We’ve seen homemade 9-cell batteries for the MSI Wind before. But now it looks like a major battery maker is preparing to sell a 9-cell battery designed for the MSI Wind netbook. Sascha at Eee PC News.de got a tip from a source saying that the batteries could be available as soon as November.
While I haven’t put these batteries to the test yet (or even seen one in person), it stands to reason that they should provide 8 to 9 hours of battery life, since an MSI Wind with a 6-cell battery can operate for 5 to 6 hours under typical use.
No word on how much these batteries will cost, or how much they’ll weigh. They do seem to stick out a bit from the back of the computer which is all fine and well if you want to elevate the keyboard. But if you want your netbook to weigh less than 3 pounds, you might want to stick with a 3 or 6 cell battery.
And that’s exactly why “Macbook style” screen hinges aren’t optimal – one can place extended battery only below the machine; screen doesn’t allow it to protrude sideways out of the back.
Eees and Lenovo netbooks seem to allow this, though it still doesn’t look perfect for extended batteries in style of Thinpads X…
Based on information from the US/Canada distributor, the battery is supposed to be shipping to reviewers by the middle of October and to end users by the end of October (msiwind.net forums)