Travel Technology - Aftermarket laptop batteries?

I'd like an extended cap. battery (VGP-BPL2C) for my Sony SZ but I can't bring myself to spend the ~$300 for a new OEM one, or even the ~$180 on eBay for a used OEM one. I see there are many aftermarket ones for ~$75-80.

Are these reliable? Do any of you use aftermarket batteries in your laptops? Are they safe to use, meaning they won't f' up my computer? Any advice appreciated!

I've used them without any problems in older laptops (where there were no electronics in the battery pack talking to the computer). I never had problems in any greater proportion then with the OEM batteries. Occasionally the color of the case was off a bit, but that's not a real issue.

Again, I have not tried it on any brand new machine.

I really wouldn't. They won't mess up your machine (though they may report unreliable battery status information), but there have been so many cases of bad Li-Ion cells lately that I'd be more worried about personal safety than anything else.

That said; even original batteries have been known to catch fire :eek:

I agree though that the prices Sony charges for its batteries is downright rediculous.

Perhaps you'd be better off with an APC external battery pack for when you need some extra juice?

I really wouldn't. They won't mess up your machine (though they may report unreliable battery status information), but there have been so many cases of bad Li-Ion cells lately that I'd be more worried about personal safety than anything else.

That said; even original batteries have been known to catch fire :eek:

I agree though that the prices Sony charges for its batteries is downright rediculous.

Perhaps you'd be better off with an APC external battery pack for when you need some extra juice?

Yeah I'm pretty paranoid about something happening. Oh well, maybe I'll throw down some of my stimulus check towards the purchase of an extended cap. :D

The stupid thing about this is that when I first got the laptop (this time last year) I wound up buying a 2nd regular cap. battery on eBay for $80 in the spur of the moment, not knowing that I'd be much better off adding another 100 and getting the extended one....it's a total hassle to have to change batteries in between my 2 hour classes on T/Th

The regular battery gets me ~2 hours with wireless on and in total power saving mode (screen on low, etc). Without wireless I can finaggle ~3 hours out of it. I know nothing of the 4 hours that Sony claims... Maybe with everything off, screen at next-to-black, and no programs running, :confused:

I've used after-market batteries and they were fine. I've used Mr Battery, which seems to be a "brand name" after-market maker.

Funny thing, lots of fake OEM batteries out there that will overheat and/or catch fire but nobody seems to rip off the after-market guys.

APC also makes replacement batteries (non external). I've used them on Toshibas in the past and I would say they are more reputable than most of the others I've seen around. On the other hand, they aren't THAT cheap.

Avoid the completely generic ebay replacement batteries. I've tried various versions for laptops and cell phones and they don't seem to hold as long of a charge.

When my Sony SZ270P/C standard capacity battery stopped being recognized as being present in the laptop for the second time but was now in the extended warranty instead of the original 1 yr warranty, and the extended warranty refused to replace it, I tried to buy one from sonystyle.com but they were back ordered. I was wary of the sub $50 ebay and pricegrabber storefronts so I bought one from Batteries Plus. I was 1/2 the Sony price, Rayovac brand but identified by the notebook as a Sony battery. Excellent service from my local B&M Batteries Plus who did not have it in stock but had it shipped to me next day delivery.

Avoid the completely generic ebay replacement batteries. I've tried various versions for laptops and cell phones and they don't seem to hold as long of a charge.

Yeah upon further investigation it looks like many of this model on eBay are coming in at 6600/6800/7000mAh instead of the 7800 that the original has.

Anyone using non Apple replacement batteries for their Macs?

My MacBook is about a year and a half old, but I was wondering about my options when it's time for a new battery (though I will likely be wanting a new model!)

fuzz

Anyone using non Apple replacement batteries for their Macs?

My MacBook is about a year and a half old, but I was wondering about my options when it's time for a new battery (though I will likely be wanting a new model!)

I've seene some after market batteries for mac laptops BUT they tend to be bigger (fatter) then the OEM Apple bateries which was a dealbreaker for me. When buying afer market batteries, be cautious!

I've purchased Dell batteries from Kahlon and never had a problem. Usually much cheaper than buying from Dell.

That's strange. I can easily get 5.5+ hours on low screen brightness, everything disabled on my SZ340.

With wireless on and screen at mid-mid-low brightness, I usually get a bit more than 4 hours.

You might want to tweak around the power options, making sure that the processor is throttled down and stuff. And check for background tasks using cpu time unnecessarily.

Avoid the completely generic ebay replacement batteries. I've tried various versions for laptops and cell phones and they don't seem to hold as long of a charge.

fully agree...bought what was posted as an "OEM" battery for my wife's cell phone on ebay and it does not hold a charge as long as the 2.5 yr old original battery

The problem with the Sony not recognizing the battery isn't necessarily the battery. It's Sony, not allowing non-Sony batteries to be used. See this thread on notebookreview.com:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=20440