Customer Reviews

Micro Accessories AC Adapter for Apple iBook/G4 PowerBook

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(32)

 

 

Works well, and does show up as 65W in the System Profiler in my 17" G4. Only issue is that the connector between the AC cable and the transformer box is not quite as tight as I'd like--it comes out slightly too easily. On the other hand, the connection between the DC cable and my PowerBook is much better than in the case of the Apple adaptor (which had also frayed and so it was time to replace).

I purchased this unit when the original adapter(of course)for my iBook G4 broke. When I saw that the Apple units were $79, it was just no way. I picked this one because of its 65W output. When the unit arrived(in three days and that was with the cheap shipping!) I put the wall cord section into the brick and noticed how snuggly it fit. I plugged it into the lappie and Voila, we were back to life.. and it recharged my battery in no time even under load. I did notice it got slightly warm.. but that is normal.Its been about a month and there have been no hiccups. I really like the fact that the computer side jack is sturdier than the apple unit. I don't need an led there to tell me its charging.. thats on the finder bar anyway. I would have given it 5 stars.. but the cord is a little shorter than I would have hoped for. But hey, for $31 including shipping, I'm not going to whine! GET ONE!

In the past I paid over $80 for the Apple original equipment, only to discover that the replacement was just as poor as the first Apple charger that came with my laptop. My first original-equipment charger burned out; the second one got frayed wiring after a year or so of normal use. A third one (for a second Mac laptop) only works if I clamp pressure on the adaptor.

So I was happy to see that I could buy this "off brand" at a cheaper price. I was apprehensive about the quality, but so far it's worked great. In fact, I have two of them, one for each laptop, in fact. At less than a third of the price I previously paid for the OEM version. See: Apple Extra Portable 65W Power Adapter (for iBook and PowerBook G4). Although the price has come down on the OEM version, it's still more than double what this off-brand costs.

The only notable differences are that this adpater is slightly larger (but not a lot, so it's not a big deal) and when you plug it into the side of your laptop you don't get that glowing orange or green light on the input plug to tell you it's charging or complete. Instead, there is just a tiny, weak green LCD light on the adaptor box. Given the savings, and the poor quality of the original, who's complaining?

The adapter actually does work just fine; however, the transformer box heats up very quickly and intensely. Should you touch it after it's been in the wall for 10 minutes, you will not be able to hold it in your closed fist for fear of burning yourself. In addition, the power cord is short on one end which makes for a disappointing range from a wall-jack. Students may want to look for a product that is longer or, if it is possible, gamble on always getting the seat right next to the plug.

Works flawless! I have had no problems and it looks better than the apple one I definetly reccomend it for anyone who is looking to replace their 65W power supply from apply for the G4 series powerbooks and iBooks... even used it on a old iBook I had for a try and it worked great on that one too!

We purchase 3 of these for my wife and my PowerBook G4 Aluminum and after a few weeks, one of them died. Also, none of them wake the computers up from sleep after the battery has completely drained - we have to plug into my wife's remaining Apple power adapter. I didn't return because I didn't even feel like it would be worth the shipping for my time to deal with these.

Pay the extra $15 to $20 to get an Apple power adapter - you definitely get what you pay for!

I purchased this charger about a month ago and already the unit that plugs into my powerbook is bent. I have to really play with it in order to get it to work. THe cord is definately thicker than the one made by apple, which was my reason for replacing my original power cord, the apple one had freyed. This is the second replacement cord I have purchased and the other one I bought lasted for almost a year - I had the same problem with that one as well - the unit that plugs into my powerbook became stretched and bent and would not stay in my powerbook. I never had that problem with my genuine apple charger.

Not all chargers are the same that are purchased under this review. I also purchased a charger from another seller and it looks a little different, but I have yet to use it since I just recieved it today. I would say the if you purchase the one from brilliantstore I wouldn't get it. I have contacted them to ask for a replacement.

The deal with this is, yes, it will work and yes it is cheaper than buying Apple's overpriced replacement, however, if you plan on listening to any music with your laptop while plugged into this adapter you can forget it. Through laptop speakers it is fine, but through headphones or external speakers it will generate a very annoying hum due to the fact that it is not a grounded power supply (it has a 2 prong plug rather than three). I record music and found it nearly impossible, as it would pick up the hum from the adapter. And because my battery is nearly depleted, I could only record for a few minutes at a time, recharge and then repeat. If you are thinking about this product, I would just rip up a $20 bill or buy a grounded, Apple authorized replacement.

Well, it's not the cutie lil charger that comes with the ibook, but it'll get you by for a little while, and when you have to replace it within six months you'll be glad you didn't pay $75 for the one on macstore, which lasts about the same amount of time. Honestly, when is someone going to figure out a way to make these LAST? This is my second replacement! The original died due to the flimsy little cable wearing clean through at the point where it bends away from the insertion tip, and the second just....died. Little blue light went out and that was it. Really, these things totally bite, so you might as well get the cheapest one you can, and before you spend your time on a mad search of eBay, macstore, etc. you should know there are only three or four different types out there, including the WAY too expensive original, and this really is the cheapest you'll find.

After having had to replace the adapter on this iBook twice in 4 years, I looked for something less expensive. I found this. Unlike someone else's experience, the brick part doesn't get overly warm. It doesn't have the little LED light telling you if the battery is charged or charging, but one can see that on the machine itself. Unlike Apple's theoretically artistic, but apparently poorly made adapter, they have the intelligence to put the brick in the middle so that the plug only takes up one outlet on a surge protector.

With a cost of $23.00 vs. Apple's $79.00 one, I'll quite happily do without the little feet things that I've never used as well as the unnecessary LED light.

Sigh,it shows what nice things could be done if Apple didn't lock everyone into their hardware. 1/4 the price, perhaps not quite as good looking, but for my purposes, more convenient.