Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best-selling in Laptop Power Adapters/Chargers
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This product may or may not vary in quality depending on the battery form factor specific to different notebook computers. This review is for the CWK-branded battery replacement for the Apple iBook clamshell (M6411) line. The product, when purchased in April 2018, delivered about 97 per cent of the promised charge for an OEM battery (a noticeably lower mAh rating than the CWK-promised rating). The quality of the battery's external finish was good, as was the box and anti-static sleeve in which it was shipped — on par with an Apple OEM product. Operation of the battery was nominal for about three months. During this time, coupled with an internal SSD, my own iBook could function for well over five hours on a single charge — sometimes nearing six hours under less-intensive usage. About three months after purchase, around July 2018, evidence that at least two of the eight, 18650-sized lithium cells inside the CWK battery casing had failed, when the highest charge possible dropping to 68–70%. This soon dropped again to about 54% in August 2018, indicating that at least three cells had failed. By September 2018, the maximum charge fell to 31-34%, indicating that at least 5 of the 8 cells had failed. By late October 2018, the maximum charge reported by the iBook (running Tiger 10.4.11 and powered by the original "hockey puck"-styled power supply) fell to 0% — denoting that all 8 cells had failed. Unfortunately, despite excellent product packaging, multilingual installation/charging instructions (instructions I followed to the letter), and timely shipping, there is no limited warranty for this product. It is sold, ostensibly, with "no returns". For legacy, vintage, and end-of-life products, there are very few active vendors selling replacement batteries for Apple iBook clamshells. Beyond CWK offerings on eBay and elsewhere, global stock is spotty at best. Since my own purchase earlier in 2018, this CWK-branded battery has jumped in price — from USD$34.99 to USD$148.99 (though, allowing for the imposition of U.S.-based tariffs on products made in China, from where this CWK product is sourced, the pricing may be out of this seller's control). Bottom line: Given the higher price, if you're still able to afford and can rationalize the current pricing for an aftermarket battery for your vintage clamshell iBook, you may want to become friends with someone who knows how to do things like soldering and can build a "new" battery from an old OEM casing and 8 matched 18650 lithium cells. Without even a nominal, one-year limited warranty from CWK, you're definitely on your own.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New