Power bank for Surface Pro 4

02LyW on 29/06/2016 - 20:58

Hi,

I've recently bought the Surface Pro 4 4GB/i5/128GB from Harvey Norman (thanks to ShamelessBargains'post https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/254185 and d-hunterz's post https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/254021 for a great price).

I'm loving every aspect of it except the BATTERY, which is not great.

So, I'm looking for a cheap portable power bank.

So far, I've come up with

IDEO PB001L 11000mAh Power Bank - $59
http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/Power_&_Chargers/Power_Ba…
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/168553
The comments didn't shed a whole heap of light on the product. I've submitted a question to Scorptec about the output current because I know the Surface needs 12V @ 2.5amps. I'm still awaiting their reply. If it provides the right current, then I'd consider this a good choice.

OR, the alternative is a a power bank case and 18650 batteries:

AiLi 12V 16V 19V Output LED PC Mobile Power Bank - USD $18.03 = AUD$24.25
http://www.gearbest.com/chargers/pp_171638.html

and, batteries
Panasonic NCR18650B Rechargeable 3400mAh 3.7V 18650 Li-ion Batteries - USD $8.61 for 2, USD$25.83 for 6 = AUD $34.75
https://www.fasttech.com/products/1420/10001980/1141100-pana…

Total = $59 as well but for ~20,000mAh which is obviously better value. But can I trust this method? What are the chances that this will explode on me?

TLDR;
What should I get to charge my Surface Pro 4 on the go?? I'm thinking about value, safety and whether these will actually charge the Surface.

IDEO PB001L 11000mAh Power Bank - $59
or
AiLi PC Mobile Power Bank + Panasonic NCR18650B Rechargeable 3400mAh 3.7V 18650 Li-ion Batteries (20,000mAh)- $59
or
Suggestions from the masses?

Thanks

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Davo1111 on 29/06/2016 - 21:10

    you can charge a surface pro with a power bank? how?

  • CyberMurning on 29/06/2016 - 23:50

    Well hard to believe $25/30 battery pack can charge $1000 surface devices. Maybe buy something around $100 battery pack from reputable brand.

    • 02LyW on 30/06/2016 - 13:13

      You know what, this is wise advice. I think I'm caught up in the thrill of getting a good deal on the Surface that I'm probably trying to re-live it with an awesome power bank deal to go with it. Ozbargain syndrome

  • geek001 on 30/06/2016 - 11:09

    I have looked at this ever since I got my SP4 last year as I found that the battery life wasn't great for any real work. Best thing I found is to find somewhere in the shade and lowering the screen brightness. I managed to stretch the battery to last throughout the day. It is silly nowadays how devices are racing to be the thinnest, but users now have to the tethered permanently to powerbanks to be able to get any proper day use out of the devices.

    • 02LyW on 30/06/2016 - 13:17

      My problem is that I like having a bright screen. It's disappointing that I can't get a day's use out of it. But, I think carrying a power bank affords more freedom than plugging into a power point.

    • CyberMurning on 30/06/2016 - 17:17

      It's because human can't find better baterry technology, what human can is create something that uses less energy (albeit little only) but actually this is just masking the fact that battery technology is so old and poor.

      • geek001 on 30/06/2016 - 17:27

        Why not just keep the thickness the same as the previous release.. and make the battery bigger instead of trying to shave off milimetres off the thickness, which I probably won't notice anyway. Surely, battery life is now an hour longer is a better selling point than we have shaved 1 or 2 mm off the previous generation device? Sure, you may also say that the new device is now 100g lighter, but the thing is, now I have to carry around an extra power adapter/power bank which is probably 500g or more..

        • CyberMurning on 30/06/2016 - 17:31

          Not sure but I think majority people will wow the thinness than xx mins of extra baterry. The trend now is as thin as possible. Thinness is quantify the, baterry life is not. Each usage will affect the battery life but thickness remains

        • geek001 on 30/06/2016 - 17:55

          @eisniwre: Yea.. apologies if I come across grumpy. It's just me having a rant.

        • CyberMurning on 30/06/2016 - 18:59

          @geek001: nah, I'm pretty much the same. I winches when reading "Intel latest model low wattage processor! 2% more efficient! "

          yeah right. Why not fix the core problem, the baterry? No one can. Amazing.

        • shmahoo on 20/07/2016 - 09:19

          @eisniwre:
          Why not fix the core problem, the baterry? No one can.

          The Illuminati already have, but they are withholding the technology from you all.

        • CyberMurning on 20/07/2016 - 14:05

          @shmahoo: no worries i will give tom hanks more time to solve it

  • jlv632 on 23/07/2016 - 13:34

    Hi,

    I use the Comsol Laptop Battery which I got from Officeworks. It ran me $150 but if you search for the US company "Anker" and "20000 mAH", you will see that these are imported and just have the "Comsol" stamp on it. Comsol and Officework state don't use it with a Surface or MacBook but Anker's support forums say go for it :-)

    The reason you need to use this battery pack and nothing that is cheap (sub $50) is the Surface Pro needs a steady 12V charge and this unit can provide that. Most of the Pocket ones get nowhere near that.

    As for the Tips to hook up to a Surface (I have a Pro 3, not a Pro 4), the cost around $10 each and fit fine. The ebay item number I brought from was 291501969925 from seller "bg27cyf"

    For the record, my handywork can be seen here: https://twitter.com/1976charger/status/756693332441661440

    Good Luck. On average this pack for me charges my tablet 2+ times. Hard to tell as I normally just use it for top up and also do my phones at the same time off it.

    • benlaw2381 on 28/05/2018 - 19:39

      Hi Jlv632

      A bit late to the party on this one (about 2 years)

      I am also looking for a powerbank for the Surface Pro 4. I looked at your picture, but I have no idea how you connect that from your surface to the powerbank! Is there a special cord? Does it connect via USB to the Surface Power adapter cable recess?

      What would you suggest?

      Thank you

      Ben

      • drumrollplease on 04/11/2019 - 16:15

        Heyyy did you find out whether you need a special cord for it??

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