[LiberationIT]

My experience with Dell batteries has not been good. That said, what follows may apply to most vendors.

The batteries have a finite life apparently based on age and usage.

Batteries bought from sources such as E-Bay may be old, so beware.

I'm considering a new laptop driven by the fact my old laptop needs a $119 (yikes!) battery. i.e. why spend $119, when for 6 or 7 hundred more, I get a new machine. But, given I'll probably have to get Windows, I think I'll hold off buying until the next release (next fall?)

Not much help on your question, just my 2 cents noting that batteries (and Windows,) are a drag on the market. I hope the hardware suppliers figure out a solution.

[Siegfried The Red]

That's a good point. Laptops are getting incredibly cheap now and for $700 I can get one that buries her current machine ... now you got me thinking about getting a new one if my budget will allow it.