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Caleb Hauge

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 20, 2021
36
18
Does anybody have any experience with new-in-box PowerBook/iBook batteries that haven't been used? I just bought a battery for my 14" iBook and considering that the battery hasn't had a charge in at least 15 years, I'm a little worried.
 
What are you worried about? It shouldn't damage your PowerBook/iBook to try it.

If it's an Apple battery or from a reliable aftermarket manufacturer like Newer Tech, it'll probably work if it truly is new-in-box as you say (not doubting you, but the party that sold it - I would view such a claim with healthy suspicion). It may not have a long life, as there's a life span to the chemistry inside those batteries; but might work for a while at least at some level.

If it's a no-name or Chinese aftermarket knockoff, it still might work, just don't ever let the charge get below about 25%. In my experience, those don't reliably report their charge level and tend not to recover from being fully discharged.

It'll either be a brick or it won't be. Take your shot.
 
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I'm not worried about damaging it, I'm just worried about having an $85 brick. It's in an Apple box, so I'm assuming it's Apple and not another manufacturer.
 
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Oh I see. I was under the impression from your first post that you'd already bought it. If you do buy and try, please let us know how it worked out. And if there are more available, please let us know where - I'm sure some here would be happy to pay $85 for a "new" working PB/iB battery.
 
Oh I see. I was under the impression from your first post that you'd already bought it. If you do buy and try, please let us know how it worked out. And if there are more available, please let us know where - I'm sure some here would be happy to pay $85 for a "new" working PB/iB battery.
Your first impression was right, I did buy it when I made the post. I should probably write a little clearer lol. I bought the last one from that seller, but I've seen iBook/PowerBook batteries NIB for sale before on eBay at similar prices.
 
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So it wasn't actually NIB...
IMG_1318.jpg
 
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Ouch, $85 for a battery with 17% capacity & 236 cycles? I have a couple and both are similar capacity or worse for my PB17” which stay as a PPC desktop really due to their state. Was the battery advertised as used? If not, you could pursue recourse through PayPal perhaps if you’re not happy with your purchase or perhaps the seller could knock off/refund some $$$ & you keep it. I remember buying my first PB17” about 7 years ago and even then being shocked by the lack of replacement batteries. Coming from a plethora of cheap Early Intel mb batteries that I could buy at will, I assumed the same was true for PPC PowerBooks. Obviously reality is about as opposite to my perception at the time as possible LOL. Anyhoo, this was a shock to me but dems da breaks I suppose :D Interestingly, I did see This thread resurface about NIB PowerBook/ibook batteries so maybe this could be a solution for you (and me too lol)

Loves me the 17” screen & kb though. 🙂 Best of luck.
 
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