Why almost every laptop is missing this practical feature

The Schenker Connect 15, on the other hand, comes with a fully removable battery. To take it out, slide the right latch to the left position, then push the left latch to the right (it does not lock in place) while pulling the battery out using the notch at the top center. That's all there is to it.

Despite ongoing marketing campaigns centered around sustainability and despite the EU's right-to-repair regulations, a replaceable battery remains extremely rare. In the early days of laptops—and for many years afterward—it was completely standard, proving that sealed-in batteries are by no means a technical necessity.

Built-in batteries certainly save a bit of space and weight. However, for years the far greater benefit for manufacturers was likely that users with a failing battery would rather buy a new laptop than pay to have the internal battery professionally replaced—and that remains true today.

Beyond easier repairs, longer service life, and improved sustainability, replaceable batteries offer additional benefits. Anyone spending extended periods away from a power outlet can simply carry spare batteries and swap them once one runs out, effectively doubling the laptop's usable runtime. And when using the laptop at home while plugged in for extended periods, the battery can be removed altogether, reducing wear by avoiding continuous charging and discharging cycles.

This year, the Schenker Connect 15 is the first laptop with a replaceable battery that we have tested. The advantages are especially compelling for businesses: battery failures are easier to repair, potentially extending the lifespan of the devices considerably. As a result, the laptops become more sustainable, and carrying additional batteries allows employees to work longer away from a power source. We hope to see more laptops with replaceable batteries return in the future.