How do I choose a laptop battery?

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  • October 24, 2017 at 9:59 pm #13062
    tadkatadka
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      @tadka
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      I’ve dusted off my Dell XPS M1330 so I can use it for car diagnostics but it needs a new battery. I’m guessing the battery tech has moved on a lot since I bought this laptop but how do I pick the best battery? There are some many for sale ranging from £11 to maybe £55 and more. Some say 5200mAh and cost £13 and some say 4200mAh and cost £35 or £55. What do I look for to make sure I get one that is good?

      October 25, 2017 at 5:54 am #13063
      PlaneManPlaneMan
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        @planeman
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        Reviews. Both the batteries and the seller.

        October 25, 2017 at 7:09 am #13065
        Ed PEd P
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          @edps
          Forumite Points: 39
          PlaneMan wrote:

          Reviews. Both the batteries and the seller.

          +1

          As PM says look for reviews. Many batteries are ‘smart’ and are integrated with the laptop’s power management system, so compatibility is the primary thing to look for, hence the need for good reviews for your laptop.

          October 25, 2017 at 12:10 pm #13070
          Wheels-Of-FireWheels-Of-Fire
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            @grahamdearsley
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            Yep reviews are the key

            Price is no real guide although a really cheap battery is probably rubish. Buying a branded battery from an unknown supplier is no help either because of the number of fakes.

            Buying an original battery direct from the manufacturer is mostly safe but they will charge you an arm and a leg and it may still have been sitting on a shelf for years.

            I tend to buy branded batteries from the likes of Maxell or duracell from well known suppliers but I still get caught out.

            Again. Reviews are the key

            October 25, 2017 at 4:04 pm #13076
            tadkatadka
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              @tadka
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              I was looking at the Duracell website and it’s about £50 and in the description it mentions “power-2” which I googled and it turns out it’s something to do with better quality materials or something. Never heard of it before but I think I might go for it.

              October 25, 2017 at 7:04 pm #13082
              Wheels-Of-FireWheels-Of-Fire
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                @grahamdearsley
                Forumite Points: 4

                I had not heard of 2-Power batteries either but I have looked into it and the plot thickins…

                Looks like 2-power is large independant manufacturer of compatible batteries and chargers amongst other things. They supply well known retailers like Currys and they claim their products are equal  to or better than the origanals with at least a 1 year warranty.

                The other thing is they also supply the company trading as Duracell direct which is not actually Duracell but a company paying to use their name !

                Anyway they seem to have good reviews so good luck ?

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