[ericssonboi]

Hey all..

I've just switched over... yes.. another PC user..
and i've already tried doing a search on this topic.

I just purchased a used Rev C - 12" PB 1.33Ghz with 512mb ram..

I'm just wondering what are common symptoms of the Powerbook.

I still have about 4 months in the manufactor warranty..
And i'm still deciding if i should shell out the $400+ on AppleCare

I've read about trackpad issues .. but is there anything else common i should know about.

And would all Powerbook users recommend buying AppleCare?
I'm a student on a budget.. and considering i got the laptop for a good deal.. I'd prefer to keep the expenses low..

Thanks for any feedback..

[Dr.Michael]

Originally posted by ericssonboi:
Hey all..

I've just switched over... yes.. another PC user..
and i've already tried doing a search on this topic.

I just purchased a used Rev C - 12" PB 1.33Ghz with 512mb ram..

I'm just wondering what are common symptoms of the Powerbook.

I still have about 4 months in the manufactor warranty..
And i'm still deciding if i should shell out the $400+ on AppleCare

I've read about trackpad issues .. but is there anything else common i should know about.

And would all Powerbook users recommend buying AppleCare?
I'm a student on a budget.. and considering i got the laptop for a good deal.. I'd prefer to keep the expenses low..

Thanks for any feedback..

My strategy with my rev b was the following:
- look through this and other forums what problems arise (you have 4 more months to do that). That will give you a good overview.
- calculate what the commom problems will cost if you buy parts and fix the problem yourself (200 for a new optical drive, 50 for a backlight etc.)

In the end I did not buy apple care. It looks like the 12 inch machines are tanks. Within the last year there was no serious problem reported. And, very important, within 3 years I am sure (100%) that I will exchange my hd with a larger or faster one. This would void apple care and make the investment useless (unless I would pay one of these horribly expensive dealer replacements). Since there seem to be no problems with the powerbook I did not buy apple care.

Many people will tell you thats a risk. Thats as true as it would be true for every investment. But you gain freedom.
Maybe its also worth to think about if you are one of these guys who break everything or if you know how to treat your things right. And if you know how to handle a screwdriver or not.

[ericssonboi]

Thanks for the reply.

I tried looking for problems of the 12" PB on this forum... but didn't really find any.

Kind of off topic... but what other Mac/Apple forums are there?

As for the hard drive... i've read about how the hard drive makes noises or it might die out... but like you said... I'll probably upgrade it down the road after i recover from this purchase.

The other point you brought up... "Whether or not if I break everything or if I know how to treat your things right"... I've also read about; how many users have damaged their PB from dropping it and damaging corners of it. When they sent it in, Apple refused the claim... so regardless... Applecare would be useless.

I guess i'll just give a few more months..

[Dr.Michael]

Originally posted by ericssonboi:
Thanks for the reply.

I tried looking for problems of the 12" PB on this forum... but didn't really find any.

I think there are few if any

Kind of off topic... but what other Mac/Apple forums are there?

For example on the apple site under support/discussions. But its mainly the same as here.

The other point you brought up... "Whether or not if I break everything or if I know how to treat your things right"... I've also read about; how many users have damaged their PB from dropping it and damaging corners of it. When they sent it in, Apple refused the claim... so regardless... Applecare would be useless.

Yes of course. Apple care is an extended warranty no damage insurance.

I guess i'll just give a few more months..

Thats a good idea.

[iREZ]

I lucked out and got my Applecare plan for $100 when I bought my PB (I'm a Trojan fan for life, but god bless Ackerman at UCLA and their cheap deals on Macs). If your worried about accidental damage just get insurance on your book and you should be fine (Safeware is a good choice). Even if they don't cover manufacturer defects, you could always accidently drop it one story up and pray for the worst to get a replacement, just make sure you don't get caught .

[romeosc]

I agree with buyinfg Safeware insurance. Covers much more than mechanical breakdown. The price of a used Ibook are not much more than the cost of the good parts of your ibook on Ebay, (much less cost of AppleCare)