With this being my second laptop to date, I know that the battery shipped with the unit is usually not enough. Although I had been getting about two hours on average with the battery that shipped with my HP Pavilion, I needed something more for those times when I expected to use the computer without access to an available AC outlet for more than two hours. This battery is far superior to anything else that I compared on the internet, and where I live the Computer Stores don't even carry extended life batteries for the laptops that they sell.
This battery has some of the extras not seen on off market batteries with lower price tags, and from Amazon.com with shipping was lower than some of the off market batteries that I compared it to. Although an extended battery is going to be larger that the original battery shipped with the computer (A little more than double the size), and obviously weighs more too, It is well worth having around because I am getting just under six hours on average with this unit.
This unit has two features that drew me to purchase it in the end - two features that I haven't come across before in an extended battery.
1.- On the side of this unit there is a battery check feature that utilizes a push button and four LED's in a circle to gauge the amount of power you have. For every one LED lit, you have twenty-five percent battery life left.
2.- On the top of the unit there is a port that accommodates Any standard HP branded, or HP brand compatible off market AC Charger. Therefore you have the option to charge your shipped OEM battery in your laptop while you charge the HP Extended battery without even being in the computer! An excellent idea for those that need to charge more than one battery at a time.
The height differential is nominal at best. Raises the back of the computer about 3/4 of an inch. Although I don't care about the difference in height for typing comfort even though an angle is recommended for typing comfort, The height differential is acceptable for increased airflow beneath the computer. My computer fans seem to be running less.
Now for the cons (there aren't many, and just something that is confusing) - On Amazon's website as well as HP's, this battery says that it is compatible with the following notebook Series: HP Pavilion: dv4, dv5, HP HDX: HDX 16 HP: G50, G60, G70 Compaq Presario: CQ40, CQ45, CQ50, CQ60 and CQ70. On HP's website that includes the dv6 model which I have. On the box when you receive it, it omits the dv6 compatibility even though it is compatible. Don't be confused.
In conclusion this battery is well worth the price through amazon.com. It is a lot cheaper than if you would buy it from HP Direct, and with the features that it includes is far superior to an off market external battery. I would recommend this to another HP laptop user, and even if all you are concerned about is having a battery for extra PC time, this battery is worth the price for the extra features that you have access to. HP KS526AA 12-Cell Multi Charge Extended Battery
You think when you first by the laptop that the standard battery is enough. Then you start really working and going places and realize that 1 to 3 hours of battery power just "ain't cuttin' it" - especially on planes trips. You also find that power isn't available everywhere you go either. This battery does really good. Average of about 4 and half hours (I forget to change my power settings but ..... oh well.....) Form fact isn't too bad. Actually gives your laptop an upward tilt for more comfortable typing.
Abercrombie and Randy Leizear's reviews below really say it all, and Amazon's price with Prime shipping was the best for me. I use my lap top a lot and there's no way I could get by without this battery. I understand why the manufacturer doesn't give you this battery as original equipment as the cost of the computer would go up $80 to $100 just for the battery, but I couldn't use my laptop without this. I thought the stock battery would be enough -- I'd lived this long with it -- but after having this battery a while it makes things a lot more convenient.
Our one year old HP G71 laptop came equipped with the KS524AA 6 cell battery. That battery performed perfectly for 11 months, then over next four weeks eased down from 3 hours to 2-3 hours, then to 1-2 hours. Then we got the on screen messages that it was time to consider replacing the battery. When we could barely count on 1 hour of service, it was time to dig out the research on replacement batteries and look to Amazon for the solution.
Based on satisfaction with the original, I may have replaced with another KS524AA. The tipping point for KS526AA 12 cell was the combination of so-so reviews of the KS524AA, the very positive reviews of KS526AA, the extended life potential and the fact that it was sold-and-shipped by Amazon.
The purchase qualified for zero postage/shipping and then arrived 4 days earlier than the most optimistic estimate (great start). Out of the box installation was 100% as hoped for. The added weight is zero concern. The elevated and tilted keyboard is a very strong positive for comfort and practicality. The recharge while disconnected from computer is another strong positive for convenience and practicality. Bottom line: we have not experienced even one of the negatives that some reviewers mentioned but we agree with each and every positive from other reviewers. The only way we would have improved our decision to buy this battery would have been to buy two for optimum service and convenience. No doubt we will have the second KS526AA as soon as the original KS524AA fully expires. No-brainer if this battery is one of your considerations.
January, 2011 UPDATE to earlier review: As expected, the original equipment 6-cell gave out. We did purchase the second 12-cell battery (AGAIN FROM GOOD FOLKS AT AMAZON). Now, between the two 12-cell batteries and a back-up TRAVEL ADAPTER (ANOTHER EXCELLENT PRODUCT FROM AMAZON), we have optimum efficiency. Couldn't be more pleased with quality of all the products together with Amazon's service and reliability. At least an extra 5-stars to HP for the 12-cell conveniences: longevity between charges, the light-meter showing power status and built-in socket for recharging battery (even if there's not a computer power source within a 100 miles). After a few months of heavy use, we learned to rely on all these valuable features. When it comes time to replace the HP G71 laptop, we would plan to equip the replacement with identical multiple 12-cell batteries and adapters (and no doubt all will be HP/Amazon products. - Hewlett Packard - Hewlett-packard - Laptop Battery - Laptop Batteries'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
