We here at MacTrast have been lucky enough to get our hands on a great accessory that is made for users who use both iOS devices, and have a late-model MacBook! The BatteryBox supplies enough portable energy that it can power a MacBook Air for 13 hours straight, or fully charge an iPhone 11 times!
The BatteryBox’s built-in technology allows for a 3000 battery cycle life, and it helps maintain your MacBook’s battery health. The BatteryBox charges via any standard USB charger, and it includes a charger and cable in the box.
The device connects to your mobile device in the same old boring way, via a built-in USB port that anyone can plug a Lightning or other USB charging cable into, but the way it connects to any MacBook made after mid-2012 is where it gets very interesting. The BatteryBox uses what they call a SnapFit connector.
As you may be aware, Apple is very protective of their MagSafe connector used to connect the the MacBook’s power source to the laptop itself. They have sued a company or two that has tried to copy the MagSafe. Since BatteryBox would rather use their money for something besides legal fees, they came up with the SnapFit connector.
The SnapFit connector makes use of one of 4 SnapFit clips, (supplied with the BatteryBox), each compatible with a different MacBook model. Select the clip compatible with your model, attach it to the built-in cable, and it’s ready-to-go. it makes an easy and secure connection to the MacBook, but doesn’t infringe any of those patents Apple is so protective of.
The BatteryBox doesn’t actually charge your MacBook’s battery, it instead powers the MacBook directly rather than charging it, keeping the battery at the same charge percentage. By bypassing the MacBook’s built-in battery, the BatteryBox minimizes the number of cycles on the internal battery, thereby prolonging it’s life.
The technology and design behind the BatteryBox is very cool, and we were excited to get a review sample from the fine folks behind the gadget, Gbatteries Energy Inc. We were even more excited when they said we could give the review sample away to one lucky reader when we finished with it.
Sadly, I was less than excited when I found that it wasn’t compatible with my ancient daily-use MacBook Pro. But, we are shipping the BatteryBox to a lucky young man you may know from his reviews on MacTrast, Mr. Ian Fuchs. Ian will run the BatteryBox through its paces, and we’ll have a review sometime in the very new future. I personally can’t wait to find out what Ian thinks of it.
Remember, after Ian is finished with his review, one lucky reader will be the recipient of one slightly used BatteryBox to keep his/her MacBook and iOS devices charged and running strong. Keep an eye on Twitter, and here at MacTrast for the review and more information.
The BatteryBox is available now, so if you don’t want to wait to win one, you can visit the batteryBox website, and get it for yourself for the paltry sum of $219.99. (Free Shipping in the U.S.)
