iBook battery problem
Remember the story last week about Dell’s laptop battery recall? Well, apparently Dell wasn’t the only company using Sony’s flaky battery - Apple used them in some G4 iBooks and PowerBooks. Luckily, my iBook is a G3, but I think a couple of you aren’t so lucky? Here’s a link to an article at BBC News about the recall, and here’s a link to Apple’s Battery Exchange Program, where you can find out if your laptop is affected and what to do.
August 24th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
isaac…i’ll check after lunch. yeah…i’m a G4 guy, but have to say that my battery has performed heroically so far (no problems, great life). but…i’ll check anyway. j
August 24th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
Hi, I’m a Dell B120 and haven’t noticed anything yet.
August 24th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
Is your Dell one of the ones with the bad battery? I don’t think you’d notice anything until, you know, it caught on fire. Seems like all laptops these days are a bit hot, and I don’t know if I could tell the difference between ‘normal’ heat and ‘about to combust’ heat.
August 24th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
isaac…thanks again for the heads up. looks like i’m in the clear (and lisa, too), but jake is likely going to have to get a new battery. i’m gonna check his battery serial #, but it’s a 12″ G4 purchased for christmas 2005. the article talks about burnt fingers. ugh. j
August 24th, 2006 at 9:48 pm
hmmm. jake’s serial number prefix was in the grid…the time frame is right AND the computer serial number was accepted for the battery change. but…the battery serial number didn’t take (not eligible). i double-checked and reentered it 3x…no go. i guess its ok. weird. any thoughts isaac? is it worth following up with a call (that’s the only contact available)? or…i guess i could have jake recharge his battery on the garage floor.
j
August 25th, 2006 at 6:18 am
Does the battery model number match? Should be on the underside of the battery, around the serial number (mine is A1008). You could call them to be sure, or I guess you could also wait to see if they contact you - they’re supposed to send an email or letter if you bought it through the Apple store.
Alternatively, you could get Jake a welder’s apron and gloves. Could be tough typing in those though.
August 25th, 2006 at 7:33 am
isaac…yeah, i checked the model# of the batt…it’s one of the two listed. i suspect SONY made some of these, and some other manufacturer made others…otherwise, it would be a straight model # for replacement. as for purchase, i went through comp usa (which was a MUCH better experience than the apple store here). unusual for me, but i also purchased a comp usa warranty for jake’s iBook that covers the batt, too…it’s still got a bit to go, so maybe i’ll just dump it on them and exchange straight across. i HATE 800 number tech support…on this batt fiasco, whaddya think the odds are of at LEAST an hour on hold? yeah. comp usa, here i come…thanks for the follow up, isaac. l, jack
August 25th, 2006 at 10:29 am
isaac…just wanted to follow up and let you know that i found a great deal on USED welder’s aprons and gloves for jake at a spenard 2nd hand store. apparently murkowski’s debacle in the primary has some slope hopefuls feeling a little dubious about the prospects for a gas pipeline moving forward in their lifetime…aisle after aisle of like-new welding equipment stacked to the rafters. j