Laptop users in the UK...Batteries?

[oxf]

Hi,

I'm at a point where I need to replace the battery in my laptop (Compaq) Sure they are a bit expensive but I'm wondering if anyone in the UK has any sugestions where I might look to get a good price?

Thanks

[Swagman]

Good question.

My mate needs a new battery for his Asus A4 laptop too.

[gn2]

Toshiba batteries (http://computers.shop.ebay.co.uk/Laptop-Accessories-/31530/i.html?LH_BIN=1&LH_PrefLoc=1&To%2520Fit%2520Brand=Toshiba&Condition=New&_nkw=toshiba%20laptop%20battery&_catref=1&_dmpt=UK_Computing_LaptopsAccessories_LaptopBatter ies&_fln=1&_sac=1&_sop=15&_ssov=1&_stpos=&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282&gbr=1)

Asus A4 batteries (http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?LH_PrefLoc=1&LH_BIN=1&_trkparms=65%253A15%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1&_nkw=asus%20a4%20battery&_dmpt=UK_Computing_LaptopsAccessories_LaptopBatter ies&_sc=1&_sop=15&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_stpos=&_fcid=3&gbr=1)

[afeasfaerw23231233]

Why not just replace the cells yourself? I have done this with several battery packs.
Such as this: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/579009962631/m/527009557831

Last time I replaced the 1800mAh cells with the sanyo 2600mAh one for a P4-M acer laptop. It still works very well. But many say the stupid (maybe smart?) protective circuit of IBM would lock the battery once the cells are removed since the voltage was detected as out of safty range. Luckily I didn't encounter one.

Be careful that the lithium cells would exploded in a terrible way if overheated. But if you are familiar with soldering work I think that's not a problem.

One extra benefit is that you can reuse the old cells as usually not all the cells are dead. I have a few of them for my torch and they perform even better than the trustfire 2000mAh!

[speedwell68]

Have a look in your local Yellow Pages or similar directory for battery specialists. In Cornwall we have the Cornwall Battery Centre, they can supply batteries for any application at all and have always been cheaper than anywhere else.

[oxf]

Why not just replace the cells yourself? I have done this with several battery packs.
Such as this: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/579009962631/m/527009557831

Last time I replaced the 1800mAh cells with the sanyo 2600mAh one for a P4-M acer laptop. It still works very well. But many say the stupid (maybe smart?) protective circuit of IBM would lock the battery once the cells are removed since the voltage was detected as out of safty range. Luckily I didn't encounter one.

Be careful that the lithium cells would exploded in a terrible way if overheated. But if you are familiar with soldering work I think that's not a problem.

One extra benefit is that you can reuse the old cells as usually not all the cells are dead. I have a few of them for my torch and they perform even better than the trustfire 2000mAh!

Hmm... interesting idea! I might give it a try. I do have reasonable experience with soldering/electronics so that should not be a problem. However, I always been careful messing with Li cells since they have such a strict charge/discharge regime. I will probably still buy a replacement though in case the "repaired" one fails me

[oldsoundguy]

not in the UK. In the US where we have an outfit called "Batteries Plus" with shops all over the country. They are the lowest priced walk in.

BUT, if I have time before the pack dies, I will go to eBay and get one from a Hong Kong dealer (since most batteries are made in China anyway). I can usually beat the walk in price by a wide margin.
Just pick a seller that has actually been selling the product for a while and has excellent feedback and his "stars" are almost 5 in a row!
(take some time to READ their feedback, also.)