Can i use iBook G4 Charger?

Question

Mark Thornton Author

Level 3

581 points

Can i use iBook G4 Charger?

I have a charger for a G4 iBook, can i use it on my forthcoming Powerbook G4 15"

Thanks.

iMac 24"Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Sep 10, 2010 5:37 AM

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Answer 1

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Sep 10, 2010 5:25 PM in response to Mark Thornton

Yes, you can use it. It's probably a 45W adapter, though, and if it is, it may not charge your Powerbook while it runs, or when it's working particularly hard. And it will charge the Powerbook more slowly under most circumstances than the standard 65W Powerbook adapter, though the difference may not bother you depending on your charging habits.

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Answer 2

Mark Thornton Author

Level 3

581 points

Sep 11, 2010 9:11 PM in response to eww

Thanks, I actually recieved the laptop today and it came with a 45w charger for some reason? Two issues: It works fine but firstly the light is green all the time even when it's charging the battery? Secondly, when i let it run right down and the laptop goes to sleep, it won't boot for a while, even when plugged into the mains, needs five minutes or so before it will boot then it's fine?

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Answer 3

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Sep 12, 2010 5:53 AM in response to Mark Thornton

You were sent the wrong AC adapter for your machine. All 15" and 17" Aluminum PB G4s came with 65W adapters, and should be used with 65W adapters for best performance and convenience. Furthermore, it sounds as though the 45W adapter you received may be defective, given the fact that the light on its plug is green even when it's charging your battery.

If you have a working iBook adapter, connect that to the Powerbook and see whether the light on its plug is orange when it's charging.

Regardless of how that test turns out, you should demand a properly functioning 65W adapter from the seller.

EDIT/CORRECTION: When I posted the above, I was thinking you had definitely identified your 15" Powerbook as one of the Aluminum models. In rereading your original post afterward, though, I realized that you hadn't. If it's a Titanium PB with a processor speed of 800MHz or slower, a 45W adapter is correct for it. The adapter's plug should light orange when it's charging, though, and if yours doesn't, it's not working right.

Message was edited by: eww

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Answer 4

Mark Thornton Author

Level 3

581 points

Sep 12, 2010 11:25 AM in response to eww

Thanks, It is a 1.5ghz aluminum 15" model. I bought it from ebay and i've also noticed the battery is a third party replacement, will this also not help? I'm actually in dispute because although the laptop works it is very tatty and for me would need a new outer lid and bottom case. Also if i need to by a 65w adaptor and a new battery it's not worth it. It also has white patches on the screen and the lower ram slot appears to be faulty. All in all a bad experience and i can't get a response from the buyer yet!

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Answer 5

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Sep 12, 2010 4:58 PM in response to Mark Thornton

Sounds like you got a dog, though a third-party battery might be perfectly OK (there aren't any more new Apple-branded ones, as far as I know). Of course the battery's actual performance would determine whether you needed to replace it or not, regardless of its brand. As for the rest of your purchase, it doesn't sound good, particularly if you weren't told it had a bad RAM slot.

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Answer 6

ggarthe

Level 1

70 points

Sep 13, 2010 6:23 PM in response to Mark Thornton

Something else to be mindful of, when using that 45W power adapter on your machine, especially if it is running and working, the adapter will get HOT!! VERY HOT!! Some time ago I ordered a used machine (867 TIPB) that should have come with a 65W and they sent me a 45W. After about an hour of use, I'm willing to bet that I could have cooked an egg on the power adapter, it got that hot. While the 45W will power your machine, I would make it a priority to get a 65W adapter.

G

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