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M4400 6-Cell battery dying after a year of use

Discussion in 'Dell Latitude, Vostro, and Precision' started by essami, Sep 17, 2009.

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  1. LPTP-LVR

    LPTP-LVR Notebook Deity

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    Pretty crappy warranty if you ask me. I understand this is just how it's set up and i'll just see how far i can get them to go along if needed. Buying a three year warranty and only have it apply to one replacement is a rubbish premium, if 1 fails after say 15months and another after 9...you'll just have to buy a new one? Hope it wasn't an expensive extra. ;)
     
  2. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    Meh, a battery warranty is only like $80. for up to three years. That alone is worth the cost of a new battery, which is at least $100 bucks. A good 9 cell is like $200.
     
  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    I did my sums. It was less expensive than the cost of a new Dell battery, even on ebay, never mind Dell's prices. The probability of the battery needing replacing before one year is fairly low whereas it's highly likely that it will need replacing within 3 years.

    John
     
  4. LPTP-LVR

    LPTP-LVR Notebook Deity

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    True...it just doesn't mean enough i think. A 3yr warranty should mean a 3yr warranty, period. It still helps but it also shows how little confidence the manufacturers have in batteries....and they seem to be right too :(
     
  5. HerrKaputt

    HerrKaputt Elite Notebook User

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    It's a limitation of the technology used for batteries. No manufacturer will assure you their batteries last longer than others'.
     
  6. LPTP-LVR

    LPTP-LVR Notebook Deity

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    No i know, that's not my point. I don't expect a battery to last 3yrs but i would like to see a warranty for 1yr for every new battery within the systems warranty. There is not really any reason for them to not give a full year on a new replacement battery as that is the usual standard. They simply exclude the battery from the rest of the system because they know how unreliable they are and let us take that risk.
     
  7. HerrKaputt

    HerrKaputt Elite Notebook User

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    Oh, I misunderstood you the first time. Yeah, every new battery should have 1 year warranty. That is not the case if you buy the extended battery warranty?
     
  8. LPTP-LVR

    LPTP-LVR Notebook Deity

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    Nope...only 1 replacement....if that dies within the year then too bad for you.
    Batteries are really hit & miss as far as i've seen...some lasted for years and other a couple of months, same make, model and everything. Not too much we can do about it.
     
  9. manicguitarist

    manicguitarist Notebook Consultant

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    I was about to post that if it is within 12 months etc....but you've already claimed and got a new battery!

    I tend to claim for a new one about 11 months in on a new laptop. :)

    In fact, I have a note in my diary to get a new battery for my M6400 next month some time.

    Also - to extend the battery life - if you using the laptop docked or with a charger - once the battery is fully charged then disable charging. Otherwise, as the batery loses a bit of charge the charger will kick in a recharge it for you...and with this technology of batteries they only have a finite number of re-charge cycles - so best to let it slowly discharge and then charge it for when you really need it.

    M
     
  10. CruiseTown

    CruiseTown Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm pretty disappointed with the M4400 battery. I got mine in late october 08 and already it has LOST 55% of its rated capacity . My Lenovo/ Thinkpad T42 battery still has 38% of its capacity after 4 1 /2 years! I understand that batteries lose their capacity over time but for a battery to lose more than half of its charge in 10 months is ridiculous.

    I didn't even know you could exchange batteries until I read this forum. Thank goodness for that!!! ;)
     
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