this post was submitted on 07 Jan 2026
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AI, in this case, refers to LLMs, GPT technology, and anything listed as "AI" meant to increase market valuations.
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I have an IBM ThinkPad R32, and even the original battery is still holding a 40ish minute charge. Things used to be built to last. Not so much anymore.
This battery phenomenon actually boggles my mind, if somebody knows what's going on and is willing to help clarify.
Lithium batteries are lithium batteries. They all degrade over time and with cycle count, nothing manufacturers can do about it.
But why are lithium batteries from the GameBoy Advance still capable of holding a charge today, and why you can find old power sucking laptops with original batteries that at least hold charge for an hour, but modern lithium batteries simply die after three years?
Part of this is the charge controller on the battery, the other part is the cheap components of the battery.
When the lithium battery degrades to a certain point (or on a set schedule), the controller just stops the charge. This is not usually done in malice, though. The other components are cheaper quality (because it's cheaper to manufacture), so controlling the charge at a certain point helps avoid a fire (and a lawsuit).
Back in the R32 and GBA days, batteries were built with better components, so the charge controller didn't need to be so aggressive. Therefore, they still work to some capacity.
I have a Thinkpad T430 and the original battery still gets me through a 3 hour lecture at school no problem.
I have a way newer HP ProBook 455 G7 but I rather use the Thinkpad if I don't need the power