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You are here: MacNN Forums > Enthusiast Zone > Hardware Hacking > Possible to put a fancy new trackpad in an old iBook G4 (1.2GHz)

Possible to put a fancy new trackpad in an old iBook G4 (1.2GHz)
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nonhuman
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Nov 14, 2009, 09:03 PM
 
I've got an old 1.2 GHz iBook G4 that I'm reviving rather than buying a new netbook (cost me <$200 to max out the RAM and buy a high capacity newerTech battery for it). It works fine and totally fits my needs, but the trackpad really pisses me off. I've got a nearly brand new MacBook Pro at work, and have fallen in love with the awesome trackpad.

This model of iBook has a USB trackpad (though still an ADB keyboard strangely), so it seems like it should be possible to just switch out the trackpad for a more modern one. Obviously OS X has the drivers to handle it, so the only obstacle I can foresee is having to modify the case to fit the new trackpad. Before I start trying that and potentially screw everything up, can anyone think of any other problems that I might run into? Even better, does anyone know of any examples where something like this has been done?
( Last edited by nonhuman; Nov 15, 2009 at 01:02 PM. )
     
imitchellg5
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Nov 14, 2009, 11:26 PM
 
I would think it'd be possible, but it'd be a pain to get to fit correctly.
     
DmbShn41
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Dec 23, 2009, 07:25 PM
 
Logic would tell you that since the iBook G4 is a lot thicker than MB, that it should fit. But if I remember correctly, last time I had my G4 open there is a lot of stuff going on down there, and the older style track pad is fairly thin. Plus, I think there is some sort of 'carriage' for the newer style trackpads that is built into the upped frame, so that it can be pushed, and recessed. Not really sure tho, but let me know if you do it cause I would be seriously interested in doing it to mine. Thanks.
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shifuimam
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Dec 24, 2009, 11:08 PM
 
You may be able to remove just the trackpad from the plastic assembly, in which case installation won't be terribly bad. Technologically speaking, it should work...
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