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It mainly depends on how you plan to use your laptop. If you expect to use it in locations where it will be easy to find and plug into AC outlets, you’ll rarely be using your battery power and can probably do with the standard battery that comes with your laptop while using power-saving features to increase battery life when you do run off the battery.

On the other hand, if you expect to spend time regularly unplugged for whatever reason, it will be best to get a better battery, ideally the one with the highest capacity available. For example, if the standard battery is a 9-cell but there are options for 12- and 15-cell batteries, go for the 15-cell if you fit this category. You should probably also go for a 2nd battery you can switch to as you’re on the go. It may be expensive but you’ll thank yourself for the investment when one
day you find all that power to really come in handy.

Another thing to remember is always buy notebook batteries from the maker of the notebook and make sure the battery is compatible with your specific model. As volatile as notebook batteries have proven to be lately, it would be foolhardy to use anything other than a same-brand battery designed with your model specifically in mind.

The last thing to remember is just general care procedures when you do purchase your laptop and its battery (or batteries). Follow any instructions and warnings that come with them (such as let the battery fully charge before use) and every once in a while unplug the laptop and drain the battery almost totally, then shut it down and let it fully recharge before using it again. This eliminates any “charge memory” that may have occurred over time with typical use and helps ensure that your battery will last longer.