Original or Aftermarket Battery?

Message

ronbo613 · #1 Post by **ronbo613** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:08 pm

Are the batteries in aftermarket replacement batteries better than IBM originals, or is it best to stick with IBM branded batteries?

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:17 pm

Better, as in "lasts longer"? Possibly. But with the electronics that are built into the battery pack, it's probably best to stick with genuine IBM batteries unless you have a money-back guarantee. If IBM is still making/selling new packs with cells using the latest technology, then the amp-hour ratings should reflect that.

Then there's the "re-cellers" (sic) who take IBM packs, open them up and replace the depleted cells with new ones. Just stay away from the ones using Sony batteries

.

ronbo613 · #3 Post by **ronbo613** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:55 pm

I'm trying to decide between an "original" IBM branded model and an aftermarket battery. Both are 4400mAh. I'll be buying either one sight unseen, so I'm thinking the IBM branded one(even though it's probably a "bulk" or OEM model) might be a safer buy.
I thought perhaps the aftermarket replacement batteries might use better cells than the factory.

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:11 pm

If you are looking at the T30 battery then I believe the original batteries started out as 4000mAh but are now 4400mAh as you stated. If the price differential is large and the aftermarket battery has a money-back guarantee, I'd try that one. Run it through a couple of conditioning cycles and see how long it lasts. Make sure you can read the battery information using the IBM battery utility. If the price difference is not that much (i.e., < $5), go with the IBM battery.

The Spirit of X21 · #5 Post by **The Spirit of X21** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:18 pm

I have had a very good experience with batteryrefill.com. You send them your IBM battery and they swap out the old cells for fresh ones. It costs much less than buying a new IBM battery, though it does take a while for them to send the battery back to you.

jruschme · #6 Post by **jruschme** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:22 pm

The Spirit of X21 wrote:I have had a very good experience with batteryrefill.com. You send them your IBM battery and they swap out the old cells for fresh ones. It costs much less than buying a new IBM battery, though it does take a while for them to send the battery back to you.

Ditto on BatteryRefill.com. I don't know if they are still offering this, but when I went to refill my T20 battery, they we offering to pre-ship the refilled battery before you had to send in the dead one.

ronbo613 · #7 Post by **ronbo613** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:38 pm

I got an old one that's half dead, only lasts about 45 minutes. I'd like to have two so I can cycle them around, I'll check out the battery refill place.
Between all the video and digital cameras, flash units and computer crap I've got a room full of batteries. I think my truck battery is getting weak too. Energy crisis.

#8 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:45 pm

The Spirit of X21 wrote:<snip>... though it does take a while for them to send the battery back to you.

jruschme wrote:<snip>... they we offering to pre-ship the refilled battery before you had to send in the dead one.

Both services are available from them (batteryrefill.com), although I have only used their exchange service. The delivery time is about the only bad thing I've seen online about them. I have also previously posted about the "Frankenstein" look on the way they re-seal the battery. I would have used them for some recent T2x batteries except that I found a local seller that had low-cycle count and 85-90% capacity batteries in stock. At $70 for 4, I couldn't pass that up. They are on eBay as "xreplay" and "getgoingstores" and accept Best Offer on most of their inventory.

FunkyRes · #9 Post by **FunkyRes** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:11 pm

I went through batteryrefill.com and have had no issues.
Good guys.

nikki605 · #10 Post by **nikki605** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:29 am

Here's another option to consider. I bought a replacement battery last year from atbatt.com. It is an Amstron brand battery, rated at 4400mAh and has worked fine in the 6 months I've had it.

ronbo613 · #11 Post by **ronbo613** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:37 pm

That's covered all the options; original IBM battery(if you can find one), a rebuild; which by all accounts here seems to be a good road to take, especially if you have at least two batteries already so you can still have one while another is being rebuilt and an aftermarket replacement battery, which can be had a pretty good price, the only concern being the quality of the cells and circuitry(if "corners were cut" to achieve the cheap price).
How about a solar panel built into the Thinkpad lid?

FunkyRes · #12 Post by **FunkyRes** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:53 am

Just looked at batteryrefill.com

Right now for $52 they will refill your battery and send first, or for $59 they'll sell you one.

http://www.batteryrefill.com/laptops/ib ... 20_d.phtml

If I had a need for a second - I'd buy one, that's a decent price.

The only place I use my thinkpad for extended period where I am not guaranteed an outlet is the coffee shop, and my battery lasts for more than two 20 Oz lattes - so I don't need a second. But that's a good price.

Original or Aftermarket Battery?

Original or Aftermarket Battery?

Who is online