Apple iBook G4 Battery

Be aware of the way you use your iBook G4 laptop, as it may be draining your battery and killing off its overall capacity. Apple Support says it's best to keep the battery juices flowing and gives the example of a commuter who uses their laptop on the train then plugs it in to charge at work. Someone who leaves the iBook plugged in all the time should consider charging and discharging their battery at least once a month.

It's recommended that if you don't use your G4 or computer notebook for more than six months of the year, that you store the battery with a 50% charge. Storing it fully charged could make it lose its full capacity, while storing it with no charge could render it useless.

There's several other settings on your iBook G4 laptop computer that can drain your battery. Two of the biggest energy drains can come from not setting your Energy Saver control panel, and keeping the screen brightness level adjusted. An example that Apple support site gives is to dim your screen if you're watching a DVD movie on an airplane or somewhere it is dark and you don't need a lot of light.

If you use Airport Wireless to connect to an internet network, leaving it on even when you're not using the internet can be a drain on your battery power. The same goes for the use of the Bluetooth Wireless. Turn these off when not in use to maximize your battery. Also make sure to shut off applications you're not using and disconnect any peripherals which can also cause the power to be drained from your battery.

Make sure to always update your Apple iBook G4 because sometimes Apple will provide battery and energy updates. To check for the latest updates simply go to the Apple menu tab at the top, far left of your screen and choose "Software Update".

You can recalibrate your iBook G4's lithium ion for maximum performance.  In fact, you should do this from time to time to keep your battery operating at full efficiency.  It's recommended you do this procedure right after you first buy the iBook, and then every few months to keep the onscreen battery time and percent charge display accurate.  If you tend to leave your iBook G4 plugged into AC power a lot and don't use the battery, consider using these steps monthly to calibrate the battery.

First plug in the power adapter to fully charge your iBook's battery. You'll know the battery is fully charged when you see the adaptor plug in your iBook go from amber to green color.  Also, the battery indicator light will go off.

Second, unplug the power adaptor from your iBook G4 laptop.  Use the laptop until you see the battery start to get low, indicated by a warning dialog on screen. Continue using the laptop until it is eventually forced to go to sleep.  At this point your battery has been fully drained.

Third, reconnect the power adaptor and allow the battery to full charge again.  This completes the recalibration process for your iBook G4 battery.

While this may not apply to everyone, it's important to know that Apple offers a battery exchange program for certain iBook G4 batteries.  The batteries were manufactured by Sony Corporation and may result in overheating under very rare circumstances.  If you purchased a12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 or 15-inch PowerBook G4 between October 2003 and August 2006, you may have one of these batteries.  Apple will provide you with a replacement battery free of charge if you've got one of the affected batteries.  You will need to provide Apple with the serial number of your iBook G4, the serial number of your iBook G4 Battery and your shipping address.  Once your serial numbers are verified, a new battery will be sent to you by Apple free of charge, and you will need to return the bad battery to Apple in the same package.

Full details on Apple's iBook G4 Battery exchange here.