Throughout the history of laptops, one thing that basically hasn’t changed all that much is the battery. It is the power source that makes your portable computer portable.
The vast majority of laptops use Lithium Ion (abbreviated Li-ion) batteries. Before that was nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and before that Nickel Cadmium (NiCd or NiCad).
For those wondering if NiCad batteries are still used in laptops, the answer is yes, but not as the primary power source. An example use of a NiCad would be used as the CMOS battery in a laptop.
Here are my tips for buying laptop batteries.
Tip 1. Never buy direct from the OEM.
If I were to buy a battery for my older Dell Inspiron 6000 direct from Dell, it would be easily over $100.
If I buy from eBay, it’s less than half the price.
In fact, I could get one for as low as $40 new.
Tip 2. If you can afford it, go for a 9-cell.
Most laptops have 6-cell and 9-cell types of batteries. The ones with more cells hold a longer charge. And yes, the 9′s are more expensive exactly for that reason.
Tip 3. Go for the lowest price possible.
There is absolutely no reason to spend any more than you have to on a replacement battery. As long as what you get comes from a reputable reseller and the battery is new on arrival, that’s all you should care about.
The only additional consideration is if the battery comes with a warranty. Most new ones carry a warranty of at least six months – and that’s more than enough time to find out whether or not it will hold a proper charge.
Need more juice?
If you need extra power beyond the battery, consider getting a universal notebook battery (external), such as the one made by APC.
Yes, it is universal and really works. If you’re mobile quite a bit, you’ll like it a lot.
Like what you read?
If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below:
I have a lot of old laptops that I use for differnt purposses. Mainly IBM T series.
What I have found is not all laptop batteries from third party sources are created equal. Some do not hold a charge as long as others and the bad thing is the cases do not fit in the laptop!
So when you buy a new battery for your laptop keep the reciept and check it out as soon as possible, be sure there is an iron clad return for the battery. The one I bought for my T-30 did not fit the laptop and when I tried to return it the web site I bought it from refused to take the return. Why? Because I opend the package!
Buyer beware…
Another thought is to look around your area and see if there are any services for rebuilding the battery you already have, my T-30 battery cost me $49 to have it rebuilt, half of the money I wasted on a battery that the case would not fit in to the laptop.
MHO…
Hi Dave,
on the previous comment there needs to be a NOT inserted in this line:
third party sources are created equal
I bought for my T-30 did not fit the laptop and when I tried to return it the web site I bought it from refused to take the return. Why? Because I opend the package!