DOA / repair / "within specs" ???

First, I apologize in advance for a lengthy post. I hope the length doesn't dissuade people from helping me.
I'm new to Macs and received my 1st PB on 12/22/05: 15" G4 1.67GHz, 80GB, 512MB, Super Drive, 1280x854 res (refurb unit from Apple). I have discovered some worrisome issues with this PB, and am seeking your sage advice as to whether these issues are normal or if I should return it to Apple (am within the return period).
The PB came with OS X 10.3.7 installed, 2 OS X install discs (disc #2 is badly scratched & has many fingerprints on it), and an install disc for Tiger that seems to be new. I have not installed Tiger, nor any additional software or data, nor any peripherals. I have not set up internet access or even connected my cable modem to it, and have not run any repair utilities etc. Thus far I've only explored what was factory-installed, have been becoming familiar with the PB & OS X, and am currently running the battery calibration. I have used the PB for a total of perhaps 10 hours.
The things I'm concerned about have been present since I first powered up on 12/23. They are:
(1) Display - Numerous positions of characters in all text are faint. This is true in native res and all others; it is not confined to any specific app, row or column of text, or any specific area within a page. The text is basically legible, but certainly not clear or uniform.
(2) Case & lid warped & warping - Out of the box, the case wobbled from left rear to right front. The case is level only if the power adapter cord is under one of those corners. Today I noted that the lid is now warping. The right front is noticeably higher than the left front, which creates a gap of approx 3/16" at the right front corner. The lid was not warped when I first used the PB.
(3) Trackpad - Sometimes it will select/open an item when the cursor is merely resting on that item (i.e., without any clicking or tapping); sometimes the scroll functions do not work; sometimes neither the trackpad nor the button will respond to tapping. There's no rhyme or reason to these quirks and I can't duplicate any of them at will.
(4) Battery - It charged to only 97% when I first recharged it after receiving the PB. Except for today during the calibration process, I have always had the PB connected to power; even so, the battery never charged above 97%. It is still in the process of recharging after calibration, so I don't yet know if it will charge beyond 97% after calibration.
Are these things normal for 15" PBs, or are there repairs I should do, or should this PB be returned/exchanged?
Sigh ... Buzzard's luck.

Carl -
No; your summary is incorrect. Sorry if I wasn't clear.
Apple is NOT replacing the DOA refurb 15" PowerBook with a new one. They will apparently send another refurbed 15", unless I cancel.
My "gripe" is that what AppleCare tech support and I agreed to is apparently not being honored by the Apple Store or whichever department is involved. AppleCare told me they would send a new one, but the follow-up email from the Apple Store, and their order status info, state they will send another refurbed one. At this point I am not sure just what they will send, if anything at all. My point of posting was to ascertain whether Apple tends to tell its customers one thing, then do something entirely different and contrary to the express agreement between AppleCare and the customer.
The AppleCare tech with whom I spoke regarding the RMA initially offered to replace the DOA unit with another refurb unit. I told him I did not want to risk another refurbed PowerBook, and wanted a full refund (I am still within the refund period). I also told him I might buy a new 15" PB, but would not do so without seeing it first because of the possible display line issues. I further told him I would go to an Apple Store at my earliest opportunity to see the new 15" models in person, but to please process the refund in the interim. It was at that point he offered to send a new 15" PB to replace the DOA refurb, at the same price as the DOA refurb. Before I agreed to and accepted his offer I specifically asked the "new or another refurb" Q, and he confirmed "brand new". However, 1.5 days later I received an email from "The Apple Store Team" stating they will ship another refurb 15" (same model as the DOA unit) after their receipt of the DOA one. (The timing of shipping the replacement is also contrary to what AppleCare told me, but what the heck.)
FWIW, I did not complain that Apple may (or may not) send a new 15" PowerBook to replace a DOA refurbed model. Such would be ludicrous, and even this old PC user isn't that stupid. I did "complain" that at least in the present instance, Apple tells its customer one thing yet does not follow through as agreed. For a company of Apple's esteem, that makes minds reel.
Hopefully yours may now stop reeling.

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    This question was solved.
    View Solution.

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