IBM 600 Series Laptops and Flaky Batteries?

netdemonboberb asks: "I don't know where else we should turn, because no site will write articles on [this subject] and IBM is denying that their IBM 600 series laptops have flaky batteries. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute distributed these laptops to freshman students in 1999 and almost everyone I knew in my class had this issue. Ralph Levien's page has suggested it appears to be an issue with the 'Smart Monitoring' circuitry. I'm writing this article to get the issue out in the open so IBM can no longer deny it. These batteries are expensive, and I have had to replace mine 4 times already. Can anyone who reads/maintains slashdot help or provide any advice on getting resolution for this?" I must say that from personal experience, I've wondered if this might be the case as well. I have an IBM Thinkpad 600e laptop and I've already gone through 2 batteries. The laptop is currently inactive as it must be tied to the wall if it is to be used. Has anyone else experienced shorter-than-average battery life using these laptops? Were you able to do anything to improve the battery life?

Comments

Re:Slashdot today...

[lazyl]

Slashdot proclaims itself as a good site for people to get their views out. How the heck does the moderation system make sure that everyone's views are represented appropriately? Lets put it this way, the Slashdot moderation system is flawed for this reason. There is nothing stopping someone from demoding someone just because that person doesn't agree with his or her views. Add the fact, the moderators as a whole have the same powers 24/7 that 400 Slashdot members have 5 times for a period of 5 days at any given time.

I don't hear you suggesting a better alternative