Dell, HP confronting laptop battery shortage

RE: Dell, HP confronting laptop battery shortage: Last October batteries for the Dell D5xx Latitudes were selling for less than $60.00 each. Then they went to $140.00 a few months later, BEFORE the fire. Now they are $199.00. But you can only buy them from Dell.

Dell sells through Best Buy, but not laptop batteries. HP, Gateway & others through Best Buy sell batteries. They are priced (that I can see) $40.00 to $100.00 or so more than what Dell is selling for. What's so different with Dell where they can sell for that muich more? Also, why are these companies relying on so few sources? I remember back in early to mid 1990s a plant was destroyed that caused the price of RAM to skyrocket. Even though the availability of the component that plant made was still being made elsewhere.

Something like this also happened with anti-freeze/coolant where it went from ~$2.00 per gallon to over $10.00. Ther was only one plant making it?

Someone needs to plan their parts logistics a little better. Given the choice between a $200.00 battery for my 3 year old & a new $600.00 laptop, I'd rather the new laptop.; Posted by: Ursan Posted on: 07/14/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use