What are my options when an older laptop/notebook has a bad battery?

[blitzjg]

Within the past couple weeks my laptop's battery has failed to charge. It is about 5 years old now, so I assume this is normal behavior for that amount of time. The HP support assistant is now telling me to replace the battery.

When I search for a replacement battery it says the manufacturer is no longer making them. Does this render my laptop useless? Can I continue using my computer indefinitely as long as it is plugged into an outlet?  Are there alternative ways to get a batter for this unit? 

Also it doesn't appear to have a removable battery, is replacing it something I could do if I were able to get one?

[pbroussard]

You can use the laptop plugged in, it won't harm anything. If you post the full model number we can get you the service manual for a parts list and instructions on opening it up and changing the battery. If you can't find a HP battery, there are generics being made, some are pretty good, others not so much.

[blitzjg]

The manual would be awesome. Its an HP ENVY x360 m6 Convertible PC model : m6-aq103dx

I found a generic replacement on Amazon. I hope it works. 

[MichaelJDoria]

You can replace the battery. Just find a small torx bit and remove the three screws then remove the rubber piece closest to the hinges there will be more small screws Phillips head use a plastic pry tool or your fingernails to pop off the back cover and the battery is the large black rectangle with seven more Phillips screws remove them and the battery slides right out.