Hi,
When using Batch mode and set editable to popup then every request is sent as if batch is set to false. To replicate it using the batch editing example http://demos.telerik.com/kendo-ui/grid/editing
Click the Edit this example and change the editable property of the grid from true to "popup" and then add, edit or delete something and you will notice that the corresponding request is sent straight away.
Is this a bug?