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brookes · Feb 14, 2007, 07:06 AM

I just received an ibook G4, not sure which processor yet, as i need to put a new HDD in it.
So i have 2 questions. I want to put a seagate Momentus 7200 in it but i need to know if it will work. Also is there a way to figure out exactly what i have before i put the new drive in it, because i want to go ahead and get some memory for it and put that in when i replace the HDD.
thank you
brookes

C.A.T.S. CEO · Feb 14, 2007, 07:15 AM

I can tell you what processor a iBook G4 has, a G4. What year is it? The only thing I can think of is that replacing a iBooks HD is extremely hard and sometimes it doesn't like it, Macs are very picky sometimes.

brookes · Feb 14, 2007, 07:45 AM

It was given to me, and the person does not remember when exactly she got it. Basically the hdd went out and she went and got a compaq.
What would be a good replacement drive for it? Newegg has not been the greatest help.
Thank you
Brookes

shifuimam · Feb 14, 2007, 08:42 AM

Apple laptops tend to use Toshiba or Hitachi drives. I can't really see a Seagate drive causing a problem, but if you want to play it safe, get the drive from a store that will let you exchange or return it if it doesn't work out. I recommend Seagate drives, anyhow, because of the excellent five-year warranty.

Replacing the drive is indeed a tedious and time-consuming process, but with a little confidence and the right tools, you can do it. Check out iFixit - iBook & PowerBook Parts for an excellent disassembly guide.

Good luck!

brookes · Feb 14, 2007, 09:06 AM

Thanks for the info. I am just waiting on my tax return and then going to tear her apart and hopefully have my first mac.
Thank you
Brookes

mduell · Feb 14, 2007, 09:59 AM

Any of these drives will work (2.5" ATA under 137GB).

I'd recommend one of these (Seagate).

brookes · Feb 14, 2007, 10:04 AM

Why under 137gb?

mduell · Feb 14, 2007, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by brookes

Why under 137gb?

The hard drive controller doesn't support LBA48.

brookes · Feb 14, 2007, 02:37 PM

Would a 7200rpm drive be too much for the computer?

mduell · Feb 14, 2007, 03:29 PM

7200RPM is fine; the power consumption is about the same as the 5400RPM drives.

Sherman Homan · Feb 14, 2007, 04:34 PM

7200 rpm drives are fine in that model!

brookes · 08:07 PM

Woohoo more newb questions, just a couple then I will go buy "mac for dummies."
Is there a way to see what processor and drive this is by just booting with the install disk?
(hahaha on me, i found all the info by popping off the keyboard)
And why are macs so much cooler than pc's?

Thanks for all the help ya'll
Brookes

Sherman Homan · Feb 15, 2007, 05:31 AM

Brookes,boot from the install disk, choose the language, but don't run the installer. Go up to the menu bar to Utilities --> System Profiler. All answers will be revealed within!

matty-uk · Feb 15, 2007, 07:12 AM

I've read over on xlr8yourmac that the 160gig drives work fine in a G4 iBook running 10.4. That is what I plan to put in mine when I do it. Here is a link to a compatibility list