Generic Batteries OK?

I just ordered a T400 with the 9-cell battery.

I want the option of having either a 9-cell or 4-cell (e.g. for either light weight or long battery life on a long train ride)

Seemed like it was most cost-effective to buy the 9-cell at time of purchase. But, now the 4-cell is much more expensive than I thought. But... there are generics out there for $60 or so.

Can anyone tell me if it's worth it to save money with a generic. Main question is, Are they reliable?

Thanks in advance,

Jon



P.s., also, am I right in assuming an ultrabay battery adds negligible battery life?

 

Guess they're fine usually .......

if you don't mind them exploding in your face.

 

That's what she said

 

LMAO!!!!!!

 

I wouldn't trust using a generic battery. Get an official Lenovo battery instead. Same thing goes with AC adapters. I would never trust generic hardware to safely power my laptop. That being said it would probably work fine, but you are taking a chance.
Tim

 

Yeah my eMachines power adapter died a few months ago. Since it was already pretty old, I picked up a generic on ebay for 1/3 the price. Guess you get what you pay for.... pretty much ruined my charging port (but on the brightside, now I get a shiny [or dull] new Thinkpad).

 

My concern is that if the laptop dies and Lenovo says it was due to the battery, I'm SOL if I've used a 3rd party battery vs. using OEM. The $30-40 cost savings isn't worth the risk -- though admittedly it's more a matter of peace of mind than a real high risk of something happening.

 

I agree. It is best to go with an official battery as you do not know the quality of the build or manufacturing of the cells with generics. And if there are any potential issues you are ultimately responsible. I also doubt a generic battery would have a mass recall in the same fashion as Dell or Lenovo.

 

I have tried a generic battery i bought on ebay for my x31..it was TERRIBLE..

the battery life is no where near the same as an OEM battery from lenovo..

my recommendation is stay away from aftermarket laptop batteries

 

Generic batteries are absolutely fine as long as they are U.L. / C.E. approved. They are not going to blow up or somehow ruin your laptop unless you buy one that was assembled by slave labor in Togo.

I bought my eight cell for my x61s from Lenovo but when I decided I wanted a four cell too, I bought a generic. I saved about 75% of what I would have paid for an official battery, and it's just about as good. The only caveat is that the laptop doesn't seem to estimate the time remaining quite as accurately as my eight cell (I've had my laptop suddenly run out of power a couple times when there was supposedly time remaining), but it's not an issue unless you drain it under 5%.