[kennedy]

I could only find a January thread speculating on how this would be done... but if I just missed the thread, please point me to it...


If you get the 40GB disk in your PB12, is it possible to later replace it with a larger/faster disk?

If so, how hard is it? Can anyone point me to instructions?

And has anyone done this? Anyone got a 7200rpm 80G disk in there? If so, any performance improvement? Or even with a 5400rpm 60GB?

Thanks!

[The Placid Casual]

I saw some instructions on this a month or so back. (may have been on www.xlr8yourmac.com).

(Edit: Yep it was XLR8. Google is my friend!) :

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/p...HD_upgrade.htm

It looks particularly hard to do... and also I think warranty voiding. (When xlr8 says 'advanced' I think it means it!)

I would give serious thought about letting an Apple technician accomplish the task...

Peace,

Marc

[kennedy]

Thanks! So, there is an out... but its a bit ugly...

So, hopefully I won't find 40GB too constraining. 5G for OS and apps; 5G for email; 5G for databases; 5G of iTunes... that leaves just 20G. If I produce an iMovie and burn to DVD, that'll be tight. But I guess I don't need to do that on the run... so, I can get a desktop FW drive... hmmmm....

[bacchus]

I actually did this upon purchasing my new 12" a one or so ago.

I wanted to put in a higher speed 60gig drive, and I did manage to do it.

That being said it was hands down the most difficult apple machine disassembly I have ever done, and i've done a lot of them.

Be careful and get as much info as possible before you start.

[Macfreak7]

Originally posted by bacchus:
I actually did this upon purchasing my new 12" a one or so ago.

I wanted to put in a higher speed 60gig drive, and I did manage to do it.

That being said it was hands down the most difficult apple machine disassembly I have ever done, and i've done a lot of them.

Be careful and get as much info as possible before you start.

Yeah, i talked to an employee at the genius bar, and he said it takes upto 2 hours just to disasseble it. That's quite a chore.
I'd rather send the PB over to the store and have them do it.

[kennedy]

Originally posted by Macfreak7:
Yeah, i talked to an employee at the genius bar, and he said it takes upto 2 hours just to disasseble it. That's quite a chore.
I'd rather send the PB over to the store and have them do it.

I don't think the Apple Store will do it (if that's what you meant); but other "Apple authorized service centers" will. Anyone done that? I wonder what they charge?

[MacNStein]

The PB 12 is the most difficult take-apart of all Apple machines, and it's not for the faint of heart. I've taken apart 7 or 8 of them and it's the only machine where I still have to consult the service manual regarding the procedure. From start to finish it takes 2 hours to disassemble/reassemble it, and I consider myself to be a fairly experienced tech. One of the things I really dislike is how you have to pry off 4 of the keys to take off the KB. Those plastic tabs on the back of keys break far too easily.

All that aside, removing the HD doesn't take that long, you just remove the battery (ALWAYS remove the battery first), memory door, KB, and top case. Then you have access to the HD. I would NOT put in a 5400 or 7200RPM drive due to the amount of extra heat they produce. I replaced the 40GB in mine with an 80GB 4200RPM drive and it's stayed at the same temp.

As always, if you replace the existing HD in the Powerbook yourself you'll void your warranty. An authorized service center will probably charge you an hour's labor to do it (the company I work for charges $60 /hour). I believe that's well worth the aggrevation and loss of warranty, but that's for the consumer to decide.

[echosphere]

Hey Kennedy,

Take the other posts with a grain of salt. It's really not that hard if you take the time to prepare yourself, read all the posting and forums you can find on it. xlr8yourmac is a good start.

Also, buy the tools that you need before hand, these are good one's to buy, sure they cost $$ but a great investment for later, the 14 piece set is a good bargain:
http://www.radioshack.com/category.a...000&Page=1

Also, RadioShack has a really basic set that might get you by:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=64%2D1904

I myself am a noob at taking things apart, I once fixed my mom's microwave and I fixed my leaking sink, but thats all. Frustrating part will be keeping track of the screws. First you should print out all the instructions and pictures. When you take the PB apart, tape the screws to the photos of where they are. Cracks me up when people write “well successfully upgraded my HD, have 2 screws leftover, but everything is fine”.

The PB is NOT that hard to take apart nor that difficult, try taking apart the original “clamshell” ibooks, that wasn’t fun at all! Even the new iBooks are harder than the 12” PB.

Yeah, it will take about 3 or 4 hours, but that’s because you want to take your time and do it right. I wouldn’t take it to a service place as they will take just as much time and end up costing a lot (more than one hour work folks). Plus, a lot of 3rd party service places end up breaking more than you probably would.

Plus, you really get a chance to see how and where your PB looks like and functions. Done right, it can bring you and your PB closer together. Though, of course on the flip-side, you just might end up killing it too….

Best of luck!

[Karim]

Download your own copy of the official Apple service manual for the 12" and follow the pictures and instructions.

YOU CAN DO IT.

http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2/manuals.html

[The Placid Casual]

No one said it couldn't be done, no sir, but it would be a shame to lose a perfectly good warranty...

[MacNStein]

Originally posted by The Placid Casual:
No one said it couldn't be done, no sir, but it would be a shame to lose a perfectly good warranty...

That's my point too. If your warranty has no value to you, then feel free to do whatever.