I recently downloaded some movies to watch on the train.  But my battery life sucks.  I’m getting around 1:15.  The battery is still the original one after 3 years, so I’m guessing this is the problem.

Between 1.40 under heavy load and up to 2.30 if I shut everything I don’t need (without wifi, screen as dim as possible, ...)

I bought another battery of ebay but got refunded since the seller couldn’t get them anymore :/

I’m getting more then two hours with wifi and full brightness. I recently bought a refurbished battery for it, and that works fine.

I am getting around the same as you guys. I wish Sony had an extended battery for that VAIO… I wonder if any of the TZ batteries will fit, as they look kinda similar.
I got a couple of brand new VAIO X505 batteries, so if you guys need an extra one, let me know via PM or email. L8er!
Stan

Same here. I rotate between my original and my secondary so they both get the same amount of use. The most I get (wifi off/lcd low) is a bit less then three hours.

I haven’t used the SSD long enough to see if it helps battery life.

Erik

I never paid attention until this thread, but my spare battery (non Sony) won’t charge past 80% now.

Has anyone tired one of those “Universal” Notebook batteries that are external? They are supposed to give you close to 3 or 4 hours of extra battery life, but they are pretty big (compared to the X) and rather heavy I believe.

I really wouldn’t use something like that unless your on a long flight.

Erik

Has anyone tried to open the battery & change the cells? Erik?

The battery (based on dimension) should have 3 standard 18650 cells.
All x505 batteries I have seen on eBay (Sony & 3rd party) have 2000 or 2200mAh cells, which indicates they are old stock (or made of old technology/poor quality cells). Official shelf life for (new) Li-Ion batteries is I think 3 years, after which (a newer used, brand new) battery can suffer capacity degradation down to 80% of original capacity (due to Li chemistry; Li being a very aggressive element)
Since this is/was a high end computer, I can’t understand why Sony did not install 2400mAh cells, which became a standard back in 2004.

Aslo, since 2006 Sony is mass producing 2600mAh cells. You can get the 2600mAh cells (LG or Samsung branded) on eBay for $6 or €6, so for $/€18 + some work you should (in theory at least) have a “brand new” 2600mAh battery which should last 20-30% longer than new (original) battery.

Yet another story are the elusive Panasonic 2900mAh cells - mass produced since 2007, newer seen them anywhere thou…

BTW: my first x505 is in the post, so I am looking forward to start playing

Some warning labels I follow…those on batteries, strictly. I don’t open them to change cells…I’m not all that hands on with exploding items.

Funny thing, after a hard shutdown, the second battery allows me to charge again to 100%.

Erik