Cons to buying a non-branded laptop battery

[UDT89]

i have a HP dv2000 and the battery went about 6 months ago. every time the plug gets stuck on something and unplugs the computer powers off. it doesnt happen often but when it does its not good, obviously.

the replacement battery is expensive. i want the 12 cell and its $149 usually but I can get it for $119 with a rebate currently.

Is it bad to buy one that is on ebay for half that? I feel, from reviews of the battery, I will be replacing this battery every 14 months......which is accurate to my case as well. And with the current price of "decent" laptop deals going for $300-$500 I'd rather buy a new toy every two years than a battery.

Opinions?

 

[amdhunter]

I've ordered a few BTI replacement batteries from Govconnection at work. Maybe you should give them a try? PC Connection

I've had great luck with the BTI batteries. You can also have PC Connection order the part directly from HP at post-rebate prices.

 

[irishScott]

If you buy a used battery, it won't last as long as a new one.

/thread

 

[TruePaige]

The only con is you won't piss away a lot of money.

Oh wait that's not a con.

 

[alkemyst]

idiots should always buy new, the smart know how to buy used.

 

[Clair de Lune]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
idiots should always buy new, the smart know how to buy used.

your dad should've used a new one. zing!

 

[KevinCU]

Originally posted by: Clair de Lune

Originally posted by: alkemyst
idiots should always buy new, the smart know how to buy used.

your dad should've used a new one. zing!

"zing"ing your own post... How lame.

 

[paulney]

I bought a Dell battery from eBay for peanuts compared to what Dell was offering through official channels.
My guess is, it's the same battery Dell would have sent me, just direct from the manufacturing facility in China (as in - it fell off the conveyor belt and was smuggled outside the factory).

Edit: forgot to add: it works like a champ.

 

[KLin]

http://forums.anandtech.com/ca...tid=51&flcache=3387251

 

[nerp]

I've had no problems with generic batteries. The biggest issue I've ever dealt with is something that isn't quite flush with the laptop itself and doesn't have a perfect fit like the authentic ones. But otherwise, the batteries have worked great for me and, in some cases, provided much more power than a new branded battery.

 

[Skeeedunt]

I was always afraid that an off-brand chinese knock-off would explode in a chemical fire in my lap. Most of them probably work fine though.

When I was looking for Dell batteries on ebay, seemed like you could get a supposedly authentic Dell OEM unit for only a bit more than the fake ones (still a lot less than Dell retail price). Never figured out if they were real though.

 

[RU482]

most of the time, buy from the 2nd cheapest source. That's what the 3rd+ more expensive sources do, and then mark up the price

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: RU482
most of the time, buy from the 2nd cheapest source. That's what the 3rd+ more expensive sources do, and then mark up the price

Why 2nd cheapest?

 

[UDT89]

Originally posted by: irishScott
If you buy a used battery, it won't last as long as a new one.

/thread

i didnt say used.

/your life

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: UDT89

Originally posted by: irishScott
If you buy a used battery, it won't last as long as a new one.

/thread

i didnt say used.

/your life

fail.

The statement is perfectly true.

Also you said buy off ebay. Read between the lines...

 

[nerp]

Many of the shops selling generic batteries are selling them new. They actually overpower the used sellers by a huge margin. When I browse for batteries on Ebay I see a lot more new ones for sale than used, that's for sure.

 

[UDT89]

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb

Originally posted by: UDT89

Originally posted by: irishScott
If you buy a used battery, it won't last as long as a new one.

/thread

i didnt say used.

/your life

fail.

The statement is perfectly true.

Also you said buy off ebay. Read between the lines...

read the thread title.......the thing most people read upon entering a thread. Plus I was poking fun at his humor not being 100% serious.

annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd.........i didnt say the statement was false..........sooooooooooo

/your life too.