Powerbook/iBook Battery Recall

[spriter]

I was one of those affected in the last recall, and I suggest that you beware of Apple UK/Ireland when it comes to returning any dodgy batteries. They'll want to use a private Courier firm, but if, like me, you are not prepared to wait in all day for the Courier to come and pick up your old battery, Apple will ask that you post the battery to them, and promise to reimburse you for the cost of postage. They'll then ignore you completely and you'll never see the money.

Ringing "Customer Service" (an oxymoron!), will involve paying national rates (an 0870 number, for which Apple gets a cut) and being kept on hold for eons.

Cheers for the heads up. I get a new battery for my 12" 1.2 iBook but it's not going to be at my expense! 😛

 

[azdude]

Damnit... I'm HQ416XX 🙂

 

[Bendit]

I can't wait to check my serial number when I get home.

My battery suddenly went from lasting about 2 hours per charge to 20 minutes. I was going to buy one in a few months.

 

[Agathon]

My new PB seems to have a 3K serial #, so I guess I am safe.

I just wanted to express my horror at the pic of spontaneous PowerBook combustion. That is sick – reminds me of that scene from Fight Club

 

[MontyZ]

I wish Apple would recall their 23" Aluminum Displays. But, after nearly a year since the problems have been known, I suppose they plan to continue to ignore it.

 

[VicMacs]

powerbook g5

unbelievable how one word can make my heart skip a beat! happened to me too!

Man, my eyes didn't get much passed "Powerbook" as the first word of the first rumor before I began to get a bit excited.

Sadness ensued, as battery recalls are not exciting.

 

[Ugg]

whoa nellie! my battery model number is A1079 and my computer is recognized, but im not eligable for a battery? my serial begins 3K501...

does that mean im safe (and no new battery *sobs*)?

Yeah, mine begins with 3K501.. as well. I took it out a second time to make sure I hadn't mistaken the X for a K but no such luck. Ah well, the PB is only 3.5 months old so battery power is still strong.

 

[johnzoidberg]

I didn't know other 12-inch PowerBook (1GHz) owners like me also had a crap battery that came with their system. I finally caved in and bought a replacement after the battery that came with my system would spontaneuously cut off at like 30%.

 

[njmac]

I was hoping it would be a recall of older batteries. My 1GHz 12" PB now gets 45 min on the battery if I'm lucky. POS.

Yup, mine too. I thought for sure when I read the headline my battery would be included, but no, of course not.

Weird though, I had the PB plugged in then unplugged it and the cord(the part that goes into the PB) was so hot, I got a burn. I am returning the power cord as I just bought it at the Tiger release.

 

[njmac]

After reading the whole thread, I am shocked at the 12" Rev B. PB's that have this battery problem....... maybe Apple knows too, and next recall will be for us!

 

[ZenNerd]

I got a question for other people affected by the recall. When you applied for the new battery on Apple's site did you receive an email confirmation afterward? I haven't gotten one yet and my battery falls within the serial # range. Maybe they're just slow and maybe I'm not going to get one and a new battery will just arrive. I'm just checking to see what's happened for other people.

 

[oskar]

Man, my eyes didn't get much passed "Powerbook" as the first word of the first rumor before I began to get a bit excited.

Sadness ensued, as battery recalls are not exciting.

LOL 😀 Same thing happened to me. It's been a while without any iBook or PowerBook news. Which can only mean one thing. 😉

 

[me_94501]

I got a question for other people affected by the recall. When you applied for the new battery on Apple's site did you receive an email confirmation afterward? I haven't gotten one yet and my battery falls within the serial # range. Maybe they're just slow and maybe I'm not going to get one and a new battery will just arrive. I'm just checking to see what's happened for other people.

Yes, I did receive email confirmation.

 

[ZenNerd]

Approximately how long did it take?

 

[oskar]

Apple support page won't open for me. Too busy, maybe?

 

[fixyourthinking]

Of Note ...

It might should be noted that Apple doesn't take on ANY expense for this, nor is it a quality control issue.

LG, the manufacturer of the batteries will have to eat the cost for Apple.

 

[ZenNerd]

I don't really care who eats the cost I just don't want my powerbook to end up like that crispy one pictured in this thread. Long as I get a new battery I'm happy

 

[deputy_doofy]

I was hoping it would be a recall of older batteries. My 1GHz 12" PB now gets 45 min on the battery if I'm lucky. POS.

Yeah, me too. I have the same model (1GHz G4) and I'm lucky if I get about 30-45 minutes. The battery goes from 100% to (maybe) 70% and then 0%. WTF? lol

 

[DeSnousa]

New battery as well, however i don't think im going to like it, first off i live in australia (takes forever to get mac products) and secondly i need to do powerpoint presentations at school, next week. Damn

My question is how safe would it be to use the battery. thanks.

 

[ariza910]

I can't find my serial number on my iBook itself. Where it is? 😕

I found the battery serial fine.

its under the keyboard, push in the two tabs at the top and pull the keyboard up

 

[~Shard~]

its under the keyboard, push in the two tabs at the top and pull the keyboard up

Or, as a previous poster said to already answer this question in a far more simpler method, click the Apple logo, select "About this Mac", the click twice on "Version" to get the build, then the serial number. 😉 😎

 

[ariza910]

Yeah, me too. I have the same model (1GHz G4) and I'm lucky if I get about 30-45 minutes. The battery goes from 100% to (maybe) 70% and then 0%. WTF? lol

If you have the powerbook plugged into AC for long periods of time then the battery will be less than optimal and after a while it wont hold a full charge.

its good to run the battery down to nothing every few days then plug it back in for a full charge.

I use to kill powerbook batteries all the time by leaving the powerbook plugged in, ever since I started running batteries through afull cycle I havent noticed a drop

 

[ariza910]

Or, as a previous poster said to already answer this question in a far more simpler method, click the Apple logo, select "About this Mac", the click twice on "Version" to get the build, then the serial number. 😉 😎

I belive my method is better if the battery is dead.

regardless, its good to know more than one way to find your serial number.

far more simple? how hard is it to pull the keyboard up?

 

[~Shard~]

I belive my method is better if the battery is dead.

Good point. 😉

far more simple? how hard is it to pull the keyboard up?

Actually I was just giving ya a hard time - sorry, no offense, it's just my way. Spend some more time on the Forums and you'll learn my sense of humor and my overall bastardly nature as many others have. Just having some fun... 😉

 

[john_satc]

Having to replace mine too . Anyone who got the email yet, the one I got seemed to imply I had to send my battery off first and then get the replacement. I know this isn't whats happening just the way it was frased - or maybe that just me not being able to read 😱