Sanho HyperMac External MacBook Batteries

15.01.2010

Of course, different MacBook models require different amounts of power--the MacBook Air sips power, while the 17-inch MacBook Pro slurps it up. And results will depend in large part on the tasks you're performing while running off the battery. (Because my test was specifically designed to drain power quickly, most people will get considerably longer run times than those shown here.) But these numbers should give you a decent idea of how the HyperMac batteries compare both to a stock MacBook battery and to each other. And in that respect, the numbers are impressive, especially the performance of the MBP-100 and the MBP-150.

Sanho's HyperMac offerings are heavy--the largest weighs nearly five pounds--and expensive, at $200 to $500 (in part thanks to Apple's reluctance to license the MagSafe connector). And the HyperMac AC adapter is also chunkier than you'd expect given that these products are designed for the road warrior (though, as I noted above, you can leave your laptop's own AC charger at home, and by letting you charge other gadgets via USB, the HyperMac batteries let you leave behind the AC chargers for those devices, as well).

On the other hand, high-capacity batteries have always been heavy and relatively pricey, and the HyperMac models are sleeker and more attractive than most external power packs I've seen. Given that context, if you often find yourself in need of additional run time but out of reach of power outlets, Sanho's batteries offer impressive performance, good design and build quality, and--most important--a MagSafe connector.

Which to buy? Unless you need 10-plus hours of continuous run time--and are willing to carry around a five-pound battery to get it--I think the MBP-100 and MBP-150 are the most appealing of the four models, offering two to three times the run time of a stock MacBook while weighing just 1.6 and 2.4 pounds, respectively. (I would recommend the MBP-060 mainly for MacBook Air owners.) The MBP-100 will be especially appealing to those who, in the past, would have opted for a second Apple battery for their MacBook Pro: At $300, the MBP-100 is considerably more expensive than Apple's $129 battery, but it offers more juice, can also charge other devices via USB, and includes a dedicated car charger.