Should I try to salvage my iBook G4 or buy the latest MacBook?

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Should I try to salvage my iBook G4 or buy the latest MacBook?

I have a 2-year old 12' iBook G4 that died on me because coffee seeped through the keyboard. I was told I had to change the entire motherboard but knowing that will cost me a bit, I wonder if I should even bother with this as this particular model's been phased out.

However, Im not a tech junkie, I only need a basic laptop for internet surfing and writing since Im a writer - I dont want to pay for cool new features I dont need (I wouldnt mind if I had the cash to spare though :P).

Is my iBook worth salvaging? Should I just replace it with the latest MacBook? Thanks in advance for all your help.

iBook G4

Posted on Dec 30, 2007 1:21 AM

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Answer 1

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Dec 30, 2007 9:02 AM in response to wolfiegrrl

wolfiegrrl:

If coffee got into the computer it very likely shorted out the logic board, and who knows what else. Logic board replacement/repair would be about $400. I would not consider trying to salvage it if it were mine.

You have options that include a MacBook. You can also look around for agood buy of the Aluminum PowerBook G4. These are very powerful and elegant computers. You can buy used or refurbished. Of course, if you can afford it, a new MacBook will give you a great computer.

Good luck.

cornelius

Message was edited by: cornelius

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Answer 2

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Dec 30, 2007 10:35 AM in response to wolfiegrrl

wolfiegrrl,
Hi and welcome to Apple Discussions,
I would agree with Cornelius, unless this just happened less than say a month ago but you'd be taking a chance letting someone wash/rinse off the logic board.
My experience with coffee is that if it sits on the logic board for some time it's surprisingly acidic and will actually etch/corrode out the board - non repairable.

You could probably sell the iBook as parts or donate it to me. I repair them and donate to schools in the inner city. I actually have a 12" 1.2 GB logic board looking for a home. eMail me if interested.

Richard

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Answer 3

wolfiegrrl Author

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Dec 30, 2007 8:27 PM in response to cornelius

I seem to have some reservations against buying other people's used/refurbished laptops since I wont be able to tell if what they're telling me is true or if they're carefully hiding something behind their sales pitch :/... arghs!!! I dont want surprises = to have to pay for more repairs...

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Answer 4

wolfiegrrl Author

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Dec 30, 2007 8:30 PM in response to spudnuty

The technicians at my local Apple store cleaned the coffee off my logic board but told me that from now on my iBook would give me a lot of problems... they were right. Hey, thanks a lot for your offer 🙂 - but I live halfway across the world from you in Asia and I dont think its viable to buy a spare part off you, although it seems like a good idea.

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Answer 5

wolfiegrrl Author

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Dec 30, 2007 8:32 PM in response to wolfiegrrl

although buying a spare part off someone sounds like a good idea, I mean. It's better to get it from my local neighbourhood store if I intend to replace the logic board, that is.

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Answer 6

wolfiegrrl Author

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Dec 30, 2007 8:38 PM in response to cornelius

Cornelius, thanks for your tips. 🙂 It's just that my recent iBook costed me SO MUCH in repairs I got sick of paying and paying, and having the problem remain unresolved. What I meant is, it would suddenly die but a week or so, it would come back on.

But now, it's died on me for good - I havent been able to switch it on for 6 months. So, yeah, since I have so much reservations about 2nd hand stuff, I might as well just buy myself the latest Mac Book with it's 1 extendable to 3 years warranty.

Obviously, the only thing that makes me choose the conventional route is my lack of technical understanding where computers are concerned - maybe if I knew more I could choices that'll give me better value for money :/

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Answer 7

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Dec 30, 2007 11:10 PM in response to wolfiegrrl

wolfie,
So how long did the iBook work after the incident? How did they clean it?
It is possible that you have other problems that are not related to the coffee.

I wasn't offering to sell you a board. I repair Macs and donate them to inner city schools. (I'm in Chicago) and funny but my friends daughter will be in China on the 10th. She's there a lot, works for an energy foundation.

Richard

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Answer 8

wolfiegrrl Author

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Dec 31, 2007 1:04 AM in response to spudnuty

Oh, okay... 6 months ago, when the coffee tipped onto my laptop, it shut itself off immediately. I waited a week before I went to the technician, and when he tried switching it on - it came right back on, so we thought our problems were over. All he did was open it up and wipe the insides clean - that's what he said he did.

It seemed to work fine... for 2-3months, then it would just start switching itself off whenever it wanted. I had to depress the 'ON' button several times each time before I could get it to start up.I brought it back to the shop, and after tinkering with it for a while, they said it was the battery - it was apparently a recall battery, so they got me the new one.

But a week later, the problems started again. That's when they said its prob the logic board and gave me a quote on the price. But theyd have to look inside to make sure first - only thing is, it'd cost me RM150 (divide that by 3.8 of your money)... Im wondering if I should even bother :P hehe.

Then all of a sudden, it died. I havent been able to switch it on for over a month now.

I live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - still some distance from China 🙂

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Answer 9

wolfiegrrl Author

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Dec 31, 2007 1:07 AM in response to spudnuty

I guess what I meant was that I wasnt able to keep it properly switched on for these past 6 months. :/

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Answer 10

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Dec 31, 2007 7:46 AM in response to wolfiegrrl

wolfiegrrl:

Your point is well taken about buying used or refurbished. Being "halfway across the world" having AppleCare might be a good security blanket.

Good luck 🙂

cornelius

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Answer 11

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Dec 31, 2007 4:04 PM in response to wolfiegrrl

6 months ago, when the coffee tipped onto my laptop, it shut itself off immediately.

Yes so that would imply that power circuits were involved, became overloaded or went into a fault mode.

I waited a week before I went to the technician, and when he tried switching it on - it came right back on

When something like this happens, all power should be removed from the computer ASAP. Immediate action is also indicated.

so we thought our problems were over. All he did was open it up and wipe the insides clean -

The logic board should have been removed and the affected area rinsed/soaked in deionized water. Then the board should have been baked an oven to remove all moisture for 24 hrs.

Sorry that happened.

Richard

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Answer 12

S.U.

Level 6

9,601 points

Jan 1, 2008 3:10 PM in response to spudnuty

24 hours at what temperature?

BTW, would you consider writing up something comprehensive on spills for the User Tips Library? Spills come up a lot on different forums, and it would be good to have something there to post a link to. The average user can't be expected to know what to do in case of a spill, and from this thread, it sounds like even a technician who should know better was surprisingly clueless. You seem to be particularly knowledgeable about what to do and what not to do, and could make a real contribution to the library. Thanks!

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Answer 13

wolfiegrrl Author

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Jan 1, 2008 6:29 PM in response to spudnuty

{quote:title=spudnuty wrote:}You could probably sell the iBook as parts or donate it to me. I repair them and donate to schools in the inner city. I actually have a 12" 1.2 GB logic board looking for a home. eMail me if interested.{quote}

I am such a dork. I dont know why I got the opposite idea and replied so fast. Sorry 😟 Anyways, I was thinking of salvaging my hard drive from my ole iBook if I were ever to buy a new one. I think 'hard drive' is the correct part here - my neighbour, who's good with PCs told me, before he left for a long holiday abroad, that there's a certain part that's still salvageable that I can use it to save my files on, like a backup.

He's coming back middle January and Ive still got some thinking to do. If I decide to get a new MacBook, Id prob keep that part and throw away the rest...

OR, I could install a completely new logicboard and use my old iBook as a backup, you know, if I were to travel overseas, a laptop I dont need to worry too much about it getting lost or stolen, could come in handy not to mention I dont have to worry too much about it. :/

And thanks for the welcome! 🙂

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Answer 14

wolfiegrrl Author

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Jan 1, 2008 6:25 PM in response to cornelius

{quote:title=cornelius wrote:}
Being "halfway across the world" having AppleCare might be a good security blanket.
{quote}

Hi Cornelius. We do have that over here. And yea, I wont do without an AppleCare insurance next time. We live and learn! 🙂

Ive got a question for you, if you dont mind: Would it be better value for my money if I were to completely replace the logic board of my old iBook than buy a good, used Aluminum PowerBook G4 (assuming I dont have the reservations I have...)

Message was edited by: wolfiegrrl

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Answer 15

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jan 1, 2008 6:58 PM in response to wolfiegrrl

wolfiegrrl:

1. Salvaging your old HDD is a good idea. Removing the HDD from the computer is quite an intensive job, but quite doable if you can manage a screwdriver and be focused. You will find directions at ifixit. If you decide to go that route please post back for some tips.

2. If you salvage your old HDD you can place it in an external FW enclosure and use it as an external HDD.

3. I do not think repairing/replacing the logic board is financially advisable. The money you put into it can go toward a new computer. You may sell the old iBook for parts, as there may be parts that are salvagable and useful to others. e.g. the HDD ribbon cable, the monitor itself, RAM etc.

4. The Aluminum PowerBook G4s are very good computers. They are not as powerful as the Intel Macs, but they are plenty powerful enough for most ordinary users. If I were to replace my old Pismo, that is most likely what I would choose for myself. Another argument in favor of the PB G4 (or any PPC computer) is that everything you now have on your iBook G4 by way of applications, will be instantly compatible. With Intel Macs some things may be different.

Obviously you will want to be careful about what you buy. Be aware, too, that one can easily get a brand new computer that comes with issues, as an older one. One of my daughters has the 12" PB G4 1.5 GHz and loves it dearly; one of my grandsons has the 15" PB G4 1.67 GHz and loves it. Both of these computers were bought on eBay, too! If you are interested in pursuing this further and need some pointers, I will be glad to share some information.

Good luck 🙂

cornelius

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