Post by: sandbox on October 27, 2008, 03:38:46 AM
It's been almost 4 years on this battery, I leave it plugged in and sleeping all the time, except when I use it away from the base station. I've read all kinds of opinions on the matter, shut off the computer, don't leave it plugged in, use it on battery power once a week…blah, blah, blah…but 4 years on the same battery seems to be a good run, no? anywho, I found a replacement at Amazon for $69 + $5 shipping and that should resolve the anomaly.
http://www.amazon.com/Flex-Cable-Products-...2/ref=de_a_smtd
I don't pay to much attention to those reviews, I looked up the company and other sites that had hundreds of good reviews.
http://flexcableproducts.com/product_info.php?products_id=58
Post by: chriskleeman on October 27, 2008, 09:14:33 AM
The only suggestion I'd make is that Apple recommends that you run the iBook on battery power until the machine puts itself to sleep once a month or so to "recalibrate" the battery... but sounds like your battery is way past that!
And I'd say 4 years is a pretty good run on any rechargeable battery!
So let us know how it goes, because my iBook will be needing a battery at some point in the next year or so...
And I've seen the same battery for around the same price in a few different sites, don't know if it's the same manufacturer.
Best,
Chris K
Post by: Mayo on October 27, 2008, 01:38:26 PM
OtherWorldComputing has slightly higher capacity Newertech batteries, but they are almost twice the cost...
Personal Experience: a G3 iBook battery that was always plugged-in lasted between 1-2 years. Our current G4 iBook battery has been cycled quite a bit and is still going strong according to coconutBattery. The battery is almost four years old...
coconutBattery provides a LOT of info about your battery. The free utility is a must-have for portable Mac users.
"coconutBattery isn't just a tool which shows you only the current charge of your battery - it also shows you the current maximum capacity of it in relation to the original capacity your battery had as it left the factory.
You also get information about the battery-loadcycles (how often did you fully load your battery), the current charger (coconutBattery even warns you if you plugged in a wrong charger for your Notebook) and last but not least information about the age of your Mac.
coconutBattery gives you all these information just in time because of it's live-feedback interface!
Of course you are able to save the current maximum capacity of your battery - with just one click! coconutBattery uses Apple's new and really powerful technology named "CoreData" to realize this comfortable saving option."
Post by: sandbox on October 27, 2008, 02:51:35 PM
So if you have a battery going south you may see this same ever growing trend to reserve more power. 9% warning of a battery with 50% life left is about right, compared to 4% warning at 89% which is what my battery was when new according to Capacity Meter.
Mayo, CoconutBattery does not have software for Panther. I do use CoconutWifi though, and it works quite well.
Post by: sandbox on October 30, 2008, 06:15:59 AM
My original battery had a capacity of 4099 out of a possible 4600
The the battery was shipped instantly it seems, I ordered it on the 27th it arrived on the 29th in my mailbox. Outstanding!!
Post by: Gregg on October 30, 2008, 06:47:23 AM
QUOTE(sandbox @ Oct 27 2008, 03:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I found a replacement at Amazon for $69 + $5 shipping and that should resolve the anomaly.
QUOTE(sandbox @ Oct 30 2008, 06:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The battery was shipped instantly it seems, I ordered it on the 27th it arrived on the 29th in my mailbox. Outstanding!!
So you got a charge out of how much they charged you on your charge card, eh?
Not to mention the faster-than-a-lightning-bolt delivery...
Post by: chriskleeman on October 30, 2008, 08:46:10 AM
Chris K
Post by: sandbox on November 02, 2008, 12:14:47 PM
I was lucky if I got 45 minutes before i switched. And the week before it was 1.5 hours. it happened suddenly, like a cell burned out, there was an odd mild odor that i couldn't quite identify either, even when plugged in. The battery, if it stands up to my usual use and last half as long, it's worth half the price of the same battery at Applestore costing twice as much.
I usually run with at least those 4 apps on at all times, 50% of the time GoLive, Preview and Photoshop are also open. I'll see how it does straining the memory chips and get back to ya.
Post by: kimmer on November 03, 2008, 01:16:21 PM
QUOTE(chriskleeman @ Oct 27 2008, 07:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The only suggestion I'd make is that Apple recommends that you run the iBook on battery power until the machine puts itself to sleep once a month or so to "recalibrate" the battery...
So I'm guessing we should do the same?
Is it a good idea to totally dump the battery and then charge it back up?
Post by: sandbox on November 03, 2008, 01:35:04 PM
QUOTE(kimmer @ Nov 3 2008, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Informative thread, especially for this new MacBook Pro owner.
So I'm guessing we should do the same?
Is it a good idea to totally dump the battery and then charge it back up?
QUOTE(chriskleeman @ Oct 27 2008, 07:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The only suggestion I'd make is that Apple recommends that you run the iBook on battery power until the machine puts itself to sleep once a month or so to "recalibrate" the battery...
So I'm guessing we should do the same?
Is it a good idea to totally dump the battery and then charge it back up?
Yes it is periodically but especially when it's new.
I had an app in OS 8.6 that would do this for you but i haven't seen one for OSX panther
http://lowendmac.com/wares/amnesia.html
ops...I meant to add that the new Books have different batteries so the application or method may not apply.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on November 03, 2008, 02:38:12 PM
