Your opinion on a purchase

I've got an nc8430 laptop and am currently considering purchasing a second battery. So here's the deal:

• I currently work away from plugs almost 3 hours every day that I use the laptop. I have about a 3:30 battery life at most, so as soon as I work a little more I'm in danger of loosing power.
• I'm not always around a plug, otherwise I wouldn't be thinking of getting a battery. However, plugs are around if I hunt.
• I'd get an estimated 6-7 hours of life with the 8 Cell Extended battery for $129.
• I'd get an estimated 8-9 hours of battery life if I got the $179 Ultra Capacity battery.
• The 8 Cell battery can stay docked with my docking station, whereas the Ultra battery is too large to dock.
• Thus, I'd have to detach the 12 cell battery every time I dock, and reattach it every time I leave.
• Since the 8 Cell would remain docked, I would charge 2 batteries through out plug. If I had the 12 Cell, then I'd have to use two plugs (remember it cannot dock) thus the whole setup would charge faster.
• If I get the 12 cell battery now, it would take a lot more wear-n-tear on it before I'd actually start to lose too much battery life. The 8 Cell is cheaper and more convenient, but there is a higher probability that I would have to replace it more quickly over the long run.
• I'm keeping this setup for about 3 years, so I know the batteries will degrade over time. My current laptop battery can only hold 94% of its original charge and I've had this notebook for about 5 months now.

If I go through the trouble of hunting for plugs, I wouldn't need the battery (thus saving wear-n-tear and $$$). But with the batteries, I can stay disconnected for longer.

What do you think?

 

I would take the 8 cell. I wouldn't risk to have the battery outlast the laptop
I guess you cannot add a second modular battery?

 

8 cell, good compromise between cost and productivity. In 3 years we'll switch to nuclear fusion powered laptops and this whole degrading lithium ion nonsense will be moot.

 

Nope...that is the second battery for the notebook. It will attach to the underside of the notebook and put the keyboard deck at a better angle.

 

I'm ordering the 8 cell myself ..see the other thread Amazon has them for $112

 

Well, I went ahead and got the 8 Cell Extended Battery. Ended up choosing because I'm not likely to forget a second battery that will be almost permanently attached to my notebook (since I can dock with it still on).

Thanks for the help guys! I'll try to test it out when I get it and post a mini-review.