The independent Apple authorized service provider may be able and willing
to look at, diagnose, and perhaps repair an old obsolete or over-the-hill Mac
that is considered beyond 'vintage'. Parts and persons with selective skill to
work on those older models, may be harder to come by; and you may find it
prudent to contact some product Specialist whose interest in repair of Apple
portable computers includes old models through most recent ones. Qualified.
You can mail your computer in a padded box to several quality service companies
and some of those do significant regional, national, and international repair service.
The symptom of your PowerBook issue may also relate to a failed DC-in Board, so
in the course of troubleshooting, that may be one of the parts to be replaced. While
the computer is open, after sufficient diagnostic testing, is a great time to replace as
many parts as the situation warrants... within reason. You can get a repaired portable
Mac much less than your own model total costs may be, with a limited guarantee.
For those with pristine condition computers that need restorative repairs, you may
need to shop around and actually talk about them with companies who can do it.
Don't be afraid to send your portable on a lengthy distance for a medical vacation
as the parts + services can be more affordable; some shops really know their stuff.
I was given a 12-inch PowerBook G4 1.5GHz model, with several issues, and was
able to make it charge up enough to troubleshoot the other issues; if the case were
in far better cosmetic condition, it would be about break-even on value to send it off
on a medical vacation to wegenermedia.com for an overhaul. But I have others that
would be higher on the list to be repaired or at least upgraded to run better, first.
Anyway, sometimes you can find a restored or repaired guaranteed PowerPC G4
portable Apple computer for a fair price; if you need to run the software vintage still.
Good luck in any event...! 😎
