Shane wrote:I can understand your concern, but batteries have come a long way over the years. Millions upon millions of portable devices like the iPhones, iPads, Nexus, HTC and many more devices are now using an internal, non user replaceable battery. The older Ni-Cad and Ni-mh batteries were bad about dying, and many of those devices has user changeable batteries. However with the newer Lithium-Ion and Lithium Polymer batteries, that mentality and manufacturing practice is fleeting.
We'll have an official repair cost shortly, but I'd estimate it around the $89 range.
Shane, was this reply intended for a different post?
I'm not going to complain about the 740 battery design; as a backup source of power, I think the battery will be fine for the projected life of the unit.
However, my opinion on Li-ion and Li-polymer batteries is not as rosy as yours. Yes, they're better than Ni-Cd and NiMH technologies, but they are absolutely not "forever batteries". I've got a pile of Li-ion cell phone batteries on the table that used to run my phone for 36+ hrs and now only 12ish. And I've replaced the Li-ion batteries in my 2009 laptop three times, now.
Cellphone manufacturers want and expect you to upgrade your phone in 1-2 years. A battery that still sorta works, but not quite as well as it used to, is convenient motivation for a customer to toss the phone and get a new one. As a bonus (for the manufacturer), once the battery degrades enough it's no longer useful as a hand-me-down phone for Mom or little Johnny, either. Planned obsolescence is alive and well in 2015!
I, and many others, continue to shun phones with non-replaceable batteries, for good reason.