Apple's AA batteries are probably Sanyo Eneloops
We don't want to burst your bubble, but here's a hard fact: Apple doesn't manufacture the batteries that come with its recharger. In fact, they don't manufacture iPhones, iPads, iPods...you get the picture.That's why we're not surprised to learn that the AA batteries that ship with the charger come from a 3rd party. The folks at the website SuperApple have gone through the trouble (translation) of tearing them down. This is certainly the first AA battery teardown we've ever seen. What they found was that they're a near perfect match, both in construction and performance, to the Sanyo Eneloop HR-3UTG.
That's good news, as Engadget recently raved over those little buggers, claiming that they retained 70% of a charge after 3 years in a drawer. While it isn't news that Apple is using batteries not manufactured by their employee's hands, it's good to know that said batteries are of high quality.
[Via Engadget]
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We don't want to burst your bubble, but here's a hard fact: Apple doesn't manufacture the batteries that come with its recharger. In fact,...
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Duracell rebrands Eneloops for their precharged hybrids. You have to find the 1900 mAh ones with the white ring around the tip and made in Japan on the cell. These are referred to as Duraloops on candlepower forums and such. Apple's cells don't have the white tip, but they're the right amperage and origin.
Eneloops and gp are great but you need the right charger to really max out their potential. I use the powermax charger and get amazing life with my canon speedlights. I also forgot my 5d charger on a three week trip and used the eneloops in a battery grip the whole time. Great batteries.
Anyone know can the Apple charger (unofficially) charge AAA? You can buy some AAA envelops in Amazon for cheap, so it'd be a good deal.
August 13 2010 at 3:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyso, 3 years ago - someone put some of these batteries in a drawer and today found they still had 70% charge ?
August 13 2010 at 2:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAin't it magical?
August 13 2010 at 3:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhat a shocker! People complaining about Apple's prices. It's not like you were going to buy it anyway, so why waste your time complaining. You aren't being made to buy these products. You are being made to pay taxes to a wasteful government. Go complain about that and do some good. Otherwise, shut your hole.
August 13 2010 at 2:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply>It's not like you were going to buy it anyway
You're right, I was going to buy Sanyo's eneloop batteries in the first place for a lower price.
really? apple doesn't make the batteries? next, you're going to tell us apple doesn't go out and mine the aluminum for MBPs, minis and desktops... wait, could it be?
August 13 2010 at 2:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply1) Who cares in the first place? It's not like Steve Jobs handcrafts every iPad for the user. (or any of their hardware)
2) This article has been posted on seriously almost every single other tech/apple/whatever site for at least a day or two... why do you even bother?
In the UK the Sanyo Eneloop charger & 4 x AA batteries is £22 from amazon. The Apple charger with 6 x AA batteries is £25. Pretty much the same price.
August 13 2010 at 1:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyNeither does Microsoft manufacture keyboards and mice. Which I generally like, actually - I believe they are Logitech products, no?
August 13 2010 at 1:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhy are you always slower, TUAW...?
August 13 2010 at 1:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHahah. Very nice. Not mentioning the fact that there are actually more expensive than the 'original'...that's what you get with Apple. Stuff made buy others..only more expensive. Their policy can be seen quite nice in this example.
August 13 2010 at 1:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDifferent charger.
August 13 2010 at 1:28 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyApple's variant are the new batteries from Sanyo which are not available yet.
old eneloop (HR-3UTG / HR-4UTG)
new eneloop (HR-3UTGA / HR-4UTGA) (Apple)
1000 charging cycles (old eneloop)
1500 charging cycles (Apple)
85 % capacity after 1 year of storage (old eneloop)
75% capacity after 3 years of storage (Apple)
suitable for temperatures as low as -10°C (old eneloop)
suitable for temperatures as low as -20°C (Apple)
Plus a charger that's miles better than anything else on efficiency and minimized vampire draw, yea, it's not too bad really.
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TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
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