December 22, 2003

Dear Fifth Grade Laptop Families,

 

            Many of the children are reporting to us that their batteries no longer hold a charge. As batteries are consumables, this is to be expected especially if the batteries have had a great deal of use. Most rechargeable batteries can be recharged 300 times before they start to fail. As you know, your child’s laptop has two batteries – the primary one and the modular bay one.

 

As a convenience for you, we contacted Whalley Computer Associates (WCA) regarding replacement batteries. Su San Centeno and Peter Collins of WCA have researched replacement battery options for the Toshiba Satellite 1200 and are offering them to South School families at an educational discount rate. These are 8 cell batteries with an approximately 2.5 - 3 hour life. A copy of their price quote is enclosed.

 

The Toshiba brand primary battery is part number PA3098U-1BRS, cost from WCA is $115.00.

 

The Toshiba brand modular battery is part number PA3099U-1BRS, cost from WCA is $155.00.

 

You are also certainly free to go to any other computer parts supplier and purchase batteries there. You will need to provide them with the brand and model of laptop that you have. There are third party batteries (non-Toshiba brand) available for the primary battery, but they seem to be more expensive at this point in time. There do not appear to be any non-Toshiba options for the modular bay battery.

 

I was researching batteries prices online over the weekend as well and found that Toshiba is currently offering a $70.00 rebate on the modular battery only when purchased through their online store.  Go to www.ShopToshiba.com, click on SPECIAL OFFERS and then choose TOSHIBA brand. The offer should come up on the right-hand column. I will also post the direct link on the South web page – click on AAL.

 

            If you are interested in purchasing new batteries from Whalley Computer Associates, please contact Peter Collins or Su San Centeno directly by phone (413) – 569-4200 or email ppc@wca.com.

 

            If you have further questions, please contact Peter Collins at Whalley Computer Associates (413-569-4200), ppc@wca.com or Beth Kennedy (978-623-8833 x1420) (bkennedy@aps1.net).

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Beth Kennedy

Melissa Nussbaum

Jamie Batchelder

Eileen Woods