[TriLUG] Ot: getting replacement batteries for old laptops

[Mack.Joseph at epamail.epa.gov]

Joseph Mack PhD, High Performance Computing & Scientific Visualisation
LMIT, Supporting the EPA Research Triangle Park, NC 919-541-0007 Federal
Infrastructure Contact-Ravi Nair 919-541-5467 - nair.ravi at epa.gov,
Federal Visualization  Contact - Joe Retzer, Ph.D. 919-541-4190 -
retzer.joseph at epa.gov

I have several old laptops which are just as good at retrieving
e-mail and writing reports as the day I got them, so I just
keep replacing the batteries when they die.

Some of the replacement batteries have a good life-time (several
years) while others die in less than a year. The warrantee is
about a month so I can't return them when they die prematurely.

I'm trying to figure out where to get good batteries and why
some batteries are worthless. Were they built 10yrs ago and
have been sitting on the shelf waiting for me to buy them?
Were they low quality to start with? Should I go back to
the vendors whose batteries lasted a long time? Should I try
a new approach like throwing away the laptop when the battery
dies  ;-/

I've had good dealings with Batteries Plus, but their
replacment batteries are about double the price ($220,
rather than $130).

Anyone know why some batteries are good and others not,
and where I should buy replacements?

Thanks Joe