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Long time laptop users...Battery life potential???

post #1 of 10
2/8/04 at 7:16pm
Thread Starter 
Hey everyone.

I'm looking at the Gateway 505x or the Emachines 6805/6807 and was wondering about battery life probability. This all comes down to the warranty really. At Best Buy the salesmen there keep trying to pump up their extended warranty due to the fact that I can replace any bad battery for the full three years of the warranty. They act like laptop batteries go bad at least once per year and that because of that the $300 warranty is worth it for battery coverage alone.

I've never had a laptop. When I use it at work, (1 every 3 days - firefighter schedule) I'll be using the wall/ac outlet. The only real battery use I see will be when my wife and I do regular internet surfing...etc the other 2 of 3 days. Battery usage will probably be 2 - 4 hours every 3 days.

So...do laptop batteries really go bad that often? I know that to buy a new one it is around $100. Also, does anyone know what kind of coverage I would get with the Gateway extended warranty? Yes, I do have a Gateway store w/in a 20 minute drive.

thanks everyone
Jack
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post #2 of 10
2/9/04 at 8:38am
Thread Starter 
bump
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post #3 of 10
2/11/04 at 12:29am
Thread Starter 

Anyone? Anyone?

No answers from anyone? Please???

Thanks
jack
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post #4 of 10
2/11/04 at 2:11am
no answers cuz you're in the wrong section.... try the gateway/emachines section...
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post #5 of 10
2/12/04 at 12:11am
Thread Starter 

Wrong section?

How can I be in the wrong section when I'm asking how long laptop batteries in general last? I'm looking at buying the Gateway or Emachines, but asking about laptop batteries. Sounds like a "general laptop" question to me.
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post #6 of 10
2/12/04 at 1:08am
well, mostly meant it that you may get a more accurate answer there since those are the laptops you're looking at.

there's big batteries, small batteries, 6cell lithos, 8celllithos, laptops that use 1 battery, some take 2, depending on screen, processor, wireless, drives, basically everything effects how long a battery can discharge translating eventually to how long it will last. Only safe answer is: DEPENDS on everything...

but in general/average stats, what I can say is: lithos usually are pretty good for about a year, then the max charge slowly goes down and down, and eventually holds somewhere between 50-75%. But that all depends on usage... like do you use your laptop everyday, 3 times a week, always on... etc.. etc.. some degrade over 6 months, some in 2 years. Also depends on care.... I believe lithos should never be fully discharged unlike ni-cads and ni-mh batteries to maintain max battery life.

Personally the battery coverage sounds like a ripoff unless you can find out a way to put fires out with one, then the battery replacement thing may come in handy
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post #7 of 10
2/12/04 at 1:35pm
As devast noted, it depends on the battery, the machine, usage...everything!

If you're looking for a personal experience, here's one. My Dell Inspiron 5000 is nearly four years old, and has one NiMH battery. It was great for about a year, and began to lose its charge capability in years 2 and 3. Now, it's basically a UPS for the laptop. I'll get 20 minutes on it.

This is probably due to the fact that I never practiced decent battery maintenance. I would say, 98% of the time, I'm on mains power. Over the life of the laptop, I've maybe had it on battery 20 times or so, and even then, I never fully discharged it.
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post #8 of 10
2/12/04 at 7:19pm
Those salesman make commision on warranties. When I bought an Xbox I literally had to yell at the girl to get her to stop pushing me into a warranty.

They find any angle they can to push you into buying it, since they are only $6/hour workers they are very transparent, if they were slick they would be selling cars.

So just remember, do not trust or even listen to a salesman when they are trying to get you to purchase a warranty.

As for the question, it's like the lotto, you can win or lose. My 505XL might go strong for 3 years while yours might die after 12 months.
Warranties on laptops are always good since they are so breakable, especially if you are going to be taking it with you.
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post #9 of 10
2/12/04 at 8:28pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the replies

Everyone,

Thanks for the replies.

So, the warranty sounds like a safer bet then just risking it lasting for 3 years without a problem? I really think so, I just wanted to hear from some who have had a laptop for some time. This will be my first laptop, and I am usually a person who has to take everything I buy back to the store at least once. Just call it bad luck, but that is the way it is with me.

Jack.
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post #10 of 10
2/13/04 at 12:24am
I would get the warranty in your situation. Not for the battery, but for the whole laptop.

I didn't get the warranty for the 505XL that I just bought because it's going to stay in my home 99% of the time, I do not have pets or kids, and I don't plan on keeping it much more than 18 months so the warranty is not worth it for me.

But your uses are different.
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