[Wyatt]

I've recently gotten my hands on a first-generation MBP. It's in pretty decent shape and runs very well with a clean install of Snow Leopard. There's just one annoying problem: The battery is completely hosed. If I unplug it at all, it powers off.

Most of the time, that's probably okay, really, but I'd at least like to know that I won't lose all my work if my daughter or one of my pets trips over the cord and unplugs it. (Damn magsafe.)

Apple wants $125 for a new battery, and I don't see myself paying that to replace the battery on a machine this old. I see a lot of third-party (read: generic) batteries on Amazon at much cheaper prices (anywhere from $17 - $85).

Would it be totally stupid to buy one of these? Do any of you have experience with third-party batteries? I don't need long life on a charge, really. An hour or two would be wonderful, compared to what I have now, and I don't see myself taking the machine out of my house a lot.

[Brad]

Why are the two options "risky" and "stupid"? Shouldn't "a good value" and "totally worth it" be in the continuum somewhere?

I've not owned a third-party battery, but I remember reading reading good things about NewerTech batteries. Can't say much about the generics.

[alcimedes]

I would say that at some point, there has to be some serious chemical differences between a $17 battery and an $85 one. But I could believe that the $85 might be on par with a 2 year old Apple model, which Apple of course still sells for the original price. I guess go with someone who's been around a doing this for a while and I wouldn't worry.

I can't tell you how many bulging Apple branded batteries I've seen, so it's not like their QC is anywhere near perfect either. (and they've generally been assholes about replacing them)

[Yontsey]

I've had two bulging MacBook batteries from Apple. One they replaced free.

[Dorian Gray]

There are some safety risks with lithium-ion batteries, and presumably they increase with third-party batteries. Here's a "bad case."

If I really, really wanted to save money on a third-party lithium-ion battery, I'd choose one from a brand that's been around for a few years, in the hope that they care enough about their reputation to ensure their batteries are relatively safe.

[arteggio]

I've had my FreshBattery for a year now and feel confident with it, even now that the cover has come off. The whole "it might explode in your face or catch your house on fire while you're away" bit freaked me out too. I wouldn't put a $20 in any MacBook, or even my 7 year old PowerBook. A year ago I found FreshBattery's options to be cheaper than NewerTech but still solid looking.

For the non-Unibody 15" they have a $70 battery, a $100 one for the 17", and an $80 one for the Unibody 15".