[Jet Powers]

I wonder if it can be done. I like the old iBook much better designwise, but they are crippled specwise, so some transplant surgery seems lke an option.....

So:

1) Old iBook shell. Where to get one? Or a dead old iBook.....
2) Space. Would the parts fit inside?
3) Modification. - What new holes would I need to carve into the (clam)shell?

Jet

[Carl Norum]

This seems like a good idea if you want the form factor of the old iBook. I have no idea about where to get a case, but those things were *huge*. I'm sure you can fit a modern iBook in there.

[x user]

Cable modfiication (Display, cd, keyboard) will have to be modified. Need to modify the logic board to take the old style battery. Probably should try to find a Lime/indigo case so you already have a hole for firewire. Need new holds for 2nd usb and VGA out.

[Mac Zealot]

Originally posted by x user:
<STRONG>Cable modfiication (Display, cd, keyboard) will have to be modified. Need to modify the logic board to take the old style battery. Probably should try to find a Lime/indigo case so you already have a hole for firewire. Need new holds for 2nd usb and VGA out.</STRONG>

you can always modify the battery compartment to fit the modern connectors (and just glue old battery cover to new ibook battery), etc.

[ajprice]

Try www.pbparts.com or ebay for the case parts. You would have to cut it to fit the second speaker, firewire and second usb ports, and the video port. The old ibook battery was a bar the width of the keyboard, a completely different shape to the new ibook, so that would probably need cutting. Not sure how easy the keyboard cd eject would be to transfer, but if you transplant the whole ibook internals as they are it shouldnt be a problem.

[awaspaas]

i doubt you could fit a new ibook battery in there. who's to say the new internals won't run off an old ibook battery though?

[x user]

The old batteries were better anyway. Same voltages, just different mA/hour, I believe.

[IUJHJSDHE]

Why would you want to but?

The new iBooks rule!!

[Jet Powers]

Originally posted by IUJHJSDHE:
<STRONG>Why would you want to but?

The new iBooks rule!!</STRONG>

Yeah, they are nice, but the old iBooks are just so cool. Damn, Apple whould release an 'iBook Classic' with the old shell and new speedier parts. I'd be in heaven.

pb Parts looks like the place to go. I hate to spend the money on a all these clamshell parts without knowing whether it would work.....

Anyone know where I can get pics of the FW iBook motherboard and the new iBook motheroard?

Jet

[ 05-13-2002: Message edited by: Jet Powers ]

[Jet Powers]

Firewire iBook logic board:



Dual USB iBook logic board:



Well, that doesn't look promising.

It seems the original logic board straddled the back of the interior space, while the new one is aligned along the left hand side. I'll betcha a dollar that the new board is too long to fit alng the left hand side of the old case. Aligning it along the back would probably (but not neccessarily) block the drive bay along the right. Also, the ports would be on the back (which isn't a problem per se, but then you'd have to work around the hinge.

Anyway, I think the game plan would be:

Parts:
Old iBook case
Old iBook battery
New iBook logic board and internals
New ibook LCD

Operation:
-Mount logic board along back edge, making sure to leave room for drive bays (somehow). This would involve probably cutting the current support posts out, and adding ones that match the logic board.
-Cut holes for the ports along the back, avoiding necessary areas for the hinge. Fill old port holes with silicone.
-Mount LCD. Feed connections through original LCD connection feed.
Solder battery connectors from logic board to old battery connectors (probably involving some relay wiring).
-Bolt everything together (again, with things being moved around, might involve creating new connections.
-Pray.

Frankly, I don't think it's feasible. But if you ever come across a logic-board-dead original iBook.....

Jet

[ 05-13-2002: Message edited by: Jet Powers ]

[ 05-13-2002: Message edited by: Jet Powers ]

[iamnid]

seems like an awful lot of work --can't you just live with the new ibook?