DIY: 2009 Logic Board into old Blackbook

[MitchT]

I've searched everywhere but haven't seen any threads about this crazy idea I have.

I love my blackbook, it's amazing, but the Intel GMA950 is killing me. I see the white macbook with it's flashy FSB and 9400M and I want it. But I love the sweet black case.

My questions are these:

1. Is there anyway I can go about getting the black case wrapped around the new macbook logic board? Can I order one off iFixit and swap out the old for the new? Are the connectors/screws the same?

2. Would it be possible to buy a new whitebook, and then swap the case with my old black one? How hard would this be?

My blackbook is totally out of warranty, so I'm really not super concerned about that. I think this could be a really interesting project, and one that will keep my beloved "Othello" running far into the future. Just wanted to see if you guys had any experience in what I'm thinking of doing.

Cheers,

-Mitch

[miles01110]

1. Is there anyway I can go about getting the black case wrapped around the new macbook logic board? Can I order one off iFixit and swap out the old for the new? Are the connectors/screws the same?

No and no. They're different shapes.

2. Would it be possible to buy a new whitebook, and then swap the case with my old black one? How hard would this be?

This is more feasible, but you might run into some issues with differing firmware on the two models. Not sure though.

[sporadicMotion]

No and no. They're different shapes.



This is more feasible, but you might run into some issues with differing firmware on the two models. Not sure though.

If the entire case is changed but electronics are the same, there won't be any firmware issues since no new hardware is introduced. This sounds like a workable idea. Worst case scenario is the lineup of the logic board screws to the case. Get a disassemble diagram and compare first.

You will not have a warranty this way though.

[miles01110]

If the entire case is changed but electronics are the same, there won't be any firmware issues since no new hardware is introduced.


Oh right... with a case swap it should be fine. Oops.

[sporadicMotion]

Oh right... with a case swap it should be fine. Oops.

No worries. Good project though. OP, I'd say if you're comfortable with laptop disassembly then it's worth a shot.

[andalusia]

No worries. Good project though. OP, I'd say if you're comfortable with laptop disassembly then it's worth a shot.

And if you have the money ;D

[kkim0228]

OR
get a new whitebook and leave it to the professionals to PROFESSIONALLY paint it black?

[miles01110]

OR
get a new whitebook and leave it to the professionals to PROFESSIONALLY paint it black?

Read the thread title: do you know what DIY means?

[MedHead]

I've seen a whitebook sprayed back and it just didnt look the same. But if you'd prefer that option then this (http://www.colorwarepc.com) might help.

[MitchT]

Thanks for the great replies guys.

I've looked at colourwarePC, but it doesn't look like they paint the keyboard and track pad, so that might look a tad awkward. I like all black, haha.

sporadicMotion, do you know where I could find disassemble diagram?

My blackbook has been out of warranty for like a year now, and the whitebook I'd get is cheap enough that if I blow the install, I'm not too behind (it'll hurt, but not that bad)

If it works, I can recoup some of the losses by selling the old Previously-Black-But-Now-Whitebook :P

-Mitch

[4JNA]

not really (die) or course, but dye. two people on the boards that i can think of, and one was actually using a white macbook, dyed it orange or red if i remember right.

OrangeSVTguy (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=545901) is another member, and dyed an ibook black, that's the thread in the link. might drop him a message and see if he would turn your white plastic into black plastic.

love the idea, pictures required after you're done no matter how you do it! best of luck.

[aleksandra.]

My friend has a mid-2007 BlackBook... the logicboard failed (out of warranty) and was replaced with one from WhiteBook. It was the same model so it obviously worked, the point is some areas around the ports are apparently white now :).

[MitchT]

not really (die) or course, but dye. two people on the boards that i can think of, and one was actually using a white macbook, dyed it orange or red if i remember right.

OrangeSVTguy (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=545901) is another member, and dyed an ibook black, that's the thread in the link. might drop him a message and see if he would turn your white plastic into black plastic.

love the idea, pictures required after you're done no matter how you do it! best of luck.

Looks pretty neat, except for the white keyboard, although, I suppose I could swap the keys out. I don't quite have the money to do anything right now, I'm sort of in the planning phase right now.

When I do get up to doing this I will post pics. I think I'll practice laptop construction/deconstruction on an old HP laptop I have.

[nineohtoo]

aleksandra, Any pics of that macbook? I wanted to do that myself, buy a broken black macbook, and get a used 9400m macbook and swap the internals like that.

Not that there's anything wrong with my 4,1 BlackBook, but in case something did, I'd like for it to live on :D

[J&JPolangin]

...yeah, I was hopeful that when my NVidia whitebook develops the "cracking" issue I'll be able to see if :apple: has any black cases left over that they'd like to swap it into for me...

[aleksandra.]

aleksandra, Any pics of that macbook? I wanted to do that myself, buy a broken black macbook, and get a used 9400m macbook and swap the internals like that.

Not that there's anything wrong with my 4,1 BlackBook, but in case something did, I'd like for it to live on :D

I can try to get some but not before mid-July at best (she's traveling now and by the time she's back I'll have left, so...). Anyway it's only around (more inside of) ports IIRC... I didn't look at it long, just enough to see a black-and-white MacBook still looked black to me ;). You can probably get an idea of it looking at the logicboard (that's why there are separate versions for black and white MacBooks available, btw).

[Sun Baked]

I've seen a whitebook sprayed back and it just didnt look the same. But if you'd prefer that option then this (http://www.colorwarepc.com) might help.

For $20 if you were in the DIY mood, a black plastic skin would likely be easier.

Or simply have a custom one printed on the plastic wrap printers and go for something like leopard skin.

[nineohtoo]

Thanks, that's good to know that if my macbook ever dies, it can be revived with a 9400m and a faster fsb :D

[MitchT]

Hey guys,

I had a quick look around iFixit and couldn't see anything that gives a direct comparison to how the 9400m boards and anchored and how the GMA 950 boards are.

Anyone have any specs or pics or diagrams? If the screws and mounting points are the same, it should be fine. If they aren't, anyone have work arounds?

Also, if anyone has found a step-by-step guide on swapping cases, that would be much appreciated.

[EDIT] Looking at the various repair guides at iFixit, it looks like the Santa Rosa/Penryn models have a slightly different layout than the BlackBook I have (Rev. C.). I think if one were to do the switch, you would need at least Rev. D or higher, in order for the internal layout to match what the current Whitebook is.

iFixit has some close up details of the logic boards from a X3100 MacBook and from a 9400m MacBook, and while certain parts seem a bit different, the holes for screws seem to all be the in the right place. Is it definite that a straight logic board swap couldn't occur?

For reference:

Old 2.4GHz, X3100 (http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Core-2-Duo-2-4-GHz-Logic-Board/IF186-071)

New 2.0GHz, 9400m (http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Early-2009-2-GHz-Logic-Board-/IF186-082)

[nickXedge]

I don't know if this is an issue for you but I noticed no one else made the observation. The ports on the left side aren't going to lineup. The new ones have FW800 and Mini DisplayPort. I guess if you're crafty you can carve out the extra to make them fit, but it would be real tough to make it look legit. Correct me if I'm wrong about this, but I see it as an annoying issue with potential to ruin the whole project.

[miles01110]

I don't know if this is an issue for you but I noticed no one else made the observation. The ports on the left side aren't going to lineup. The new ones have FW800 and Mini DisplayPort. I guess if you're crafty you can carve out the extra to make them fit, but it would be real tough to make it look legit. Correct me if I'm wrong about this, but I see it as an annoying issue with potential to ruin the whole project.

The new Macbook Pros have the ports you mentioned, but the Macbook does not. He's talking about buying a white macbook and switching the internals, not the macbook pro.

[MitchT]

The new Macbook Pros have the ports you mentioned, but the Macbook does not. He's talking about buying a white macbook and switching the internals, not the macbook pro.

Indeed. And on that point, has anyone looked at the photos etc? I'm wondering if everyone thinks I'm crazy, haha.

Any tips on where to start?

[OrangeSVTguy]

not really (die) or course, but dye. two people on the boards that i can think of, and one was actually using a white macbook, dyed it orange or red if i remember right.

OrangeSVTguy (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=545901) is another member, and dyed an ibook black, that's the thread in the link. might drop him a message and see if he would turn your white plastic into black plastic.

love the idea, pictures required after you're done no matter how you do it! best of luck.

I was just about to mention that! Thanks :cool:

I have the links in my sig ;)
But yes, I would do it for you.

[gan6660]

If I were you I would sell the black macbook you have now and use that money to fund the new whitebook. Then buy black macbook parts on ebay for a fraction of the cost. Unless of course you want 2 laptops.

[OrangeSVTguy]

If you buy the White Nvidia, all you'd need are the keys from a Blackbook which you already got and then dye the rest black. That way you have the matching keys and not white ones, same goes for the trackpad.

Of course this will kill your warranty.

[MitchT]

If you buy the White Nvidia, all you'd need are the keys from a Blackbook which you already got and then dye the rest black. That way you have the matching keys and not white ones, same goes for the trackpad.

Of course this will kill your warranty.

True. Haha. I was hoping to sell my current BlackBook to my friend...maybe she;ll be even more interested if it has white keys + a white track pad haha.

All in all, I'm not terribly worried about warranties. I've found enough guides and such that if something goes wrong I can probably fix it myself.

Out of curiosity, how durable is your dye job? Does it attract fingerprints? Also, I noticed the "OrangeBook" was a little splotchy on the bezel. Does that happen when dying black?

Finally, how much do you charge, and do you take orders from Canada? :P

[OrangeSVTguy]

The Orange was my first attempt at dying so of course it was going to be crappy:p. The black actually comes out even and very dark, rich and most important even. The plastic holds the dye very well and it never rubbed off on me either. I actually sold the black plastic ones to someone in Canada off this site too! I haven't hear from him in a long time either and he never sent me pics of it installed :(. PM if you are serious and we can work something out.

[MitchT]

Slight problem, in that I can't PM you because I'm too new, haha.

Anyway, I don't quite have the cash right now to act on anything, I'm mainly feeling out options. However, if I do decide to go this route, I appreciate your willingness to help.

Perhaps I can take a raincheck and keep you in mind? :D

Anyway, I would like to thank everyone's input into this thread. I think I have all the info I need, but if anyone has a brainwave, feel free to share!

-Mitch

[nineohtoo]

Keep the blackbook and buy the new logic board on ifixit for $500 or whatever they're selling it for.

[leekohler]

Hey guys,

I had a quick look around iFixit and couldn't see anything that gives a direct comparison to how the 9400m boards and anchored and how the GMA 950 boards are.

Anyone have any specs or pics or diagrams? If the screws and mounting points are the same, it should be fine. If they aren't, anyone have work arounds?

Also, if anyone has found a step-by-step guide on swapping cases, that would be much appreciated.

[EDIT] Looking at the various repair guides at iFixit, it looks like the Santa Rosa/Penryn models have a slightly different layout than the BlackBook I have (Rev. C.). I think if one were to do the switch, you would need at least Rev. D or higher, in order for the internal layout to match what the current Whitebook is.

iFixit has some close up details of the logic boards from a X3100 MacBook and from a 9400m MacBook, and while certain parts seem a bit different, the holes for screws seem to all be the in the right place. Is it definite that a straight logic board swap couldn't occur?

For reference:

Old 2.4GHz, X3100 (http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Core-2-Duo-2-4-GHz-Logic-Board/IF186-071)

New 2.0GHz, 9400m (http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Early-2009-2-GHz-Logic-Board-/IF186-082)

From the photos, they look the same to me. Let us know if you do this. I've been thinking about the same thing.

EDIT- ah, but I have the Penryn 2.4.

[Scarlet Fever]

The plastic MacBooks are fairly easy to take apart. The worst part is fitting the Magsafe plug into the new case; it's easy to get it snagged on something. If you're confident, and you don't really mind voiding the warranty, it's a recommendable mod.

How do you feel about the white keyboard and display bezel? If you like them, but still like your black outer casing, you can do something like this;

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/3569/mbclosedsf6.jpg
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7721/mbhalfwn9.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7905/mbfullde7.jpg

[MitchT]

Ok I know what I said...about having all the info and blah, blah, blah, but I lied.

Call me crazy, maybe I really want to see this, but the logic board mounts for the 2,1 MacBook and the new WhiteBook look the same.

2,1 Logic Board (ie: the version I have) (http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Core-2-Duo-2-16-GHz-Energy-Star-Logic-Board/IF186-063)

New Logic Board (ie: the one I want) (http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Early-2009-2-GHz-Logic-Board-/IF186-082)

I wish I could see some real life comparisons...

[OrangeSVTguy]

Ok I know what I said...about having all the info and blah, blah, blah, but I lied.

Call me crazy, maybe I really want to see this, but the logic board mounts for the 2,1 MacBook and the new WhiteBook look the same.

2,1 Logic Board (ie: the version I have) (http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Core-2-Duo-2-16-GHz-Energy-Star-Logic-Board/IF186-063)

New Logic Board (ie: the one I want) (http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Early-2009-2-GHz-Logic-Board-/IF186-082)

I wish I could see some real life comparisons...

I did a quick PS to overlap one motherboard onto the other, they are the same size and looks as if the ports all line up. I haven't been inside a Macbook yet and you can already tell that the heatsinks won't line up. I'm also sure many of the mounting screws won't line up either. Probably just "hot glue" it back together :p.

[MitchT]

I did a quick PS to overlap one motherboard onto the other, they are the same size and looks as if the ports all line up. I haven't been inside a Macbook yet and you can already tell that the heatsinks won't line up. I'm also sure many of the mounting screws won't line up either. Probably just "hot glue" it back together :p.

Haha. Yeah for some reason I don't see hot-gluing it working that well.

I found a guy on Craigslist whose selling black macbook casing. I sent him an email asking about # of parts + model type. If it's a Penryn case, I might buy it, cause he's only asking $50 CAD.

Probably a straight case swap is best, and if that doesn't work out then I guess it's just a matter of shipping it off to a certain Orange gentleman in California.

My crazy scheme is to get the BlackBook updated and then make a cheap hackintosh tower for the really intense things. It'll cost about the same as buying a 15" MBP. The only question is, does all this hassle = a better deal?

I think about $1600 (after selling old BlackBook) for a powerful tower and average laptop is better than $1600 for one, more powerful laptop. Anyone else agree?