"Edward J. Neth" wrote in message
. com...
If you buy other than from Dell, be sure of the date of manufacture - you
don't want old-stock batteries.
Lithium ion batteries degrade over time whether or not they're used - a
year
old battery may have half its useful life over with, even if it's never
been
used.

Edward,

Here is a link which essentially confirms your statment, although according
to the grid, it is not quite as bad as 50% after one year:

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

-- Jay