[Moosecat]

I've had my 12" for a couple weeks now, and I wanted to see if anyone had any advice or experience with two problems I've been having.

First, the button below the touchpad sometimes "sticks" after being pressed, then pops back up with a sort of "boing" noise. If I press it in the right place, that won't happen. But more than one person has tried the computer and said the button sticks. Is this a PowerBook problem? Or just an annoying thing about my computer?

Second, and more importantly, the battery life gauge in the title bar is totally inaccurate. When it says there's about an hour or so left, the computer will often simply go straight to sleep. I get no low-battery warning or anything. (Yes, I "calibrated" the battery in the first week of owning it... But not the first time I used it.)

As to either of these problems, could I just bring my computer to an Apple Store (I bought it at Amazon though) and expect them to help me with them? Or will they just say "We don't do warranty stuff, send it to Apple."?

[AssassyN]

First off, your sticky trackpad issue is a very common issue to many 12" PowerBooks. Mine, for one, has the same issue. Thankfully, I instinctively press my trackpad button on the left side, in which it doesn't "stick". Apple won't do anything about this as it's been an issue from day one on the 12" PBs.

Now, your battery issue sounds a bit more concerning. It sounds like you may have a faulty batter on your hands...if you walk into a retail Apple Store & explain to them how funky your battery is acting, you *should* get a new battery...however, they may want to "check it themselves" first, but usually Apple's pretty good about covering batteries under warranty, regardless of where you purchased it from.

[jsnyder]

I've had neither of these problems, though my machine is only a few days old. No sticking on the clicker and no battery issues.

I'll second the recommendation on taking it in to Apple. I had some battery issues with my iBook (was charged, decided it had zero % charge, wouldn't charge up and the iBook would shut off it I disconnected it from the mains). Apple overnighted me a battery and I sent the dead one back with the included pre-paid shipping label.

[TheBum]

I had two problems with my first 12" PB within the first two weeks of purchasing it (a sleep problem and then a dead SuperDrive) and the geniuses at the Plano, TX, Apple Store were superb in supporting me, even though it was a built-to-order machine. Each time, they were able to witness first-hand the problems I was having, wrote up the repair order, sent it in for me, and kept me updated every couple of days as to the status of the repair.

As it turned out, my first one was a lemon and Apple replaced it (since I only sent in the PB itself and not any of the other stuff in the package, I got an extra power adapter and port adapters in the bargain:-). The second one has performed like a champ in the 4.5 months since.

So, I most definitely recommend that you take it to your closest Apple Store.

[real]

I had the same problem I sent it in to apple and they fixed it it now works great. Give them a call.
real

[Moosecat]

I guess I'll take it into the Apple Store this weekend and see what they say... Seems to me that they could just give me a new battery, instead of sending one to me, but we shall see. I'll ask about the button too, although it doesn't sound too promising. Frankly, it's mildly embarrassing when people coo over my computer "Ooh, it's so small and cool," and then I let them try it and the button has a cheap mechanical problem.

Real: Which problem did you get fixed -- the sticky button or the battery?

[Angus_D]

The sticky button problem was common in the first few batches, people who complained about it have reported having it fixed. I thought they'd have it ironed it out by now, though.

[Moosecat]

Originally posted by Angus_D:
The sticky button problem was common in the first few batches, people who complained about it have reported having it fixed. I thought they'd have it ironed it out by now, though.

Actually, mine was one of the early ones (built in January, according to an Applecare guy who asked for my serial number). Perhaps Amazon had too many and that's why they had the $100 rebate that sucked me in. But it's good to know I might be able to get it fixed.

[real]

Apple said that the battery That I had wasn't bad but I requested a new one just to see. They sent hat out. I sent in the powerbook for the sticky button, it fine now. Give them a call. Everything is fine now.
real

[real]

Really have them fix it. It should not be like that at all.