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Thread ID: 116893 2011-03-24 21:14:00 Why are laptop batteries so expensive? Nomad (952) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1189068 2011-03-24 21:14:00 Knowing that some laptops can be had for $399 or $699, batteries in NZ could cost up to $300 :eek:

Why are they so expensive, surely it cannot be R+D.

Bit like some laser printers I guess, ie., a Xerox or an HP printer even could be had for under or close to $100 and how much are the toners :rolleyes:

Doesn't make much sense buying a 2nd hand laptop does it and then assuming one needs to replace the battery after its high miles.
Nomad (952)
1189069 2011-03-24 23:13:00 They are made up of 18650 Lithium Ion cells, which I believe are also used in Tesla Roadster
I understand all the high quality Japanese cells go into laptop batteries and so forth
Maybe not enough Lithium..?
You can buy cheap 18650 cells from places like dealxtreme.com if you want
But yeah don't know really, maybe someone has more info?
forrest44 (754)
1189070 2011-03-25 00:05:00 Might depend on the laptop. Got a couple of generic Toshiba batteries asm spares for one of my laptops for about a $100ea from a place in Woolston a while back, cannot recall the name of the place, not there now, might have moved or out of business, they also did cellphone batteries and some used laptops and computer gear. PinoyKiw (9675)
1189071 2011-03-25 03:28:00 Try air-freighting a few Li-Po batteries. That's a big chunk of money added. R2x1 (4628)
1189072 2011-03-25 03:31:00 If you are not using your battery regularly, (ie running off mains power) remove it from the laptop, wrap it in glad wrap and place inside a sealed plastic bag and store it in your freezer. Zippity (58)
1189073 2011-03-25 05:47:00 I hate the whole battery industry. They love the tailor-made batteries, coz they know you've then got almost zero alternatives when you need a replacement, and consequently the price goes up.

Whenever possible I go for gear with generic types of batteries. Not really an option though with laptops.
Paul.Cov (425)
1189074 2011-03-25 05:56:00 I hate the whole battery industry. They love the tailor-made batteries, coz they know you've then got almost zero alternatives when you need a replacement, and consequently the price goes up.

Whenever possible I go for gear with generic types of batteries. Not really an option though with laptops.

the auction sites have them for sure :D
but i have been hesistant as i heard that some are the ones that failed the OEM tests ....
they are still not cheap like $100NZ here or $30-60US overseas.
Nomad (952)
1189075 2011-03-25 08:36:00 If you are not using your battery regularly, (ie running off mains power) remove it from the laptop, wrap it in glad wrap and place inside a sealed plastic bag and store it in your freezer.

Has this actually worked for you?
Cato (6936)
1189076 2011-03-25 08:50:00 If you are not using your battery regularly, (ie running off mains power) remove it from the laptop, wrap it in glad wrap and place inside a sealed plastic bag and store it in your freezer.
Eh?
And then "Whats up wif my fridge?". Also why doesn't my battery work?

In the fridge is fine at around 4 to 10 deg C - especially if the battery is at around 60% charge. In the freezer is not a good idea for more than 20 seconds or so. Frozen Li-Po batteries thaw as successfully as a frozen kitten. They only look the same, but they just don't function like they used to.
R2x1 (4628)
1189077 2011-03-25 09:04:00 Yes Zippity (58)
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