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Recomended AA batteries for MM, Keyboard

PracticalMac

PracticalMac

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jan 22, 2009
2,857
5,244
Houston, TX
Is it better to get regular alkaline batteries, or is the premium "Ultra" or "Ultimate" Lithium batteries worth the extra $$?

I have tried using rechargeable, but they top out about 1.4volts, while disposables do 1.6 volts, so I kept getting out of power (Lost Connection) issues on my MM.

Apple included the "Energizer Advanced" in my iMac's devices.
 
PracticalMac said:
Is it better to get regular alkaline batteries, or is the premium "Ultra" or "Ultimate" Lithium batteries worth the extra $$?

I have tried using rechargeable, but they top out about 1.4volts, while disposables do 1.6 volts, so I kept getting out of power (Lost Connection) issues on my MM.

Apple included the "Energizer Advanced" in my iMac's devices.
Click to expand...

I've been using the Apple rechargeable batteries for my Apple bluetooth keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad. I've never had a connection problem. I go weeks before needing to switch, and I never turn off the devices. They are always on and get heavy use (12+ hours a day).
 
As strange as it may sound, but your lost connection problems may have to do with the size of the batteries, not the voltage. Some batteries are a fraction shorter than others, causing lost connection. IIRC, there was a thread about this a while ago.

I have good experience with Sanyo Eneloop rechargable batteries. They loose very little charge when not in use.
 
I recommend Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables. I use them in my KB/Trackpad and have never had a disconnect. In fact they're so far in advance of any other battery that I use them for everything and have about 18 of them! They last months on a single charge.

They have some different kind of tech that makes them last much longer than normal rechargeable's and don't lose that charge if they're not used. I can charge up a set for my camera flash and leave them in my camera bag knowing they'll still have an almost 100% charge even if I don't use them for months, unlike every other rechargeable I've had that gradually discharge even if they're not being used. I've never had a rechargeable battery like it.
 
I also use Apple rechargeable and Sanyo Eneloops. Apple OEM's their batteries from Sanyo... and they are identical except for the branding.

Rechargeable batteries do not have as much capacity, so they do not last as long as disposables... but they are more economical.

BTW: It probably doesn't matter for kbd/mouse/trackpad... but for high current draw devices (ex: photo flash)... rechargeable batteries significantly out-perform alkaline. The critical element is not voltage (as you speculate). Rechargeable batteries have a much lower impedance... which is why they greatly outperform alkaline batteries in high current draw usages.

/Jim
 
I also use Eneloops in several Apple wireless keyboards, Magic Trackpads, and Magic Mouse. I also have a couple of Magic Mouse with the Mobee rechargeable battery pack and wireless proximity charging pad which makes recharging them much easier.


Awhile back there was a news item about a Apple patent which showed the wireless devices (keyboard, trackpad, mouse) being charged wirelessly from inductive coils in the bottom "chin" of the iMac. It would be nice if that would become a reality! :) :cool:


-howard
 
Mike in Kansas said:
I've been using the Apple rechargeable batteries for my Apple bluetooth keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad. I've never had a connection problem. I go weeks before needing to switch, and I never turn off the devices. They are always on and get heavy use (12+ hours a day).
Click to expand...

Do they get better with time?

I recently got a Magic Mouse, used up the inc batteries and now on the Apple rechargeable ones but they have only lasted about 2 weeks and are already down to 34%. I did notice after the first charge they only showed around 85% when I first put them in, and I had just charged them for the full time and the light had changed color. I have 4 more batteries in the Apple charger to try, not charged them yet. I was thinking of leaving the others and charging these again.
 
Yeah Apple keyboard and Magic Mouse are huge battery eaters (don't know about other brands). They're great and I like using them but it's normal for me to change batteries in the mouse every 2-3 weeks, keyboards last 1.5-2 months.

I have original Apple batteries as well as some rechargable Energizers but they have similar capacity.

Bluetooth 4.0 should work way better from what I've read. Honestly, all BT devices are real vampires (wireless headphones especially).
 
I use a mobee magic charger for my mouse. Just put it on the pad when you're not using it and it recharges. The second one they sent me works fine.
 
JustMartin said:
I use a mobee magic charger for my mouse. Just put it on the pad when you're not using it and it recharges. The second one they sent me works fine.
Click to expand...

Definitely the Mobee, no more swapping over batteries!

Matt
 
Lancer said:
Do they get better with time?

I recently got a Magic Mouse, used up the inc batteries and now on the Apple rechargeable ones but they have only lasted about 2 weeks and are already down to 34%. I did notice after the first charge they only showed around 85% when I first put them in, and I had just charged them for the full time and the light had changed color. I have 4 more batteries in the Apple charger to try, not charged them yet. I was thinking of leaving the others and charging these again.
Click to expand...

I'm getting around 3-4 weeks per charge in my MM (used ~12 hours a day and never turned off) and 2-3 months in my keyboard with the Apple batteries. I just added a trackpad, so will be adding 2 more batteries from a different vendor into my rotation. Be interesting to see how some of the other brands do. I have some Eneloops that I use for my camera flash, and some Energizers for our Wii controllers. Will probably try them before buying anything else.
 
Try eneloops or the Apple batteries. I believe they are the same, Apple just re-branded it. I have a lot of AA and AAA eneloops/apple batteries with some C & D capsules, it's pretty amazing how long they last.
 
... and yet one more vote for Sanyo Eneloops...

Nice battery, not expensive.
 
plymman said:
I recommend Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables. I use them in my KB/Trackpad and have never had a disconnect. In fact they're so far in advance of any other battery that I use them for everything and have about 18 of them! They last months on a single charge.

They have some different kind of tech that makes them last much longer than normal rechargeable's and don't lose that charge if they're not used. I can charge up a set for my camera flash and leave them in my camera bag knowing they'll still have an almost 100% charge even if I don't use them for months, unlike every other rechargeable I've had that gradually discharge even if they're not being used. I've never had a rechargeable battery like it.
Click to expand...

Interesting, considering Eneloops do not have as high a total mWh than many other NiMH I did not think they are as good.

Reviews are not as glowing as here, too.
 
I'll give the Apple ones a few cycles before being too worried about battery life, though I do have some Eneloops I could try later.
 
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