"Sammy" wrote in message
...
How does the capacity of a Duracell-brand AA cell (Duracell ordinary
or Duracell ultra) compare to one of the high-capacity NiMH cells (eg
2100 mAh)?


I am assuming, of course, that any applicance using the cells would
work down to the 1.2 volts of the NiMH.

Well, all questions of 'tea' left aside, this is what I've found out from
research/usage.

If you compare two 'fresh' batteries, one alkaline and one NiMH, you'll find
that the NiMH has a much higher capacity. But the NiMH *also* have a much
higher self-discharge rate. If the application uses power at anything like
the 20-hour discharge rate, the NiMH will win hands down. But if the
application is on the order of 'several-month' rate, the self-discharge of
the NiMH will be a bigger 'draw' on the battery capacity than the
application. So the alkaline battery wins.

daestrom
P.S. of course NiMH are rechargable, whereas alkaline are not.