My initial reaction was no. Don’t get me wrong, I was impressed with the thin dimensions, the protections and battery it offered, and the nice black color.  What I began to realize, however, was that I did not really need my extra battery. As thin as it was, it was still thicker than a regular case, and I initially was always able to plug my phone into a charger before it ran out of battery.

But then everything changed. I realized that, with the battery, I could finally use my iPhone to its full potential. With the Juice Pack Air I never have to stop playing my favorite apps in order to save battery, or stop listening to my favorite songs because I needed to save battery. I could text, call, and email for as long as I wanted without worrying about running about of battery or even seeing that dreaded “10% battery remaining.” I can even say that the Juice Pack Air made my vacation better. I could use my Kindle app for longer, my family could play another game of pass and play “Life” on my Life Board Game app, and my iPhone could play the movies I wanted to watch and the music I wanted to listen to during of my 15+ hour plane rides.

Added bonuses to the Mophie Juice Pack Air are: the ability to sync and charge your phone without taking off the case, an array of colors to choose from (purple, black, white, red) and protection from damage to the iPhone.

One thing I have not addressed is the price tag of $79. While at first glance that seems like a steep price to pay for an extended battery, after some research I have concluded that if you are looking for a case that acts as an external battery there is nothing better at this time.

The juice pack air is small enough and powerful enough that I even plan on bringing mine to school. I will never have to worry about a dead phone again.

Click on the link below to purchase your own or to read more about the Mophie Juice Pack Air.

GadgetHigh Grade: A-

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GadgetGuy

Make sure to leave all of your comments below! And from all of us, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

First of all, for those who don’t know what these are, HyperMacs come in 4 different sizes 60/100/150/222 Wh, with prices from $199 to $499.  This is compared to the standard battery for MacBooks, which is much smaller (my 13” MacBook Pro has a 45Wh battery).  I have spent a few months with the 150Wh model and it has saved me on multiple occasions and rarely lets me down.

To make it easier this is going to be broken down into different types of high schoolers and who it would be ideal for:

The Traveler: For someone like me who travels for every holiday with my family, this has become the perfect accessory.  If you are part of any airlines sky miles program this is a no brainer, go out and buy this now.

The Frugal Buyer: If you are the type of person who is always looking for a bargain than you have no need for one of these.  As great as its features are, it definitely comes with a heavy price tag.

The Early Adopter: If you often find yourself waiting in line for new products and you have a few hundred dollars to throw around then why not, there aren’t many people who wouldn’t enjoy this luxury.

The Compact Mover: If you like to carry around your MacBook without having too heavy a load then the two higher end models are not for you.  They tend to be somewhat bulky but the two lower ends should fit fairly comfortably into most bags.

Pros: Sleek design, incredible functionality

Cons: High Prices

The GadgetHigh Grade: A-

For more information on the HyperMac please visit http://www.hypershop.com/HyperMac-External-MacBook-Battery-and-Car-Charger-s/91.htm

Ross Isdaner, Detroit Country Day School, MI