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The replacement scheme was announced last month after it emerged that Asus was shipping lower capacity batteries with the Eee PC 900 in the UK than in other markets.

Many customers complained that their laptops were lasting just 90 minutes

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when unplugged, limiting the portability of the ultra-portable machine.

The company promised that for a cost of £10 the 4400mAh batteries would be replaced with larger 5800mAh units.

However, Asus confirmed today that customers would also have to pay for their current batteries to be shipped back to the company, and wait three to five days for a replacement to arrive.

We tested an Eee PC 900 without a battery this morning, and it does at least continue to work, although having to remain tethered to the mains is hardly ideal for an ultraportable laptop.

Customers have been able to call the Asus customer service hotline since 23 June to claim a battery, with assistants promising to get back to people with a reference number on 1 July.

Customers then have to send their battery back along with this number, and pay the £10 charge, before the new battery is shipped.