BatteryBox Review

BatteryBox provides additional battery life to your MacBook Pro.

I’m sort of a battery fiend. I have so many external batteries and battery cases if you were to see my office, you would think I was a collector of some sort. The truth is that I’ve been in ‘that’ situation so many times where I am in a place that I drain my battery down to nothing and am no where near an electrical outlet. I just want to make sure I’m fully stocked and prepared for any situation. When I wait in line for new Apple products or at a convention like CES, I usually have two or three different battery options with me. The one type of battery I’ve been missing though is one that could keep my MacBook Pro alive. Thanks to Gbatteries, the maker of the BatteryBox, I now have that option and can extend my laptop battery life without the need of a power outlet.

The BatteryBox is a portable battery that can power MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptop models for several additional hours past their normal battery life. It’s in a package about the size of a soda can and is a remarkable piece of technology.

Most external battery packs are made to work with USB powered devices. They are usually designed with a MicroUSB port for power intake and a standard USB port for power output (5V) – or device charging. Many of the ones that I’ve encountered typically will recharge a mobile device, such as an iPhone or iPad, and still have power left. It all depends on the amount of mAh that is available in the battery pack itself. Before I received the BatteryBox, I had no other external battery pack options for recharging a MacBook Pro.

BatteryBox includes a special cable for powering MacBook models and an additional USB port for other device charging. It comes only in one color – carbon black – and weighs just under one pound. It has a built-in 60Wh battery that is composed of rechargeable lithium-polymer battery cells. What that means to the end user is:

• Up to 7.4 hrs extra for 13″ MacBook Pro
• Up to 13 hrs extra for 13″ MacBook Air
• Up to 80 hrs extra for iPhone 5s

BatteryBox features a unique option called BatteryOS, which is a new technology that controls the energy on the inside of existing lithium-ion batteries, enabling them to hold more capacity and keep working like brand new after many years. In fact, BatteryBox has a life that is 3X longer than other battery packs – approximately 3,000 more cycles. Plus, it uses Intelligent Output, which keeps the box from spending its energy unless it’s plugged into a device. And, it’s designed to protect against devices shorting out.

What really makes the BatteryBox special is its SnapFit Connector. This specially molded  piece is designed to fit over the power port of a MacBook. They have made these connectors to be compatible with modern MacBooks made after mid-2012. There are 4 included with the BatteryBox – each one compatible with a different MacBook model. You simple select the clip that is compatible with your model, attach it to the built-in cable and start charging. The clip is constructed from a blend of ABS, TPU, and Nylon materials. It’s extremely durable and easy to attach and detach. The SnapFit Connector is also designed to clip onto itself to assist with cable management.

Gbatteries created this special connector because the magnetic cable Apple designed for the charger is patented so only they can use it. The SnapFit Connector does not infringe on any intellectual property and is an easy to use method for connecting to the BatteryBox. Unfortunately, this connector and cable is permanently connected to the box and as such, it can become frayed or broken if not properly cared for. This is one thing I would love to see improved on in the future – a removable, replaceable cable for MacBook charging purposes.

BatteryBox is built to be as portable as possible and I believe it accomplishes its mission. It does take approximately 6 hours to charge completely and it has to be plugged in using an Apple iPad wall charger or other wall adapter. BatteryBox does not ship with its own wall charger adapter. I attempted charging it using a USB hub, but it did not work. There is also a nice five light LED power indicator on the top of the box that shows you when your box needs a recharge.

Something I really want to touch on is that the BatteryBox is designed to help maintain your battery’s health. It will power your laptop rather than charging it. Therefore, it prevents you from unneeded battery cycles. The charger bypasses the laptop’s built-in battery when it’s attached and uses up the BatteryBox’s charge before your laptop battery.

BatteryBox is the perfect accessory for any MacBook user on the go. Not only does it prolong your battery life, but it also gives you the opportunity to use your laptop and other devices longer when you aren’t near a power outlet.

BatteryBox retails for $219.95 and includes the BatteryBox, a USB cable for charging, the 4 SnapFit Connectors and the instruction manual. For more information, visit getbatterybox.com.