Saturday 18 August 2012

Hot-Swappable Batteries for Workers on the Road

By Allyson Westcot


Extended-life batteries can make mobile professionals' lives a bit easier by offering longer uptime for their PCs. But they go beyond the PC case and increase the computer weight noticeably. Using the standard battery in a laptop computer makes the weight much lighter, but means a spare battery or 2 might be required solely to make it through the day if there's nowhere to plug the portable in for a charge.

Most mobile pros are in their automobiles or traveling while using their PCs, so the chance to plug in and charge when required might never present itself. Carrying spare batteries is a serious option to consider and something that many people have had to do for a long time. Not only does that mean that there are many more batteries to keep charged and keep track of, it implies more expense and more downtime.

The PC must be turned off to have the battery changed. Any open work must be saved, it's got to be powered down, the battery changed, then booted back up. When fast work is vital, this could slow an employee down incredibly, and could mean info loss if batteries get low enough to switch the system off.

Hot-swappable batteries can be swapped while they are hotâ€"they can be changed while the laptop is running. Rugged laptops that come with these batteries don't have to be turned off in order for the batteries to be switched. Not only do durable laptops generally come with batteries that already have exceptionally long running times, but with hot-swappable batteries they can be modified out in a matter of seconds with no down time at all.

A mobile salesman won't have to stop a display to a potential client while switching batteries, then start again. Insurance adjusters won't have to delay their work to switch batteries, most likely falling behind in their packed schedules. And in a bonus for sales professionals and other mobile employees, there's little worry about using up battery power when not required. A PC can get left on so it's at the ready anytime, an important element for those who may end up waiting before they can make their displays and sales pitches.




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