The Basics

A laptop battery provides the electrical energy to power up the laptop without needing an external source. Laptop batteries are designed by using numerous electrochemical combinations to make cells that have electrochemically energy, moving electrons, (the particles that actually carry the energy), from one end of the laptop battery (also called a ‘terminal’) to the other, when the two ends are connected in an electrical circuit.

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Just by browsing our site it can be seen that there is a plethora of different laptop batteries out there. The idea of a generic laptop battery just doesn’t exist as they vary across different makes and models.

Similar to generic batteries that we use everyday though, laptop batteries have two terminals at either end – one positive and one negative terminal, between which electrons flow, carrying the energy required to power up your laptop.

Laptop batteries are however atypical in several ways. Starting with the simplest variation is that they are usually not found to be formed in the standard cylinder shape. All Laptop manufacturers uniquely structure their laptop batteries to match the required functionality of the laptop model. Many laptops and their respective batteries are designed to replace the functionality of a desktop system but simultaneously be mobile – others we see on the market manufactured to be light weight and compact.

Another variation is whether they are diposable or not. Primary laptop batteries are known as those that can be used once. Secondary batteries or cells are most common and these are the ones that are rechargeable, what many consumers are looking for when they need to replace the original OEM items. A secondary battery/cell is scientifically speaking, any kind of electrolytic cell in which the electrochemical reaction is reversible. These are also used in cell phones for example. Unlike primary cells, secondary cells must be charged before use and then can be recharged by using an external electric source that reverses the cell reaction. Commonly used secondary cell chemical combinations are nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion and lithium ion polymer

Lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion) are most popular in many consumer electronics including laptops. They have the best energy-to-weight ratios, no memory effect and a slow loss of charge when not in use. They can be dangerous if mistreated, however, and unless care is taken their lifespan may be reduced (read more about this in articles found in Experts corner).

Laptop batteries are composed of numerous internal cells. We sell generally 6, 8 and 12 cell batteries. The cells are combined in a selected arrangement resulting in the laptop battery having a higher voltage than the isolated cells would have. The batteries also contain a small circuit board that controls the way the cells are recharged.

You can find the laptop battery of optimum performance for your laptop by browsing our main listings section of brands on the left hand tool bar