TC1100 Owners. Anyone tried batteries from here?

**Synergi** · 08-07-2010, 07:41 AM

I ran across this site and they seem to get good reviews. They even have an extended battery. I didn't know there was an extended battery for the TC1100 but it looks like a thin battery slice but pricey at 300 bucks or so.

**Steve S** · 08-07-2010, 12:15 PM

<<...they seem to get good reviews...>>

Syn: First time that I've seen this site, but they look to be reputable. Back in the site FAQ's, there is this: "...DuracellDirect.com is operated by Battery-Biz Inc., an authorized Duracell distributor..." So they aren't really Duracell, but I'm sure that the business agreement between them has some pretty stiff rules because Duracell isn't going to risk its reputation with some fly-by-night outfit. So my inclination would be to buy with confidence, in this case.

A comment on prices. Like you, I am not overly impressed by DuracellDirect's prices for these items; they're not much of a bargain compared to OEM prices (where the product is still available). The external battery, which is not a TC1100 external battery but simply a generic external battery, looks to be some unknown brand, whereas for a very similar price you can get an Electrovaya PowerPad95 (and yes, I have trashed Electrovaya in the past for quality issues, but I give them credit for improvement in the here and now).

Anyway, the price doesn't strike me as much of a bargain (except, of course, that the batteries are available and they are newly manufactured). There are other, cheaper batteries that also work; I have one, but the brands come and go on eBay and buying one is something of a crap-shoot, I think.

So, bottom line: I think you'd be OK with batteries from DuracellDirect, but if cost is an issue for you, there are still lower cost alternatives (but possibly with higher risks)...

**Synergi** · 08-07-2010, 10:45 PM

Thanks Steve.
I thought they looked legit also. Its true that the prices are high but I guess its an option if someone wants brand new. I'm going to keep trying to find an oem battery unless someone has had luck with a vendor on ebay, please share. :)

**Michelle Mastin** · 08-08-2010, 10:51 PM

I bought from Silicon Electric on ebay. They ship from Fremont CA, and my battery arrived the day after "Buy it now" payment. It works. I have had no trouble with it. If it doesn't work, you only have to ship it back to Fremont, not to Hong Kong.

I would post a link, but I haven't posted enough apparently, but if you just search ebay for them, I'm sure they'll come up.

**RedZ99** · 10-03-2010, 05:57 AM

About Silicon Electric:
I bought a battery for my TC1100 from them via ebay. I paid extra for the 90 day warranty on a new battery.
About a month after getting it, the battery died completely. It had no charge, would not charge in either the tablet or
in the "toaster" type batt charger i have. The self test button's LEDs would not even light up.
So, I emailed Silicon Electric for an RMA number (and they took their own sweet time getting the number to me).
I shipped the bad batt back to them.

About 3 weeks later, I got my "replacement" battery - the same dead ass battery I had shipped TO them!
They had just repackaged it.

I WOULD NOT buy from Silicon Electric, if I were someone reading this post.

**Michelle Mastin** · 10-03-2010, 11:42 AM

Thanks for sharing. Mine's still working fine after 2 months. I guess it's always a bit of a crap shoot with after market batteries. One of my main reasons for going with this place is how close they are, no need to ship to China. Although if they can't be trusted to ship proper replacements, I'm close enough to drive over and harass them.

Has anyone found a reliable source for replacement? It would seem that all the genuine stock is too old and shows wear.

**Steve S** · 10-03-2010, 12:04 PM

<<...Has anyone found a reliable source for replacement?..>>

...A single reliable source? No.

However, every time I look, I seem to be able to find a supplier that appears to be reasonable. So far, it's just been a matter of doing the necessary amount of homework to insure that any given supplier is reasonable (and doesn't have a bunch of angry customers blogging about them)...