Hardware: DealExtreme 10400mAh EeePC Battery

While reading eeepc.net the other day, I noticed a replacement 10400mAh battery for the 7/9" EeePC. At only $50 including shipping and the exchange rate going very much in my favour, I decided to take the risk.

I really wasn't expecting it to be so big, but then it was during my morning news reading that I decided to buy it. Logically thinking, I guess it has to be. But to say it's just a little bit bigger is an understatement.

It fits in place, but it doesn't feel like it locks in place properly. As there is a tendency to want to carry it by the battery, I worry about what leverage this is putting on the device. It also doesn't fit back into the original neoprene carry bag particularly well. On the plus side, when sitting on a desk, the angle is a little better for typing and skyping.

Annoyingly, the Linux version of the EeePC doesn't give you an estimated battery time left - merely a percentage. So I booted into a copy of Ubuntu that I keep on my key chain for a better idea. I will be testing out Ubuntu Eee in the very near future.

Ubuntu suggested a discharge time of 6 hours and 48 minutes. Not bad at all. It's been stuck on 100% for quite some time now without going down. In theory it should go down a percent every 4 minutes - I've been at least 10 and it's still on 100%. However, Ubuntu is also showing some of the other stats incorrectly too - so maybe it is having trouble reporting full stop. I'll have some more of a fiddle and see how long I get out of it!

I'm not sure I consider this to be a replacement battery, as it is too impractical and I personally find the battery life I get out my 7" to be perfect for my jaunts in and out of London. However, this will come in handy as a secondary battery for long journeys. All I need now is an external charger and I'll be sorted!

Will report back when I have some discharge times!

Update

Read my full review over at Think About Tech.

Hi Fry,

That is odd - you're the second person I've heard of with issues. I wonder if the quality control is low on these units, as mine has been fine.

I'm running Ubuntu's standard ISO with no special settings.

What I will say though, is Ubuntu was generally unhappy in reporting times at me, I think it did say there was only 2 hours left, but had a capacity of 6.

In my test that is on thinkabouttech, I did get a good 5 hours out of it.