Are there currently Dell battery issues like the various Mac ones?

[TraceyS/FL]

I wouldn't know where to go hunting for the info for a friend. But her 13 month old 17" Dell Laptop is having battery issues - she never thought it would have been covered by her warranty, so she didn't call.

She is just ready to have to buy a new one - and doens't want to spend $160.

THought i'd ask if someone could either point me to some reading for her - or at least say if they are having similar issues. If it was a Mac, she'd be getting a new one.

Thanks -
Tracey.... whose never owned a Dell

 

[gnasher729]

I wouldn't know where to go hunting for the info for a friend. But her 13 month old 17" Dell Laptop is having battery issues - she never thought it would have been covered by her warranty, so she didn't call.

She is just ready to have to buy a new one - and doens't want to spend $160.

THought i'd ask if someone could either point me to some reading for her - or at least say if they are having similar issues. If it was a Mac, she'd be getting a new one.

Thanks -
Tracey.... whose never owned a Dell

Dell was probably the company that was hit worst by last years battery problems (apart from Sony who was the cause of all the mess). You should most definitely check if that battery is covered by any battery replacement program. And a battery shouldn't wear out after 13 months.

On the other hand, check if Dell has any recommendations how to improve the life of your battery, like Apple has.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

She wasnt' affected by the recall. I know the current Apple Extension lists purchases between 2/06 and 4/07 (http://www.apple.com/support/macbook_macbookpro/batteryupdate/), which I think is outside of the original recall? That was why I was wondering if the "current" batteries were having similar issues. I had a G4 iBook that I got replaced under the recall!

I find it hard to believe that she could hit the cycle life on it already too. I'll hunt around for some calibration type stuff for her. But she's getting less than an hour of battery life on it, and she works full time so only uses it in the evenings.

Thanks....

Tracey

 

[zioxide]

And a battery shouldn't wear out after 13 months.

I have a 15'' Dell Inspiron purchased in June 06 and I already had one battery replaced because it was wearing out and the warning light was on. This happened in like February.

Tell her to go on their support chat. I went on there and they sent me a new battery no problem.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Thanks - i'll tell her to do the chat.

She has a low tolerance for tech things, so hopefully the fact that she might not have to buy it will make her do it.