here; I don't think my response is necessarily contradictory or adverse to his sentiments but -- I gotta tell you -- after three years with our MacBook, especially during travel, the weight of this thing is a dream! But, I get the concept that if you choose iPad soley as a sort-of hand-held device or to use as a "hand-held" device, yeah, it can get a bit heavy... Mine rests comfortably on a pillow on my lap as I type away in my living room.

 

[bobob]

I don't think Bobob will take offense here; I don't think my response is necessarily contradictory or adverse to his sentiments but -- I gotta tell you -- after three years with our MacBook, especially during travel, the weight of this thing is a dream! But, I get the concept that if you choose iPad soley as a sort-of hand-held device or to use as a "hand-held" device, yeah, it can get a bit heavy... Mine rests comfortably on a pillow on my lap as I type away in my living room.

No offense whatsoever! It's just a thought exercise.

(Though, I can't imagine that in five years if technology permits a one pound iPad, that many people will be adding an additional half pound weight to it just for old times sake... )

 

[EthanNixon]

I read for at least an hour a night with my iPad, and I hold it in one hand for that entire time. I may shift positions, but it always stays in my one hand.

If you cannot hold the iPad for 30 minutes in one hand, you need to do some serious evaluation about your physical condition. My mom, who is 55, can hold the iPad for a long time before she gets tired.

Would I like a lighter iPad, heck yes! Would I compromise half of the existing battery life for it, heck no!

Batteries will get better in due time.

 

[pelicanflip]

So you'd be willing to lose 50% of your battery life...for 11% of the weight? So every 1% of weight lost, you'd be sacrifing about 4.55% of your battery life capacity.

That's a abysmal trade ratio of battery life to weight. Seriously, a full bottle of water or soda weighs about 20 oz. An iPad is slightly heavier than that.

You're telling me that you can't hold the approximate weight of a full soda bottle in one hand, without getting tired? That's pitiful, absolutely pitiful. Get off your iPad and get some exercise.

 

[bobob]

Seriously, a full bottle of water or soda weighs about 20 oz. An iPad is slightly heavier than that.

You're telling me that you can't hold the approximate weight of a full soda bottle in one hand, without getting tired?

Hold that full soda bottle in one hand at arm's length for 10 hours and let me know if your arm gets tired.

 

[redscull]

I wish they'd make it just bigger enough to be a 1.6 widescreen aspect ratio like a computer, or 1.5 aspect ratio like the iPhone, and then maybe cram even more battery into it.

The only way less battery would be worth it is if the whole device got smaller. But they already have that. It's called the iPod Touch.

So my answer is No. If I were considering Yes, I'd get a touch, not an ipad.

 

[andiwm2003]

the ipad feels heavvy because it has no good way to hold it. the should make it less sleek and put in some grip molds or something to hold on. then the weight wouldn't be a problem.

but to answer the question: no, the battery life is more important than the weight.

 

[nixiemaiden]

I wish they'd make it just bigger enough to be a 1.6 widescreen aspect ratio like a computer, or 1.5 aspect ratio like the iPhone, and then maybe cram even more battery into it.

Widescreen would be hot.

And the weight doesn't bother me. I think your arm would be just as tired after 10 hours of holding out an ipad that only weighed 1 pound. Shoot if you just held your arms out for 10 hours holding nothing they would get tired. I don't think it would make enough of a difference to be worth it.

 

[Night Spring]

First thing I thought when I first held it is I wouldn't mind a shorter battery life if that would make it weigh less. However, I'm almost always in places where I can plug in and charge the iPad if needed. Considering the needs of people who are traveling or otherwise not able to plug in the iPad to recharge during the day, I suppose the current weight/battery life ratio is probably optimal for the greatest number of users. But I do hope battery technology will improve to the point where iPads can be a bit lighter. It's just a tad heavy for me to hold for long lengths of time.

 

[pelicanflip]

Hold that full soda bottle in one hand at arm's length for 10 hours and let me know if your arm gets tired.

I'm not trying to work out with my iPad, and I'm not trying to hold out my arms like a zombie either.

And why would you be holding anything for 10 hours straight, and why at arm's length?

And you still haven't addressed the loss of battery life. Like I said, I wouldn't trade half of my battery life capacity for only 11% of the weight.

 

[poloponies]

I'm not trying to work out with my iPad, and I'm not trying to hold out my arms like a zombie either.

And why would you be holding anything for 10 hours straight, and why at arm's length?

And you still haven't addressed the loss of battery life. Like I said, I wouldn't trade half of my battery life capacity for only 11% of the weight.

This whole thread is ridiculous. I've been using my iPad daily for months - for at least 3 hours a day (long commute 2 ways and then random use). The amount of time it's not in my lap or on a desk or tray is about 10 minutes a day. Even then I have a Marware Eco-Vue case with a handgrip which makes it very comfortable. I have yet to encounter a situation where I'm holding it anywhere near "arm's length" for more than a second or two. And nobody would buy a iPad with a 4-5 hour battery. More than doubling my MBA battery life is what made it a viable purchase.

Have people really run out of conversation starters? What next, "why rectangular? Who would prefer a trapezoidal iPad?"

 

[pelicanflip]

This whole thread is ridiculous. I've been using my iPad daily for months - for at least 3 hours a day (long commute 2 ways and then random use). The amount of time it's not in my lap or on a desk or tray is about 10 minutes a day. Even then I have a Marware Eco-Vue case with a handgrip which makes it very comfortable. I have yet to encounter a situation where I'm holding it anywhere near "arm's length" for more than a second or two. And nobody would buy a iPad with a 4-5 hour battery. More than doubling my MBA battery life is what made it a viable purchase.

Have people really run out of conversation starters? What next, "why rectangular? Who would prefer a trapezoidal iPad?"

seriously. "arm's length". seriously, who holds an iPad at arm's length? what, is it going to explode in a fiery mass like a bomb?

and who holds an iPad for 10 hours straight? what the hell could you possibly be doing, that requires you to be on your iPad for 10 hours, STRAIGHT.

 

[bobob]

And you still haven't addressed the loss of battery life. Like I said, I wouldn't trade half of my battery life capacity for only 11% of the weight.

I don't think that is a particularly unusual trade-off in the engineering of small electronics.

 

[Perihelion]

Battery life was the killer feature for me in buying the iPad. Wouldn't change it for the world...

 

[pelicanflip]

I don't think that is a particularly unusual trade-off in the engineering of small electronics.

Give me some examples then, cause I can't think of anything that loses 50% of its battery life in another model that's 11% lighter.

 

[TorontoLRT]

The battery life is one of my favorite things about the iPad. No way in hell would I sacrifice it for a little bit less weight.

 

[afireintonto]

Yeah I like the ipad as is. The battery life is a huge selling feature. I'm excited to see how the competition does with battery life.
I bet that the ipad will be the slimmest, weigh the least, and have the best battery life of all the pads / tablets once the market really gets some choice.

 

[j_maddison]

If you think the iPad is heavy, honestly you must either be a total wimp or have some sort of disability. Sorry to be so blunt, but goodness! if you were a frail 90 year old lady, I could understand that it might be a little to heavy to hold ofr a lengthy period, but c'mon people! For goodness sake it's not heavy

 

[Don Kosak]

At first I toyed with the thought of a "1 battery" iPad that would be light weight. As I use my iPad though, I've really gotten used to the weight.

Perhaps more importantly, I've used the iPad on so many flights, long (6-8 hour) client consulting gigs, and so on, where the 10 hour battery was a life-saver.

I think Apple made the right call with the current iPad.

 

[DifferentialApp]

I also like the weight of it. Kind of like how i liked the 1st gen ipod touch more than the 2nd gen. With the second gen, i HAD to have a case, or it would feel wayy too small

 

[andiwm2003]

If you think the iPad is heavy, honestly you must either be a total wimp or have some sort of disability. Sorry to be so blunt, but goodness! if you were a frail 90 year old lady, I could understand that it might be a little to heavy to hold ofr a lengthy period, but c'mon people! For goodness sake it's not heavy

Weird.Pretty much all reviewers said the iPad feels quite heavy. Pretty much everyone I know thinks the iPad is heavy. I think the I pad is heavy. I invite to to join me in the gym or on the mountains to compare our strength . Then lets see who is the wimp.......

There is no reason to attack the OP. He makes a valid point.

It seems however the majority of people here (including me) simply value the 10hr battery life way more than the potential weight reduction. I'm quite sure apple did lots of market research to end up with this weight/battery life ratio.

My prediction (without having any insider knowledge) is that Apple from now on keeps the battery life constant and starts to reduce weight if possible.