Long Waits for Powerbook, iBook Power Adapters; Select Stores Have Them

As a none-too-thrilled but recent purchaser of a replacement power adapter for my increasingly creaky original 12" Powerbook G4 myself, I was surprised to learn from reader Natalie that the company was in excessively short supply of the accessory.

I immediately went to my local Apple Store in San Francisco, to get anotherone since it was covered under my warranty. The manager and employees toldme it wouuld take 3-5 business days. I was not thrilled by this anddemanded that they either overnight one to me or locate one at another applestore. The manager said they would do no such thing and basically pushedme out of the store.

Seven days go by and still no call from Apple store regarding my adaptor. I
called the store back and now they're telling me that it will be another4-6 weeks until I get my adaptor. I was livid, because not only had APPLE
misrepresented to me that I would be receiving a new adapter in 3-5 businessdays, no one had even called me with this information.

I did some research, and there's an interesting resolution to this story. First, San Francisco's Apple Store does have some of the 65W power adapter for Powerbooks and iBooks in stock, as of about 15 minutes ago. However, the online Apple Store is totally sold out and is quoting a delivery date of three to four weeks down the line. When I inquired about the adapters at the store, I was told that the San Francisco location was one of a very few stores in the Bay Area with stock. So Natalie, if you're reading, call the store know to make a reservation!

Any guesses as to what's up with Apple's shortage here? Are they trying to push people to MagSafe machines or is it just an underestimate of demand?