When your new battery isn't so new?

[GanChan]

I've purchased a 2004-vintage iBook from B & H Photo. As far as I can tell, it's not used or refurbed, it's "new."

But I wonder about the battery. This model was discontinued almost a year ago, so even if it has no previous owner, the battery has probably been dormant a long time. Should I do anything special or different to break it in? Should I expect a shorter than rated lifespan?

P.S. And yes, I'll be checking the serial number on the battery to make sure it doesn't have a manufacturer recall on it or anything.

 

[disconap]

Calibrate it and see. It hasn't been being run down, but it hasn't been holding a charge either, so I would test it ruggedly until the warranty is up. But it's only a couple years old, so my guess would be it's fine, just a little shorter lifespan than if it was new.

 

[Caitlyn]

Well, yeah caliberate it first, but in the case that you might want a longer lasting, newer one, check out the ones at OWC for the older iBooks.

 

[nbs2]

Calibrate it and see. It hasn't been being run down, but it hasn't been holding a charge either, so I would test it ruggedly until the warranty is up. But it's only a couple years old, so my guess would be it's fine, just a little shorter lifespan than if it was new.

Careful though. General Apple policy is that batterys are covered for one year after acquisition. I don't know what their policy is on machines that aren't sold for so long. If you can get past the Apple Care/Genuis Gatekeeper, you will be fine. I might contact Apple care to find out the policy.

 

[GanChan]

Careful though. General Apple policy is that batterys are covered for one year after acquisition. I don't know what their policy is on machines that aren't sold for so long. If you can get past the Apple Care/Genuis Gatekeeper, you will be fine. I might contact Apple care to find out the policy.

I'm almost hoping that it turns out to be one of the recalled batteries, because that would entitle me to a free replacement.

Well, this one will probably work fine. In my office I'm currently running a 1400c (1996?) that's still on its original battery!

 

[nbs2]

I'm almost hoping that it turns out to be one of the recalled batteries, because that would entitle me to a free replacement.

Watch out with the replacements, just like with the others. My replacement actually lost 30% of it's capacity after only 10 cycles. I went through about one cycle/month...I got lazy about taking it in and almost missed the year mark.

But, my other battery has almost 300 cycles, is over two years old (I bought a backup when I got my machine) and has only lost 12% capacity. So, you may get really lucky with yours!