Powerbook G4 Battery & Apple Care

Question

Hi,
I brought my Powerbook G4 into the Apple store b/c my battery would only hold about 1 hour after a full overnight charge. I bought the laptop in Sep 2004 and the Mac Genius told me that I needed to buy a new battery. I informed him that I bought Apple Care at the time of original purchase date (same store that I took the laptop into). His reason was that Apple Care only covers defective batteries and that after about two years, the battery will not hold a charge well. I told him I felt somewhat cheated b/c the battery issue was the primary issue as to why I bought Apple Care in the first place -- at the recommendation of the Apple salesman who said Apple Care covers the battery. I don't know what to do. I guess I could buy a new battery, but I just kind of feel a let down. What do you guys think? Have you ever had your laptop batteries replaced at no charge after a lengthy time of ownership?

Answer 1

My understanding is that batteries are considered to be "consumables" and are not covered under warranty (original or extended). From day one, they are known to wear out, that's their design. AppleCare costs something like $349 from Apple for a PB and a battery costs $79, so if that was the only reason to get it, it would hardly make fiscal sense.
I got my Applecare to protect myself in the event that the screen or logicboard or some other pricey component proved defective 18 or 24 months into owning my PB, and I could get the unit fixed and sent back to me gratis -- whereas an uncovered repair might total in the thousands otherwise.
If I were you, I would just buy a new battery -- I'm going to have to join you in few months, as my own battery has lost about half its capacity, but that's how rechargeable lithium ion batteries are -- their capacity and charge retention declines with both time and use. C'est la vie.
-- JDee