[unfaded]

Is there anyway in hell that the Dual USB iBook video card can be replaced with another card? This card truly blows.

[Captain Obvious]

Originally posted by unfaded:
<STRONG>Is there anyway in hell that the Dual USB iBook video card can be replaced with another card? This card truly blows.</STRONG>

Nope, and I don't really think that there is much basis to complain. You saw the specs on the iBook before you bought it and its known for being a consumer level laptop.

[unfaded]

Originally posted by Captain Obvious:
<STRONG>

Nope, and I don't really think that there is much basis to complain. You saw the specs on the iBook before you bought it and its known for being a consumer level laptop.</STRONG>

Oh I know, I love my iBook. :o) don't get me wrong, however, if it were possible, I would put in a new video card in a second.[/LIST]

IF you were really good at soldering, and IF you had a radeon mobility chip, you MIGHT be able to make an upgrade. But I think the risk involved and the unlikelyhood that you have the tools and parts to do this change, would be worth the results.

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com

[iPaul UK]

The fact of the matter is, that iBooks just don't have a video "card" as such. Only a graphics chip set which is soldered onto the mother board, along with all the other bits n pieces. And this is the same for ALL current Macs. Bar the G4 desk tops.

Having said that, I don't think the graphics are that bad. Not in my iBook 600 anyways. Depends what exatly it is your doing with it I guess. If it's for games.. Don't waste your time, get a PS2 instead!

[Carl Norum]

Originally posted by iPaul UK:
<STRONG>The fact of the matter is, that iBooks just don't have a video "card" as such. Only a graphics chip set which is soldered onto the mother board, along with all the other bits n pieces. And this is the same for ALL current Macs. Bar the G4 desk tops.</STRONG>

Do you know that it's soldered on? I was thinking about taking a good close look at the video card the next time I open a machine (probably to put a new hard disk in). The last cursory look I had was when I had my own open, and it was a good 1cm above the rest of the motherboard, and was apparently screwed down, which seems to indicate that a connector of some type is under there.

Other manufacturers use these parts too... why wouldn't they be interchangeable?

[itomato]

Here's a link to the Apple Service manual for the 2001 iBook. Near as I can tell, there is no replaceable video module.
http://www.mcvsd.org/applecare/ibk01.pdf

Swapping the graphics chip isn't likely either. There's more to a graphics controller than just the chip. The RAM used for whatever it is that is on the iBook likely wouldn't work w/ a Radeon mobility. and the cicuitry tying it all together wouldn't cut it, either. Not to mention EEPROM/flash sizes/locations/etc.

Apple gets the cost down on stuff by making one logicboard with everything necessary for operation soldered together. The individual components may be the same as what's on a card, say a Radeon Retail, because they are what ATI or nVidia recommend, but they're there for good.

Your only option would be a CardBus video adapter.