IBM T21 replacement batteries- worth the $$ ?

[findrivr]

I need to replace the original IBM LiION battery on my T21.
Has anyone here purchased an IBM replacement?

Are they better quality than aftermarket?

Do they have any special circuit or chip in them that aftermarkets might omit?

How about lifespan and run time comparisons with aftermarket?

Thanks for your time.
Patrick

[Jim Olson]

Patrick, I've purchased four non-IBM batteries for our family T21s from three different internet dealers. All appear to have been manufactured by the same Chinese company (not identified by branding on the battery) judging from the telltale tooling marks on the plastic molded parts.

The prices I've paid range from a high of $110 to as low as $80 per battery. Two of the four batteries died within two months of purchase. Two are still running with IBM-like capacities a year after purchase.

Basically their quality is poor, but given the high cost of real IBM batteries I'd keep buying the Chinese clones.

[findrivr]

Jim,
It sounds like you're at about a 50% success rate with the generics.
Based on that, I'm inclined to pay the xtra $$ and go with IBM. Coupled with the fact of likely no hassle exchange if battery is defective [though, now that they have sold the PC division, that may be different] and maybe good QC, I feel it would be a good gamble.
On the other hand, maybe they're having their batteries made off-shore anyway and just slapping the IBM logo on them to charge the xtra $$.
In the case of T2* batteries, IBM prices are anywhere from $149 to $163 [Panasonic or Sanyo]; not sure which is which though.

Well, I see that they're offering 600 series LiION's for $59 at their 'Clearance Corner'. I gave a relative my old 600x with a bad battery. I think a new IBM battery for his birthday would be a nice surprise.

One last q: Have you ever used the higher capacity T30 batteries in a T2*? There was a post from someone at this forum saying he had no problem on a trial run- no long term run though to really see if there were any neg. effects.
I figure if I'm going to spend money on genuine IBM parts, I may as well get the most bang for the buck.
Not sure though, still mulling it over- I'm good at being patient and checking all avenues before opening my wallet.
Thanks and I look forward to your or anyother comments/suggestions on this.
Patrick

[pae77]

I'm good at being patient and checking all avenues before opening my wallet.
Thanks and I look forward to your or anyother comments/suggestions on this.
Patrick

Amother avenue to check out is Ebay. Sometimes you can find new original IBM batteries from vendors that have good reputations at good prices.

[mysbca]

One last q: Have you ever used the higher capacity T30 batteries in a T2*? There was a post from someone at this forum saying he had no problem on a trial run- no long term run though to really see if there were any neg. effects.
I figure if I'm going to spend money on genuine IBM parts, I may as well get the most bang for the buck.

Did you read the link I've provided before? Someone ordered a T2x battery and the vendor sent him a T30 battery. Don't know which vendor, but sounds like it could be IBM. Maybe Cognacc can clarify if he sees this post.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=9172

By the way, I have been using an OEM T30 battery in my T23 for 5 months with no problems. Still have full charge capacity of 40.41Wh (out of 47.52 Wh design capacity) after 72 cycles. Still have more juice than a brand new T2x battery (38.8Wh). Battery cells are made by Panasonic.