A few weeks back, Chris wrote about a cool little product called the BatteryBox, which promised to deliver portable power for your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and any USB chargeable device. After getting my hands on the BatteryBox, it certainly does offer an impressive set of features that are hard to come by anywhere else. At the end of the review, we’ll tell you how you can win your own BatteryBox!
Overview
In the simplest form, BatteryBox ($219.99 at GetBatteryBox.com) is a 16,000mAh external battery (read: huge) that can deliver power to whatever device you may need. Whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, or something else, you can plug the USB cable into its USB port and charge the device over and over. What sets BatteryBox apart from other external batteries is its ability to also charge your Retina MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. To fully understand how BatteryBox works, check out the video below.
The BatteryBox can power the following Macs:
- 13″ Retina MacBook Pro – 7.4 hours of power
- 15″ Retina MacBook Pro – 5 hours of power
- 11″ MacBook Air – 12 hours of power
- 13″ MacBook Air – 13 hours of power
Some examples of charge time from the BatteryBox include:
- iPad Air – 22 hours
- iPad mini – 25 hours
- iPhone 6 – 75 hours
- Nexus 5 – 127 hours
- Galaxy S5 – up to 50 hours
Verdict [rating: 4]
The BatteryBox is a pretty remarkable piece of gear, and if the specs and science they promise are accurate, they’re on to some very cool things in the way of battery tech. Many of BatteryBox’s competitors either rely on modifications to Apple’s official charger or an attachment that connects to it. The BatteryBox is self-contained and easy to use. Weighing in at nearly 1 lb, it certainly isn’t a pocketable device, and could even be considered a bit cumbersome in a backpack, but if you’re planning to work in a remote area, or need the extra power when you’re unsure of the outlet situation, it’s a great option.
Pros:
- Prevents battery degradation of your MacBook’s battery
- Offers incredible juice for your USB-charged devices
- Works with all Mid-2012 and newer MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models
- Recharges faster than most other external batteries
- Designed to outlast other rechargeable Li-Ion batteries
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy (it is a large battery! But really – it’s quite hefty)
If you’re someone who needs to extend the battery life of your MacBook, and frequently find yourself without an outlet when you need one, the BatteryBox could definitely be for you! For more information, or to order a BatteryBox for just $219.99, visit the BatteryBox website.
WIN A BATTERYBOX!
The fine folks that offer the BatteryBox are being kind enough to allow us to giveaway the BatteryBox we reviewed. To enter for a chance to win your own BatteryBox, first make sure you’re following @MacTrast on Twitter, and then tweet the following to enter the giveaway!
I Just Entered to Win a #BatteryBox at @MacTrast – Portable Power for Your MacBook and Mobile Devices! Enter Here: http://wp.me/p1RFRs-xaA
We’ll run the giveaway from today, until Friday at 12 Noon, Central time. We’ll announce the winner on Friday afternoon. One entry tweet per account! Be sure to follow @MacTrast on Twitter, as we’ll notify the winner via Direct Message on Twitter!
