BinaryWolf

No Charge for iBook G4 Case Repair

Recently I inherited an older Mac laptop, the iBook G4. The locking ring for the battery compartment was damaged, so the battery would drop out when anyone picked up the laptop.

Attempting to figure out how to fix this I viewed a how to guide on repairing an iBook broken bottom case. The case (Apple Part #922-6148) was available for $29.95 from the same site. It was doable, but I had another option.

Fortunately, when it was purchased, the original owner bought the 3-year AppleCare Protection Plan for $249.00. It was (is) still in effect so I brought my iBook to the local Apple Store. They took it and told me it would be ready in a few days. When I went in to pick it up, I looked at my receipt and was amazed at what I would have been charged: $135.00 for labor and $54.69 for the lower case for a grand total of $189.69!

The extended warranty was a good investment, but when it eventually runs out I’ll remember the Mac repair do-it-yourself guides at ifixit.com.

Tags: iBook G4, AppleCare Protection Plan, Mac repair