Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have a love/hate relationship with this brand. I also own their larger 18,000mAh product.
External batteries have been around for a long time. Most of them don't rise above the level of utilitarian industrial design. These Xpal batteries (the Energizer trademark is apparently licensed) are nicely designed, which sets them apart.
As batteries, they work well. Charge them the first time for 8 hours and thereafter for about 4 hours. You won't have to charge them often if you don't use them: lithium ion batteries like this hold their charge well.
The 8,000 mAh package is much more portable than its bigger brother, weighing in at 7.9 ounces. However, the powerbrick is almost larger than the battery and as almost as heavy, a consideration if you intend to carry it with you.
Cut Xpal's estimates of extended use times in half and yo have a pretty good idea of what you'll actually get. Enough juice to run your netbook for another 1.5 to 2 hours at a price lower than many manufacturer's replacement batteries. A lot of hours of extra time from your MP3 player or smartphone.
The battery has output ports for 5vDC for use with smartphones, MP3 players and similar devices. 12v and 19v outlets for netbooks and other heavier duty devices. You can charge a 5v and a higher voltage battery at the same time.
What's wrong with this picture? The company, Xpal. They say the give you two free tips a year, but their shipping charges are as much as you would pay for the tip and shipping from another vendor. Cheap trick. On this one, they claim to include a power tip for Samsung netbooks. Uh, according to the "tip finder" on their own website, none of the tips supplied with the unit will fit any Samsung netbook. Ka-ching, their cash register rings.
They claim to offer a three year warranty. Read the whole warranty and you learn that the battery cells themselves, the heart and soul of the unit are warrantied for only six months. Another cheap trick.
The cables supplied with the unit are very short, which isn't all that big a problem with this small unit. They feel cheap and may not last for a long time.
So, are these units worth it? Yes, if you catch them when they are on sale. Do that and you've scored a useful bargain for yourself.
Jerry
Click Here to see more reviews about: Energizer XP8000 Universal AC Adapter with External Battery for Laptops, Tablets, and More
The Energizer XP8000 is the only rechargeable portable power pack in the world for every Net Books, MIDs and mini notebooks. It is the size of a Blackberry phone - yet delivers plenty of power to finish your work, surf the web or watch a video! Get up to 3 extra hours of use out of your Net Book. Three power outputs allow you the flexibility to charge and power up to 3 devices simultaneously, like your iPod, Cell Phone and Net Book. The Energizer XP8000 comes with 6 cell phone tips, 9 Net Book Tips, iPod / iPhone tip, AC adapter, and carrying case. Simply plug your Energizer Power into your electronic device for emergency ENERGI. On The GO! Product also comes with FREE TIPS FOR LIFE. Visit www.xpalpower.com for more information.
