[Powerbook adapter] Powerbook G4 Power adapter died, need suggestions

[GPUnique]

Hi Everyone. I'm usually in the iPhone forum, but my girlfriend is having some Powerbook issues and I thought you guys might be able to help. After doing some extensive searching, I find the problems she's having with her adapter are happening to everyone. She has the white A/C adapter that came with her laptop when she bought it. It sparks all the time, has to be held at just the right angle to even hope for it to work, and part of the casing has black reside on it I think from shorting out. Not the best made product. After seeing that this frequently happens, I am quite hesitant for her to buy another Apple adapter, since it costs $80 and they haven't bothered to correct the problem. I have found other generic adapters, but who knows if they are any good. Does anyone have recommendations on what adapter is reliable? Any stories of adapters people have tried and had success, or failures to avoid? Thank in advance.

[BrettHartt]

Hi Everyone. I'm usually in the iPhone forum, but my girlfriend is having some Powerbook issues and I thought you guys might be able to help. After doing some extensive searching, I find the problems she's having with her adapter are happening to everyone. She has the white A/C adapter that came with her laptop when she bought it. It sparks all the time, has to be held at just the right angle to even hope for it to work, and part of the casing has black reside on it I think from shorting out. Not the best made product. After seeing that this frequently happens, I am quite hesitant for her to buy another Apple adapter, since it costs $80 and they haven't bothered to correct the problem. I have found other generic adapters, but who knows if they are any good. Does anyone have recommendations on what adapter is reliable? Any stories of adapters people have tried and had success, or failures to avoid? Thank in advance.

I dont think youre going to find any better adapters that the one apple sends out. And the other option I'm thinking would make you blush about spending $80 dollars on a new charger. Because the computer is as old as it is I'd try craigslist or ebay and it may save you a couple of bucks off the top.

[GPUnique]

You mean to tell me that the BEST product available is one that has known defects of sparking, overheating, and only works for a year at best? And costs $80? Come on. There are a lot of other options and I'd like to get one that people have been happy with and works well. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[jdn]

I had the same problem with an old iBook G4 AC Adapter a month ago - I'd have to agree with BrettHartt tho: I dont think you're going to find any better adapters that the one apple sends out.

I went to an authorized Apple Reseller and the dood said pretty much the same thing: these Adapters just die after awhile. But you can save 10$-20$ if you just buy the AC and re-use the plug.

[PathDaemon]

MacAlly (http://www.macally.com/EN/Product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=82)
and FastMac (http://fastmac.com/poweradapter.php) make PowerBook power adapters and are two companies I trust (FastMac has the edge).

Yes, the iBook and PowerBook power adapters were shitty — that's why Apple switched to MagSafe.

Before buying anything, I would ask to try the PowerBook with a known-good adapter — at a service provider or Apple Store — to make sure there's not a problem with the DC-in board on the computer. They were known to have problems of their own, and it's not worth dropping money on a new adapter if you need a new part.