Train employees to conserve laptop battery power

Changing laptop settings and altering other usage behavior can significantly prolong notebook battery life. A slight shift in corporate culture toward conservation, through proper training, is likely to save you time and money in the long run.

I recommend: Apple offers lifesaving laptop batteries info. Their recommendations, which generally apply to other brands like Dell, include avoiding battery storage in extreme temperatures, adjusting brightness to the lowest acceptable level and activating appropriate power saving settings. For Mac laptop computers, choose laptop settings in the Energy Saver Control Panel. If running Windows on a PC, select Portable/Laptop in the Control Panel's Power Schemes.

Resist the urge to buy refurbished notebook batteries

Buyer beware. Many computer retailers tout their inventory of heavily discounted, refurbished laptop batteries. Although this may appeal to your business's bottom line, customers generally do not get their money's worth.

I recommend: A so-called refurbished laptop computer battery is most often a used part, taken from another notebook and resold. Refurbishing laptop batteries requires intensive labor and carries significantly higher cost than most new batteries. Laptops for Less and Battery Values sell new laptop batteries for all major manufacturers at discount prices.   

Go green and recycle used batteries

Many laptop batteries contain heavy metals like lead acid and mercury, which damage the environment if disposed of or handled improperly. Certain states, like Florida and Vermont, require businesses to recycle their used batteries. Demonstrate your businesses' dedication to the community and the earth through partnering with battery recycling organizations.

I recommend: Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, a non-profit organization, recycles several laptop battery types, including Lithium Ion and Nickel Cadmium. Simply register and provide relevant laptop batteries info to receive a kit to begin recycling. Several small computer retailers, such as Hollywood, FL based Impact Computers and Electronics, also do their part, recycling any used notebook battery shipped to them or dropped off by consumers.

Shop for laptop batteries online

There are several reputable companies that offer laptop batteries for sale.

I recommend: LaptopBatteries.com sells batteries for laptops by Dell, Toshiba, HP, IBM and Gateway, among others. JustLaptopBatteries, Batteries.com and AtBatt.com are online sellers of laptop computer batteries, as well as good sources of laptop battery information.