Hey, so I never paid much attention to the iBook G3 logic board repair program, namely because my computer didn't qualify originally. Thanks Apple for telling me about the change. Love that. I should send them a thank you card... And have a guy with a shnazzy uniform and a badge deliver it.
Anyway, just wanna price shop what the repair would cost in Canada, before deciding if I wanna try for round 2, or give in. Got a $350-$500 flat cost from Apple, which is probably USD.
So prices, or any other options, would be good to know. (Remember, this is used by a woman who just wants a laptop for reading/forwarding emails, instant messaging and Text Twist! We're trying to keep a low price here!)
Stores visited: Walden Galleria, Yorkdale, NORTH MICHIGAN AVE, Legacy Village, Eaton Centre, FIFTH AVENUE, SOHO, COMPANY STORE, SAN FRANCISCO, Pioneer Place, REGENT STREET, Keystone, Fairview, Square One
Computers owned: Apple IIe, Apple II+, Mac 128k, Mac IIx, LC630, Performa 6400, iMac DV SE, eMac, Mac Portable, Powerbook 100, Powerbook 540c, eMate, iBook G3&G4, iMac Core2Duo 20", MBP 13" 2010
AFAIK, any such failure in a computer over three years old never qualified, so if yours has just failed and it's over that age, there would have been no help from an Apple notice (if I understand your situation correctly).
However, if it's just a few days more than three years since the purchase date, I suggest calling again and politely asking them to make an exception for you (make a point of stressing what good care you've taken). They may not oblige, but personal experience tells me there's at least a possibility.
If that doesn't work, others will have to tell you what to expect from authorized service providers and freelancers...
Stores visited: Walden Galleria, Yorkdale, NORTH MICHIGAN AVE, Legacy Village, Eaton Centre, FIFTH AVENUE, SOHO, COMPANY STORE, SAN FRANCISCO, Pioneer Place, REGENT STREET, Keystone, Fairview, Square One
Computers owned: Apple IIe, Apple II+, Mac 128k, Mac IIx, LC630, Performa 6400, iMac DV SE, eMac, Mac Portable, Powerbook 100, Powerbook 540c, eMate, iBook G3&G4, iMac Core2Duo 20", MBP 13" 2010
Anyway, just wanna price shop what the repair would cost in Canada, before deciding if I wanna try for round 2, or give in. Got a $350-$500 flat cost from Apple, which is probably USD.
I'd call to verify. $350 seems quite low even if it is US. The board alone should be around $500 CDN depending on which iBook you have. Labor is usually 1 -1.5 hours on top of that.
If Apple will fix it for $350, it *might* be worth it. Even at that price it's a coin flip. Any more than that and I definitely wouldn't fix it. That machine has really dropped in value and not worth much more than $350. Apple service parts only have a 90 day warranty so if it fails again after that, you've wasted that cash.
I'd go looking for a used iBook G4 or even a PB G4. Likely won't cost you much more, will be faster and more reliable.
If it is more (and it probably will be) you should consider replacing it with a newer machine. You can get some value from the parts (case, RAM, airport card if you have one, battery if it's any good, HD, optical drive, power adapter). In the end it will cost you but you'll be much better off.
I went through 4 G3 logic boards before Apple replaced with a G4 which has been quite solid other than a firewire glitch which has been corrected.
good luck.
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They might if it's not long past the deadline. I personally handled one such case, and they did the repair even though the three years had been up for over a month. It probably made a difference that the machine had once had AppleCare on it (also expired by that time) and no previous repairs, but I don't know for sure. (For those keeping track, this was not my own G3 iBook, which was eventually replaced, but someone else's.)
In this case, it has been about three months since the March deadline. Definitely a longshot, but also worth asking.
But if they won't do it, I'd be inclined to agree with those who say sell it for parts and move on.
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