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Trish Benedict
Level 1 (5 points)

Q: Use of G3 iBook AC adapter on a Pismo?

The AC adapter for my old clamshell iBook (G3/200) physically fits my step-daughter's Pismo, but is it safe to use? She runs her whole business on her trusty Pismo, but her cord is having problems (unspecified) and she's leaving on a big trip Wed.

Is it safe for her to use my old cord? Temporarily? Permanently? Years ago when my cord died, I used hers - but that was stepping down; this is stepping up and she's concerned about plugging it in and frying her Pismo.

Thanks!

20" G5 iMac, 12" DVI PB. 80GB video iPod, Newton 2100 & misc oldies, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 27, 2007 7:51 PM

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Trish Benedict

Q: Use of G3 iBook AC adapter on a Pismo?

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  • by Sagesse,Helpful

    Sagesse Sagesse Jul 27, 2007 8:43 PM in response to Trish Benedict
    Level 5 (6,685 points)
    Jul 27, 2007 8:43 PM in response to Trish Benedict
    Welcome to Apple Discussions, Trish Benedict!

    Check the output voltage and amps on both. If yours has the same voltage and the same or greater amps, you will be fine. My memory is that it is ok, but I wouldn't trust my laptop to my memory alone.

    Message was edited by: Sagesse

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Helpful

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Jul 27, 2007 9:38 PM in response to Trish Benedict
    Level 9 (61,292 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 27, 2007 9:38 PM in response to Trish Benedict
    The clamshell iBook and PowerBook G3 series do indeed use the same power adapter, the yo-yo shaped version of which which has a translucent computer-end plug.

    The later iBooks use an adapter with a slightly smaller outer ring, and the computer-end plug is black instead of translucent. These will not fit.

    The worst thing that can happen is that the 'book will not charge and run at the same time -- it may have to sleep or shutdown to charge.

  • by Trish Benedict,

    Trish Benedict Trish Benedict Jul 28, 2007 11:09 AM in response to Trish Benedict
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jul 28, 2007 11:09 AM in response to Trish Benedict
    Thanks for the replies. Both the Pismo and the clamshell iBook are 45 watts. But the amperage was slightly different, I believe (they're both at my step-daughter's, so I can't check them).
    Would a different amperage be a problem if the wattage is the same?

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Jul 28, 2007 12:22 PM in response to Trish Benedict
    Level 9 (61,292 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 28, 2007 12:22 PM in response to Trish Benedict
    Don't take my word for it, take a look at this article. The other name for the Pismo is the PowerBook G3 Series (FireWire). The top box in the table has it and the original clamshell iBook listed with the same power adapter. If you scroll down a bit, the top picture is of that exact same adapter. Note that the Computer-end cord connector is translucent, not black. Note that the part numbers listed are marketing numbers, and do not appear on the adapter itself.

    75448- Apple Portables: Identifying the right power adapter and power cord--US

  • by Trish Benedict,

    Trish Benedict Trish Benedict Jul 30, 2007 9:36 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jul 30, 2007 9:36 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    It isn't that I doubt your word, just that my step-daughter said that the two laptops stated different amperages and she wanted to make sure she didn't cause her aging Pismo any distress. Had it been mine, I would have just tried the other power cord, but, then, I'm not running my entire life's business off of one aging computer.

    (Why doesn't she upgrade, you ask? Because the new ones are so hot and, frankly, uncomfortable. For the same reason I moan longingly for my old clamshell with the soft rounded corners. Her husband has a 17" MacBook Pro and I have a 12" G4 PB and we're both unhappy with how hot they run - and on my smaller one how sharp the front edges are under my palms. The metallic ones are much sleeker than the G3 PB models, but there's a trade-off in comfort.)

    Anyway, she made the trek to a computer recycling place in the next county and bought a couple of power cords, so all is well.

    Thanks to both of you for your input!

    Trish