[COLUG] source for laptop batteries?

[Chris Clonch]

On Friday 06 June 2008 9:47:20 Jim Wildman wrote:
> You can get a bad battery no matter the price.  I doubt that there is a
> demonstrable relationship between price and quality and endless shopping
> (without buying and testing) proves nothing.  Buy one, use it right
> away, if it doesn't work, return/exchange it.

I think you can always get a dud; theres just no way to prevent it.  However I 
believe there is always a coorelation between price vs quality depending on 
the manufacturer.  Like so much in our world, its a bell curve.

Having worked in high tech manf and in particular the supply chain, it is 
extremely hard to keep quality up while reducing the MSRP and still maintain 
a decent margin.  If there wasn't Wal-mart wouldn't be known for their 
(rather remarkable) supply chain.  At the same time you can pay more for a 
name-brand without getting an increase in quality; you're merely paying for 
the name (i.e. Sony).

With technology I've been burnt way too many times on going with the cheapest 
equipment which is always the most obscure brand.  The easiest way to lower 
your cost is to use cheaper (and inferior) material, reduce testing to the 
bare minimum and skimp on the supply chain.

I say go with a reputable manf that has decent prices and a good 
warranty/return policy.  Any decent manf/store will backup their quality with 
a good policy.

-Chris