Apple Battery Recall

A couple of weeks ago, our Powerbook G4 (I know, we're out-of-date) started refusing to hold a charge for longer than 20 minutes. At first, I thought it was a software glitch: the OS was shutting down the computer erroneously. After all, I kept the battery fully-charged at all times, as any good user should.

Right? Nope.

Laptop batteries kept fully charged somehow lose their ability to hold one. These batteries are like bodies--they have to work out in order to stay fit. And by working out, I mean, you have to use them without a connection to a power source.

So, for the first time ever, I've been running the laptop without any wires. We've had wifi for nearly a year now, but I've generally kept it tethered to the utility company. It's a little scary, sure, watching that battery meter tick down to 10% (and below!). At the same time, being able to move about freely, without worrying about the power cord popping out (which they're prone to), is quite liberating. Look, ma, no wires!

In any case, shortly after we purchased the new battery, Apple recalled 1.8 million batteries. They've issued similar (smaller) recalls in the past, and, like a good Apple fanboy, I dutifully checked to see if our battery was one of them. It never was, and I assumed this latest recall would be the same story and didn't bother.

But when Khoi Vinh wrote about his troubles returning a recalled battery (he entered USA for "county"), it prompted me to just check the serial number of old dead battery. Lo, it qualified!

We'll be getting a new battery within 4-6 weeks. Which means we'll have two! Spares are always appreciated.

(Hmm, I should maybe check the serial number of the new battery we just purchased.)