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WinTroll · Dec 1, 2004, 06:34 PM

What hard drive is in this iBook?

I have an extra 60 gig HD from a Compaq X1360 that just happens to be the exact same drive used in the PB 12" Rev C.

So I was hoping that I could get a 12" iBook and take out the 30 gig drive and put my 60 gig in.

Anyone know?

audvidsvs · Dec 1, 2004, 07:59 PM

I think any 2.5" drive will fit in and work just fine.
I just pulled the drive from a 12"PB rev.2 and stuck another in there.
When I was repairing an IBook recently I examined the drive and it was the same form factor.

ghporter · Dec 2, 2004, 09:25 AM

The iBook uses EIDE 2.5 inch (laptop) form factor drives. I'm not sure what the maximum height allowed is, but most new drives are coming out with heights of 9mm or less, so just about any drive should fit. Go with the biggest, fastest drive you can afford.

Now for the kicker; it's kinda hard to change out the hard drive on an iBook. Not at all impossible, but it ain't a stroll in the park, either! Certainly not for the feint of heart-nor the uncomfortable with screwdrivers!

D'Espice · Dec 2, 2004, 04:55 PM

Should work just fine but don't forget that you not only have to take apart the entire iBook to replace the harddrive but you also void your warranty.

MARINEOSX · Dec 2, 2004, 06:10 PM

every hard drive is built to the same size specifications per platform. For example desktop size and laptop size. (to break it down barny style) Any 2.5" laptop ata drive will work. I upgraded mine to an 80gig.

Also if you look around this forum I and others have posted links to instructions very detailed on how to take the iBook apart. I Dont think it is realy that bad but I wouldn't suggest it if you are not expeirienced in taking apart electronics at all.

D'Espice · Dec 3, 2004, 02:27 AM

Originally posted by MARINEOSX:
every hard drive is built to the same size specifications per platform. For example desktop size and laptop size. (to break it down barny style) Any 2.5" laptop ata drive will work. I upgraded mine to an 80gig.

Sorry, but that's not true. While it is true that there's a desktop size (3,5") and a laptop size (2.5") the latter one is again split into two: 1cm and 0.8cm

And if the iBook is built to only have enough space for the latter, good luck putting in a 1cm drive

MARINEOSX · Dec 4, 2004, 08:58 PM

Yes I understand that but the thinner drive will still fit. Plus I'll bet there is more than enough space for the thicker drive to work. After all it is only 0.2cm. as long as the mounting brackets fit which is a standard for hard drives. Considering that all computers are built the same way so that those companies can get maximum profit. Which they are. There shouldn't be any problems. Also my guess is that the iBook is built for the larger one because that is what I have in mine. Think about what the companies that make hard drives would lose if there new drives did not fit in older computers for those who want to upgrade? I'll bet that the thinner drive is purly something appealing more than anything else.

ghporter · Dec 6, 2004, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by D'Espice:
Sorry, but that's not true. While it is true that there's a desktop size (3,5") and a laptop size (2.5") the latter one is again split into two: 1cm and 0.8cm

And if the iBook is built to only have enough space for the latter, good luck putting in a 1cm drive

Not to split hairs, but there have been a number of different heights, including 9mm and 12mm. These are less common today, but can still be found.

Also, MarineOSX, the "maximize profit" bit may be true, but the reason manufacturers use common parts is that they don't have to reinvent them. By observing standards (EIDE interface, 2.5" form factor, max height of 1cm), manufacturers can buy their parts from specialists in particular parts, and thus depend on those specialists to ensure the parts are of high quality and reliability. It ain't a business conspiracy, it's just common sense: do YOU want to make your own paper and ink just to write a letter? No, you buy paper and ink (or toner) from people who make them every day. Same thing.

MARINEOSX · Dec 10, 2004, 05:07 PM

Well that too.

But it also is going to give them better profits too. I just figured the reason a company goes into any particular type of product that is made to be used by a consumer at some point, is to make money first and quality second. That is the bottom line, look at dell. I think that the reason they build quality parts after they gain business is to keep that business and then be able to expand on it, and make more MONEY. It might not be a conspiracy, ( which I never said it was) but there is no reason to have a different size hard drive in every different brand of computer or laptop. Because then there would be no reason to make a better product or give more quality, for the simple fact that no matter what, only the drive that is 2.5 cm will fit in only this particular laptop. That would not be a sound business decision for any of the companies that make Hard drives, let alone any of the computer manufacturers. I also see what you mean about the older drives that are bigger, but we are talking about now not then, and now all the companies have standardized the dimensions of a hard drive for a mobile computer. I am just stating my opinion of what seems to be common sense to me. and not trying to get into an argument about anything so don't take this personal.

If you really want to see what it is all about you can go and look at this site and it talks about standard sizes of drives. They are standardized to fit in all of the laptops because of the manufacturer and this is most likely to make as much money as possible?

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/op/form-c.html

ghporter · Dec 10, 2004, 09:05 PM

Originally posted by MARINEOSX:
Well that too. But it also is going to give them better profits too.

{snip}

If you really want to see what it is all about you can go and look at this site and it talks about standard sizes of drives. They are standardized to fit in all of the laptops because of the manufacturer and this is most likely to make as much money as possible?

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/op/form-c.html

I have no arguement against your position. I merely wanted to point out that there has been a move toward a few standard drive thicknesses in laptops, much like the move toward what used to be called "half height" drives in desktops. This is a cyclic thing; when something becomes popular, the manufacturer focuses on it. Other buyers see that there is more emphasis (and discounts, availability, etc.) on this product, and they begin to use it. This makes the product more popular...eventually it bacomes a de facto standard.

Sure, profit is at the base of all of it, but as far as I know, there are few that do anything solely for the love of it, and they're called "artists" (usually "late artists" after their efforts are finally seen as something other than being "stupid and stubborn,"-but that's a different story).

In any case, you still need to know whether the drive you want will fit into the computer you want to put it in. Most manufacturers put the maximum physical size of drives that will fit in their laptops somewhere in their technical literature. I haven't researched it with iBooks, but it's bound to be there.

MARINEOSX · Dec 11, 2004, 02:19 PM

I think between the 2 of us we have it down cold.

I agree you should look at the specs and make sure the drive is exactly to spec for size just to ensure that you have no problems getting it in there.

Sorry we got so off subject.

ghporter · Dec 11, 2004, 09:10 PM

It's been interesting, though!

Later!

tooki · Dec 12, 2004, 03:03 AM

Originally posted by D'Espice:
Sorry, but that's not true. While it is true that there's a desktop size (3,5") and a laptop size (2.5") the latter one is again split into two: 1cm and 0.8cm

And if the iBook is built to only have enough space for the latter, good luck putting in a 1cm drive

Uhh, you need to take a look at modern drives, I think!

Originally, laptop drives came in 17mm and 12mm thickness. Later, 17 was dropped and 9.5mm added. Since then, nobody has made 12mm drives for years. Every laptop drive on the market since at least 2002 has been a 9.5mm thick model. They don't make thicker models any more.

tooki

D'Espice · Dec 12, 2004, 06:01 AM

Originally posted by tooki:
Uhh, you need to take a look at modern drives, I think!

Originally, laptop drives came in 17mm and 12mm thickness. Later, 17 was dropped and 9.5mm added. Since then, nobody has made 12mm drives for years. Every laptop drive on the market since at least 2002 has been a 9.5mm thick model. They don't make thicker models any more.

tooki

Weird, I thought I saw a thicker drive few weeks ago being sold in a PC hardware store.... but maybe I was wrong, dunno. In that case I stand corrected.

ghporter · Dec 12, 2004, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by D'Espice:
Weird, I thought I saw a thicker drive few weeks ago being sold in a PC hardware store.... but maybe I was wrong, dunno. In that case I stand corrected.

Maybe it was an older drive that hadn't sold-or that had come back. Gotta watch some vendors!

Most drives built since about 1998 (date depedent on the manufacturer) have clearly readable manufacture dates on their labels. NEVER buy a drive that you aren't sure of the manufacture date of! If you're getting a used or "old new stock" drive, you should know about it right then.

Yes, that's a pet peeve of mine. One of many...

tooki · Dec 12, 2004, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by D'Espice:
Weird, I thought I saw a thicker drive few weeks ago being sold in a PC hardware store.... but maybe I was wrong, dunno. In that case I stand corrected.

The only sort-of exception to the 9.5mm thickness that I am aware of are the Seagate Savvio drives, which are 2.5" drives, but are not notebook drives. They are 15mm thick 10,000RPM drives for servers. They're not ATA, so you couldn't put it in a notebook even if it did fit. (For many years now, 10,000+ RPM drives have used 2.5" disk platters inside the 3.5" case. Seagate just stuck it in a smaller case to fit better in smaller servers.)

tooki