Changing cell for laptop battery has many risks

Low-income people often choose to replace laptop battery cells as a "rescue" solution when the battery is bottled, but not many people are aware of the risks that will happen to their computers.

Bao Anh (Giang Vo, Hanoi) is a third-year student of a large university in Hanoi. The battery of the HP Probook 4420s laptop is bottled, making it very difficult for him to study and work. Therefore, Bao Anh decided to buy a new battery for his laptop.

However, the laptop battery price ranges from 800,000 to 1,000,000 VND is not a reasonable level for students like Bao Anh so he thought about changing the cell for the battery as recommended by friends.

Many people for cell replacement are a low-cost solution. (Photo: Xuan Ngoc) .

When coming to Ha Viet Computer on Thai Ha Street, Hanoi, Bao Anh was told by the staff, the price of each " genuine" cell is VND 120,000, and the cell is usually VND 60,000. The staff of the consulting shop, cell replacement is often the last choice for laptop users. Cells can only be used in the first half of the time, while "good " cells make the battery as good as a genuine battery.

In addition, this person also confirmed that changing the cell does not affect the operation of the device. At another store also on Thai Ha Street, genuine cells only cost 80,000 VND per cell. The price is also inconsistent when Bao Anh goes to consult more, some places are VND 100,000. The owner of a laptop shop in Kim Hoa Street (Hanoi) said that with the type of battery that wants to replace cell, it must add 100,000 VND to repair the circuit board.

The main parts of laptop batteries include ICs and cells. (Photo: Xuan Ngoc) .

According to Mr. Thanh, Director of FPT Service engineering company (Cau Giay, Hanoi), laptop battery consists of two parts: IC (electronic circuit) and cell (small batteries). Replacing laptop battery cells is essentially removing broken cells and replacing them with new cells.

When doing this, the operator must measure the voltage intensity as well as the compatibility parameters for the battery after the cell replacement can be operated with the machine. If done properly, this will not affect the operation of the machine nor cause serious consequences. But if done incorrectly, it will affect the operation of the machine, such as making the battery too hot or bulging.

Mr. Nam, the owner of an electronic supply shop in Xa Dan 2 Street (Hanoi), recalled that when the new cell battery replacement campaign was initiated, many people brought their batteries to the store to replace ."However, after a period of use, users realize that the quality of the battery is not guaranteed," he said.

According to Mr. Nam, batteries are not as original as most cells on the market are not sold by the genuine. Each cell as well as a battery, before being marketed, is carefully inspected by manufacturers to ensure quality and performance.

But the cells that stores use to replace guests are mostly without origin but mostly from China. Quality, therefore, is not guaranteed by genuine goods.

Besides the production process issues, each component, especially the laptop battery IC, is fitted together. When disassembling the battery to replace the cell and re-insert it, if it is not good, it will cause parts that are not eaten to create problems when operating. Mr. Nam said that changing the cell manually cannot guarantee that the battery will have no problems during use.

However, if you do not replace the cell and buy a new battery, the user is also "headache" because the laptop battery market is very rich in variety.

For people with no experience, choosing a good battery is not easy. There have been many cases of buying fake, poor quality batteries, even recycled batteries - a form of cell batteries that have been replaced.

According to Mr. Nam, when buying new batteries, buyers should pay attention to the external characteristics. First of all, the parameters on the battery that manufacturers are printing a lot, meanwhile the unknown type has the opposite expression. Users should also pay attention to the lightness and clarity of print. If a battery has a translucent, unclear parameter, even blurry, then it is not a good battery.

Print quality on battery parameters is the most noticeable distinguishing sign.
(Photo: Xuan Ngoc) .

In addition, to avoid buying recyclables, observe the joints and connectors of the battery parts. If these parts show signs of glue and are not smooth, the battery may have been removed and replaced.

Users should observe the connector of the battery to detect the product to be replaced or replaced.
(Photo: Xuan Ngoc) .

Director of FPT Service Company (FPT Service) advised users to buy batteries at genuine distribution stores. This is the easiest way to get a quality battery. Mr. Thanh said that the price of each good quality cell also makes a battery as high as the original battery, while, if the cell is replaced, the user has to bear the unforeseen risk of disassembly.