As you’re buying batteries, it’s important to find out two things: how long they last and how much they cost. You’ll also want to figure out exactly how the battery works with the device, and the length of time it needs to recharge. You don’t want to be on a business trip trying to figure out batteries right before a big presentation!
Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries: These were the first rechargeable batteries manufactured for laptops. They were relatively inexpensive, had high output and versatile, because they could be used in a wide variety of products. However, NiCd batteries have now been abandoned by laptop manufacturers with the introduction of more efficient and lighter-weight batteries.
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries: NiMH was a big improvement concerning power output, reliability, cost, safety and capacity. The “memory effect” was the only issue with NiMH batteries which require them to be fully discharged before recharging to gain maximum output. These batteries can still be found in older model laptops.
Lithium ion (LiON) batteries are the standard batteries for most laptops made today. They weigh much less than previous batteries and they don’t have the memory effect of NiMH batteries. While they have many advantages, they’re also more expensive than other laptop batteries.
Cell phones are not as expensive as they used to be, but you can still end up paying a lot for one. You might need to save for a few months to get the best phone on the market. Or you might need to watch your spending more once you start getting the bills for cell phone fees and extras. You might also need to consider the cost of cell phone batteries.
Most cell phones have a basic battery, but many people choose to purchase a better battery with a higher capacity. Like so many things, the cheapest option may not be the best. As the old saying goes: you get what you pay for. It’s possible to find a high-capacity battery for a good price, but it could be a used, restored battery. Usually made with old parts, restored cell phone batteries don’t usually function as well as new ones. If the price sounds too good, chances are you’re being sold a restored cell phone battery.
The camera battery is the most important component for your digital camera. Depending on the power of your camera, the battery may only last a few hours before going dead. Some people select cameras that have digital camera batteries that last a long time. Folks with these cameras can keep shooting for days and months with no downtime. Consider how you’re going to use your camera and when before you make a digital camera battery purchase.
Two kinds of digital camera batteries are available today. The AA battery is very common, as is the rechargeable digital camera battery. Also known as proprietary batteries, these are usually made by the manufacturer.