iBook G4

#1 Fri, 2 Apr 2010 - 03:59 68kMLA

hey-

just got a used iBook G4 from the bay, only $99! 8-o only problem is, the trackpad's faulty... so i bought a new top case for $12.99!. unfortunately, it didn't come with a charger, so i got one of those too, for only $10.50. total: $122.

here's the specs:

800MHz powerpc g4 processor

12.1" TFT Display

Airport, Bluetooth combo

DVD\CD-RW drive

512MB RAM

30GB HD

Reaction: WOOT!

Now All i have to do is maintain sanity while i wait very Impatiently for it to get here (takes a while to ship from Ohio To Cal.)

Also, anyoneone have information on how to replace the top case? any help would be appreciated!

-CT

#2 Fri, 2 Apr 2010 - 04:43 68kMLA

Be very, very, very careful replacing the top case, especially when replacing the power switch. I destroyed an iBook that way ($700 down the drain). iFixit will give you all you need to know, but be VERY VERY CAREFUL.

Working on iBooken except for very simple things like replacing RAM, AirPort, etc., is not for the inexperienced.

#3 Fri, 2 Apr 2010 - 13:26 68kMLA

SCORE!

iBooks are great laptops. What do you mean by the Power Button? Like the connector? I find them easy to disconnect!

#4 Fri, 2 Apr 2010 - 15:02 68kMLA

I've taken apart way too many of these for the top case to be a concern. Get a spudger (rather than a flathead screwdriver, if you value the way it looks) and just be very careful with the all the cables and connectors.

#5 Fri, 2 Apr 2010 - 17:03 68kMLA

Oh yeah. Taking them apart is a *****.

#6 Tue, 6 Apr 2010 - 04:41 68kMLA

True, but only the first few times. I have a weird habit of taking stuff apart just because, so I ended up disassembling and reassembling my 12" G4 probably a dozen times for more or less no good reason. Now it's just a reflex.

#7 Sat, 17 Apr 2010 - 16:26 68kMLA

I've taken the topcase of an old G3 iBook without damaging it by shimming the plastic carefully with toothpicks. Mind you, you'll lose a few toothpicks this way, but they'll break before the plastic does.

#8 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 - 03:53 68kMLA

I've found that if you're careful enough, a flat head screw driver works fine for popping the case off. No marks either.