Get the serial number and check on the Apple website if it falls inside the iBook motherboard repair program. If it does, I would not suggest buying it, except for a paltry sum of money, perhaps (under $200). Those models have a habit of being in and out of the repair shop on a regular basis due to a design issue.
Get the serial number and check on the Apple website if it falls inside the iBook motherboard repair program. If it does, I would not suggest buying it, except for a paltry sum of money, perhaps (under $200). Those models have a habit of being in and out of the repair shop on a regular basis due to a design issue.
It it qualifies for the repair program, I'd go for it. Those iBooks are great little machines, despite the risk of a failed logic board. But if it does fail, I'd rather know for certain that I can send it right in and get it fixed. Apple's service, in my experience, is extraordinary.
Also, from purely anecdotal experience, Apple seems to have figured out a fix to the problem. I don't think folks are going through a motherboard every few months anymore. If it's already been repaired within the last year, it'll likely be trouble-free.
Oh, and if you do buy it, pick up one of the new, higher-capacity iBook batteries from Apple. 5 hours of real work with those babies. Best 130 bucks I've spent in a while.
Well I guess that makes my one anectodotal experience balance out yours. It would certainly be good to know that Apple has finally gotten a grasp on the defect, but since this is unclear yes or no, then it is only fair to warn this potential buyer of what he may be getting into. Maybe he'll be lucky and will never have to take it to the shop, or maybe he will blow a motherboard every 3 mos? I'd be pretty leary if those were the possibilities. Hence, check the service history via the S/N. That should give an indication of the expected service behavior for the unit. If the seller refuses to disclose the S/N, it's only prudent to assume the worst- hence, only offer to pay for the unit assuming it is subject to the worst. My estimation tells me that about $200 would be all its worth if I were to put up with sending the unit away every 3 mos to fix a persistently frying motherboard.
Comments
Originally posted by Randycat99
Get the serial number and check on the Apple website if it falls inside the iBook motherboard repair program. If it does, I would not suggest buying it, except for a paltry sum of money, perhaps (under $200). Those models have a habit of being in and out of the repair shop on a regular basis due to a design issue.
It it qualifies for the repair program, I'd go for it. Those iBooks are great little machines, despite the risk of a failed logic board. But if it does fail, I'd rather know for certain that I can send it right in and get it fixed. Apple's service, in my experience, is extraordinary.
Also, from purely anecdotal experience, Apple seems to have figured out a fix to the problem. I don't think folks are going through a motherboard every few months anymore. If it's already been repaired within the last year, it'll likely be trouble-free.
Oh, and if you do buy it, pick up one of the new, higher-capacity iBook batteries from Apple. 5 hours of real work with those babies. Best 130 bucks I've spent in a while.