Travel Technology - The important Apple iBook part that can't be bought

I bought my iBook G4 last April, but in less than a year have already gone through three power adapters. I love the iBook (I've been using Macs since 1993) but the plug on the power supply that goes into the side of the computer is very flimsy. With my extensive travel and no separate case to put the power supply in, the metal edge of the plug bends, and the pin that provides power to the battery breaks. The only feasible way I've found to protect the plug when I put it in my bag (short of not taking the power supply with me on trips :) ) is to cover it with the clear plastic cap that comes with the charger when purchased. Problem is, the plastic cap is so small that it's easy to lose.

I was at a Starbucks yesterday and the plastic cap fell on the floor. I would have lost the cap had the person sitting next to me not spotted it under my chair. Just out of curiosity, I called the local Apple Store as well as 1-800-MY-APPLE to see if they carried replacement caps, and both said that they did not think Apple sold the protective caps by themselves. Nor does Apple sell a hard case to protect the entire power supply.

This is ridiculous. Once I lose the clear plastic cap, it's just a matter of time before the metal plug and pin will bend and break from being jostled around in my laptop bag...and then it'll be time to shell out another $80 for a replacement power supply. :mad:

Does anyone have suggestions (a better laptop bag, perhaps?) for protecting the plug on my iBook charger?

Yeah my HP Pavillion zd7000 evidently suffers from the same problem, based on user reports.

Can you get ahold of the Apple Service Manual for your laptop? They usually show all the parts and their corresponding part numbers. It might be listed and then you can Google it...

Hmm, why don't you find someone with a drill press, and make a protective cover out of small block of wood (something the size of a pool cue chalk holder)? If you're creative, you can find an appropriate sized rubber washer from a local plumbing shop, recess it into a slightly larger hole of the block of wood, and now you have a plug protector that makes a familiar noise when dropped to the floor, and holds snug onto your adapter plug! :)

An alternative is to buy a Targus universal power supply, that has interchangeable tips, and buy several extra tips for your iBook!

Pack power supply in a smaller case inside computer case. One friend uses empty FC amenity kits (this would be the rather anal friend who has a smaller case for each component he uses in travel :D ). I use a small black padded cosmetic case purchased solely for this purpose. <$5 at corner drugstore.

I bought my iBook G4 last April, but in less than a year have already gone through three power adapters. I love the iBook (I've been using Macs since 1993) but the plug on the power supply that goes into the side of the computer is very flimsy. With my extensive travel and no separate case to put the power supply in, the metal edge of the plug bends, and the pin that provides power to the battery breaks. The only feasible way I've found to protect the plug when I put it in my bag (short of not taking the power supply with me on trips :) ) is to cover it with the clear plastic cap that comes with the charger when purchased. Problem is, the plastic cap is so small that it's easy to lose.

I was at a Starbucks yesterday and the plastic cap fell on the floor. I would have lost the cap had the person sitting next to me not spotted it under my chair. Just out of curiosity, I called the local Apple Store as well as 1-800-MY-APPLE to see if they carried replacement caps, and both said that they did not think Apple sold the protective caps by themselves. Nor does Apple sell a hard case to protect the entire power supply.

This is ridiculous. Once I lose the clear plastic cap, it's just a matter of time before the metal plug and pin will bend and break from being jostled around in my laptop bag...and then it'll be time to shell out another $80 for a replacement power supply. :mad:

Does anyone have suggestions (a better laptop bag, perhaps?) for protecting the plug on my iBook charger?

wahooflyer,

I have one of the caps. If you want it - it's yours. Just PM me if you do want me to send it out to you.

-RKG

They should replace those under warrantee for the 1st year, up to 3 years if you have Applecare.

I think you may be very rough on your plugs. As a consultant, I travel with my power brick every day. I dump it in my backpack, use it on site, then pack it up and use it at the hotel every night. The center pin has never broken in over a year. My old powerbook uses a similar plug, and that hasn't broken in over 3 years.

Do you wind the cord up when you put it away, or just dump it in your bag?

Maybe instead of getting the apple power supply you should splurge and get an iGo (http://www.igo.com).

If you lose or break a tip they are just $9.99 to replace.

:D

Wahooflyer-

I can prolly get you as many of these as you need. Just PM me.

Also, you might consider putting the adapter in a pouch before putting in your laptop case. My favorite is actually a 3-pack I got from Home Depot of canvas pouches, varying in size and held together on a caribiner. I think it was around or under $10. The largest was plenty big enough for the power adapter, IIRC.

Also, are you aware of the little wings that come out of the white, square brick to wind the thinner cord up? very handy. Usually I wind mine up and stick the plug down the center of this. Seems to work well. If you haven't ever noticed these, check the corners closest to the thinner cord. You can flip the corners out and wind your cord around them. It's muy nifty.

-SWise

How about a rubber band and a bit of bubble wrap?

-David

Pack power supply in a smaller case inside computer case. One friend uses empty FC amenity kits (this would be the rather anal friend who has a smaller case for each component he uses in travel :D ). I use a small black padded cosmetic case purchased solely for this purpose. <$5 at corner drugstore.

I also do the same with my array of power supplies and take it a step further by using zip lock freezer bags within the case to avoid the tangle issue.

Maybe instead of getting the apple power supply you should splurge and get an iGo (http://www.igo.com).

If you lose or break a tip they are just $9.99 to replace.

:D

I have gone thru three igo's this year so far, had to purchase new cables as they are not as good as Apples. Get a Toothbrush cover and use that for the cap if you need more of thouse plastic tops. It is close to the cover as you can get and at any Wallgreens!


~icorproadie

How about a rubber band and a bit of bubble wrap?

My thoughts similar... take some "egg shell" foam packing material stuff, cut out a piece, cut a place to cover the tip (but make it tight) and put the hat/cozy on your tip instead of the plastic one.

Also works as a makeshift windscreen for a cheap usb microphone. :p

I've been travelling with my iBook G3 extensively for 3 years now and haven't had a problem with bending the plug. I lost the plug cover within a few weeks of getting the iBook. I did have a short in the cord that developed from when you wrap the cord around the square brick. Fortunately, it's covered under the AppleCare warranty-which I highly recommend.

My iBook has recently been replaced by my "just arrived via FEDEX" PB G4! :D

I have gone thru three igo's this year so far, had to purchase new cables as they are not as good as Apples. Get a Toothbrush cover and use that for the cap if you need more of thouse plastic tops. It is close to the cover as you can get and at any Wallgreens!


~icorproadie

Y'know, this is an awfully good idea and quite clever @ that.

I second those who say you must be horribly rough on your gear. I've had my 12" AlBook for 2 years now and have been through 2 bricks. On each, the strain relief near the round plug cracked away, revealing bare wires, but I've never actually bent the metal shield or damaged the pin.
I take mine with me everywhere, on client visits, to the office, to home, crammed in the seat pocket in front of me, etc. and have had to replace bricks, but nothing w/ that level of damage.

Are you wrapping the cord around the cleats on the brick and using the little clip that's on the cord? When packing mine I do that and pull the larger cord from the brick itself and store that in a seperate pocket. It reduces the bulk of the whole thing and the brick fits neatly into one side pocket of my laptop bag and the cord into the other with my Lind Auto/Air Adapter.

Are you wrapping the cord around the cleats on the brick and using the little clip that's on the cord?

Yep, sure am. And two days ago, both the metal shield and the pin bent slightly while in my bag. I've now lost the plastic cap yet again and haven't been able to get a hold of a new one. A toothbrush cover seems like a good idea in the meantime.

I'm not going to try to bend the pin back as it still fits (tightly) in my iBook, since if I bend it there's more of a risk of breaking it.

Perhaps one of the reasons I'm so rough on the power supply is that i don't have a separate pocket for it in my laptop bag; I try to put it on top of everything else when loading the bag but it undoubtedly slides to the bottom of the bag and gets crushed by other items.