Batteries and Adapters

This chapter lists Apple batteries and adapters for older PowerBook models.

PowerBook 100 (Lead-acid) Battery

Apple has only offered one battery for the PowerBook 100.  This battery is a lead-acid cell, and should never be allowed to fully discharge.

Model introduced             Rating       Apple part #
-----------------------   -------------   ------------
PowerBook 100                  n/a           M3053

PowerBook 140-180c (NiCad) Batteries

As Apple has introduced new PowerBooks, they have also been increasing the charge capacity of their accompanying NiCad batteries, due to the higher power requirements of the newest models.  These batteries are interchangeable, but using the old 2.5Ah battery in a 165c or 180c will give you a very short battery life.

Model introduced             Rating       Apple part #
-----------------------   -------------   ------------
PowerBook 140, 145, 170   2.5 amp-hours      M5417
PowerBook 160, 180        2.8 amp-hours      M5653
PowerBook 165c, 180c      2.9 amp-hours      M5654

PowerBook Duo batteries

The original Duos shipped with what is now known as the Type I Duo battery.  At the time they didn't know that there were going to be more, so it isn't labeled this way.  The Type II and Type III batteries that followed have a label in the upper right corner identifying them, which is good, because they share the same Apple model number.

Anecdotal measurements indicate that the Type II and Type III batteries are quite close to each other in capacity - 1.35Ah and 1.45Ah, respectively.

Battery model             Apple part #
-----------------------   ------------
Duo Type I                   M7782
Duo Type II                  M1499 (Type II and III share same model)
Duo Type III                 M1499

PowerBook 500 batteries

The PowerBook 500's shipped with a special, "Intelligent" battery.  Unfortunately, this battery can get easily confused, and requires special utilities from Apple or other companies to straighten it out.

Battery model                  Apple part #
-----------------------        ------------
PowerBook Intelligent Battery     M1906

PowerBook 100-180c AC adapters

Apple has also been busy upgrading the battery chargers.  Note that while all chargers work with all PowerBooks, charging a newer PowerBook on an older charger may take longer.  Note that the M5140 model has a design flaw - a plastic ring around the tip of the plug inserted into the PowerBook can crack, and will blow the PowerBook's fuse if it shorts out.  Note that Apple warns against using adapters that produce more than 19 watts with the PowerBook 100 and PowerBook 150.

Model                          Rating       Apple part #
-----------------------   ---------------   ------------
PowerBook 100-170         15 watts output
     M5140
PowerBook 160, 180        17 watts output
     M5651
PowerBook 165c, 180c     
24 watts output
     M5652
PowerBook 150             17 watts output      APS-17adp

PowerBook Duo AC adapters

Apple updated the original Duo adapter to a more powerful one with the release of the Duo 270c.

Model                          Rating       Apple part #
-----------------------   ---------------   ------------
Duo 210, 230, 250         1.0 amps output
     M7783
Duo 270c, 280, 280c       1.5 amps output
     M2693

PowerBook 500 AC adapters

The adapter for the PowerBook 500's is unique, due to the PowerBook 500's ability to hold two batteries.  The adapter actually contains two separate power supplies.  If the PowerBook is running, one power supply runs the PowerBook, while the other supply recharges the batteries in sequence.  If the PowerBook is asleep or shut down, both batteries are recharged simultaneously.

Model                             Rating         Apple part #
-----------------------   ---------------------  ------------
PowerBook 500's           1.0 & 1.5 amps output      M1893

PowerBook 100 Battery Charger

Apple has only offered one battery charger for the PowerBook 100.

Model                                 Apple part #
-----------------------------------   ------------
PowerBook 100 battery charger          M5130LL/A

PowerBook 140-180c Battery Charger

This battery charger uses the PowerBook AC adapter to provide power.

Model                                 Apple part #
-----------------------------------   ------------
PowerBook 140-180c battery charger     M1027LL/A

PowerBook Duo Battery Chargers

The first Duo charger can only handle Type I batteries, but the new adapter handles all three types of Duo batteries.

Model                                 Apple part #
-----------------------------------   ------------
Duo Type I battery charger               M7778
Duo Type I, II, III battery charger      M1812