Collection Complete! Clamshell iBooks

[CooperBox]

Nice collection, thanks for sharing. I've never played with one of these. Are they hard to open/work on? Are these the ones you can upgrade the CPU on?

I've taken one down to the motherboard, and rebuilt. They definitely aren't the easiest machines to work on, but I succeeded - and I'm no more than a keen amateur. Somewhere I have a template I made of the screw and other component tear-down locations, which I'll post asap.

 

[Slix]

Very nice collection! It's cool to see that there are others out there that strive to get the whole set.

I've only currently got an Indigo iBook that I got last year for $20 at a local flea market, but I'm happy with it.

 

[thescotsman4]

One of these days I'll try and get a Clamshell... Years before I began collecting, I remember seeing pictures of the Clamshell and thinking it looked so amazing and wishing I could get one some day... Problem is they are too damn expensive!

I don't want to get myself in trouble with the moderators, but if you search eBay you'll find an Indigo iBook, along with YoYo charger, that I put up last night.

If this post was inappropriate someone please let me know and I'll edit/delete it! Cheers.

 

[Gamer9430]

I don't want to get myself in trouble with the moderators, but if you search eBay you'll find an Indigo iBook, along with YoYo charger, that I put up last night.

If this post was inappropriate someone please let me know and I'll edit/delete it! Cheers.

You're good... You get in trouble if you self-promote your auction or item you are selling. You are allowed to put links and tell people where to look.

 

[weckart]

One of the nicer things about the Clamshells is Apple's attention to details in that the colour of the notebook is logged in the firmware. Once the default OS is installed, the colour scheme on restarting for the first time automatically matches that of the housing. The tangerine iBook is particularly striking.

 

[Hastings101]

This is so cool, nice collection . I've always wanted one of those clamshell iBooks, but I doubt I could find one that works and isn't in some nasty condition. My tech skills are not up to anything but replacing RAM and hard drives (which you can't even do on most computers now anyway lol).

Off topic, I miss when computers weren't mostly all black, grey, and metal/imitating metal. Those iBooks have so much character in their looks.

 

[Hrududu]

One of the nicer things about the Clamshells is Apple's attention to details in that the colour of the notebook is logged in the firmware. Once the default OS is installed, the colour scheme on restarting for the first time automatically matches that of the housing. The tangerine iBook is particularly striking.

That may be one of the coolest things Apple EVER did. Its wonderful to boot these things up and have the appearance theme match the exterior color of the system.

 

[128keaton]

If you ever snipe any spare iBooks, let me know. I have a dream of owning a graphite.

 

[CooperBox]

One of these days I'll try and get a Clamshell... Years before I began collecting, I remember seeing pictures of the Clamshell and thinking it looked so amazing and wishing I could get one some day... Problem is they are too damn expensive!

You say they are so damn expensive, but that depends. If you've noted some of the prices on the 'bay' I tend to agree. But if you check out ads locally (depending where you're located) you could pick up a bargain.
One thing should be noted. A number of the 'expensive' ones on sale have been refurbished by specialists who add a larger than standard hard drive, add more RAM and often have a fully working battery (the latter alone is worth $50 or thereabouts). Where the case has also been refurbished/polished to 'as new' condition, that I know is a very time consuming task (I've tried it once), so the specialists add on a charge for that.
On the other hand, if one wants a working Clamshell with a dead battery, and basically good aesthetically, then with a little patience and depending on your location, you'll probably eventually find one for around $50.
By the way, what do you consider as 'expensive' for a basic working clamshell?

 

[Gamer9430]

You say they are so damn expensive, but that depends. If you've noted some of the prices on the 'bay' I tend to agree. But if you check out ads locally (depending where you're located) you could pick up a bargain.
One thing should be noted. A number of the 'expensive' ones on sale have been refurbished by specialists who add a larger than standard hard drive, add more RAM and often have a fully working battery (the latter alone is worth $50 or thereabouts). Where the case has also been refurbished/polished to 'as new' condition, that I know is a very time consuming task (I've tried it once), so the specialists add on a charge for that.
On the other hand, if one wants a working Clamshell with a dead battery, and basically good aesthetically, then with a little patience and depending on your location, you'll probably eventually find one for around $50.
By the way, what do you consider as 'expensive' for a basic working clamshell?

New Jersey seems like a dead zone for PPCs on local listings. I'd gladly take a machine that needs work because I enjoy restoring them. And I find clamshells expensive for my budget if they are over $75. $50 is a fair price, but I simply don't have $50 for a laptop that's more of a novelty than anything else. Snow iBooks and G4 iBooks are much more useful, as well as the later PBG3s and all of the PBG4s that are 1GHz and up, let alone much cheaper. Don't get me wrong, the machines are absolutely stunning and I'd love one, but it wouldn't be too productive with the tiny resolution.

 

[Hrududu]

Great collection! Congratulations. And there was I thinking I was the only mad one when it comes to iBook Clamshells.....
Seriously, your post is very timely as only last week I too managed to complete my Clamshell collection. Here are a few shown a few months back prior to my latest acquisition.

I thought I’d like to share with you my recent finding.
I’d been after a Lime Green clamshell for over 2 years, and seen one or two listed as what I would consider ‘silly’ prices.
I saw a local ad for one which said, (and I translate) “I’m selling a collectors piece - that is to say not working (!) which dates from 2000, the price is 150 euros ($165) or near offer.” Obvious not what I was after, although I was tempted to tell him I had a number of Mac ‘collectors pieces’, all of which working and in superb condition.

Then another ad appeared showing a Lime clamshell booted into OS 9. No other details indicated, so unsure if a 330MHz or 466MHz model. I offered 70€ (equivalent of $76). The guy replied that he wanted 170€ ($190) – “the price of it’s rarity.”
Then a month later, identical photos of the same Lime clamshell, but from a different location. I sent an email inquiring his price. A reply came back (from the same guy as before (as the e-mail address was the same), saying, “400€ - the price of it’s rarity.” ($436)! I was tempted to tell him exactly what to do with it.

Now here’s where the tale becomes a little more interesting.
Just last week I spotted another ad. Very well detailed indicating a Lime Green Clamshell Special Edition 466MHz, excellent condition, with carry-case, original yoyo power-pack/charger, battery unserviceable. I immediately e-mailed saying I’d take it if still available and if the seller was willing to except a personal check, and insured delivery to my address.
The guy agreed, I asked for his contact number, and over a phone call convinced myself that what he was proposing was ‘the real thing’. Following a payment, the clamshell was delivered. First pics:

On unpacking I could see that it was as nice as in the ad photos, although I thought a good clean would transform it from a nice tidy machine into a showcase example. The OS is 9.2, and I was delighted to find PhotoShop and Illustrator apps loaded. There were one or two scuff marks, which will disappear after a bit of TLC.
My little lady on first seeing it said, “It looks a bit girlie!” but heh, I could be highly tempted to grow my hair long and wear a frock before parting with this delightful piece of kit.
Oh, the price? 60€ ($65)!! I can still hardly believe my luck.
Over the coming days I must find time to clean this one up back to pristine condition, and do a group shot of all my beautiful 'old-girls'.

Nice work! Great price on that Limebook. Do you use Magic Erasers on yours? I have done some great work on my iBooks with those. They remove all kinds of marks with little effort and no damage to the soft rubber.

 

[Gamer9430]

Nice work! Great price on that Limebook. Do you use Magic Erasers on yours? I have done some great work on my iBooks with those. They remove all kinds of marks with little effort and no damage to the soft rubber.

What iBooks? My G4 12in needs a little love, and it wouldn't hurt to try it on other laptops

 

[CooperBox]

Nice work! Great price on that Limebook. Do you use Magic Erasers on yours? I have done some great work on my iBooks with those. They remove all kinds of marks with little effort and no damage to the soft rubber.

Thanks. Yes, I've found the Magic Eraser pretty effective. Having said that, I have a very nice Graphite 366MHz model with the number 47 annotated on the bottom casing with an indelible marker. (I guess it may have been allocated and used in a educational role). The Magic Eraser won't shift it, and I'm reluctant to use any alcohol-based solvent for fear of damage. Any ideas please?

 

[CooperBox]

New Jersey seems like a dead zone for PPCs on local listings. I'd gladly take a machine that needs work because I enjoy restoring them. And I find clamshells expensive for my budget if they are over $75. $50 is a fair price, but I simply don't have $50 for a laptop that's more of a novelty than anything else. Snow iBooks and G4 iBooks are much more useful, as well as the later PBG3s and all of the PBG4s that are 1GHz and up, let alone much cheaper. Don't get me wrong, the machines are absolutely stunning and I'd love one, but it wouldn't be too productive with the tiny resolution.

Interesting. Especially how the market appears to be significantly different from one location to another. Here for example I could easily find 2 Clamshells for the price of one PowerBook G4 greater than 1GHz.

 

[Gamer9430]

Interesting. Especially how the market appears to be significantly different from one location to another. Here for example I could easily find 2 Clamshells for the price of one PowerBook G4 greater than 1GHz.

Wow, that's impressive!

 

[bobesch]

Interesting. Especially how the market appears to be significantly different from one location to another. Here for example I could easily find 2 Clamshells for the price of one PowerBook G4 greater than 1GHz.

You are happy to "live like god in France" concerning a lot of things.
Great food, wonderful countryside, culture and les beaux arts ...
I've got my wonderful G3-Graphite from a nice seller "down" from Elsac.
Only drawback is the French-keyboard localization that needed replacement for my purpose (so for buyers from UK or USA).
Salut!

 

[CooperBox]

You are happy to "live like god in France" concerning a lot of things.
Great food, wonderful countryside, culture and les beaux arts ...
I've got my wonderful G3-Graphite from a nice seller "down" from Elsac.
Only drawback is the French-keyboard localization that needed replacement for my purpose (so for buyers from UK or USA).
Salut!

You raise a pertinent issue with your last statement. I find it practically impossible to find a Clamshell here with a QWERTY keyboard, that's one of the downsides. Over a long period I've found one only with QWERTY (and purchased it), but it had the OS and MS Office suite in Spanish!!
Still fond of it though. All my others have an AZERTY keyboard (damn foreigners.....)

 

[weckart]

Interesting. Especially how the market appears to be significantly different from one location to another. Here for example I could easily find 2 Clamshells for the price of one PowerBook G4 greater than 1GHz.

France can be quite good for spare parts for old PowerBooks - scarce memory modules and the like crop up there at reasonable prices, unlike elsewhere. Recently, a TAM was sold BIN for €190! Boxed with all bits bar the bass unit. A bass unit went on sale in the UK and US not long after. Someone got a bargain if they coordinated purchases right.

Thanks. Yes, I've found the Magic Eraser pretty effective. Having said that, I have a very nice Graphite 366MHz model with the number 47 annotated on the bottom casing with an indelible marker. (I guess it may have been allocated and used in a educational role). The Magic Eraser won't shift it, and I'm reluctant to use any alcohol-based solvent for fear of damage. Any ideas please?

I have removed some stubborn permanent pen marks using isopropyl in conjunction with a magic eraser - even on CDs. You have to be careful as some, like Apple's CDs, have ink on the surface of the CD and the alcohol can break this up so it flakes off before it even works on the marker stains. The rubber and plastic underside of the Clamshells should be made of hardier stuff, though.

 

[CooperBox]

Here are my dear little old ladies set up for a group shot.
Two of the Graphite SE models had the Apple logo missing from the top case. I made a light-blue one (which I'm not happy with and will change for a darker shade).
The other I made in black with a S.J. cut-out profile, which I call my Graphite SE 'Commemorative' (Ref. photo 3). I note it's a few degrees out of centre so that too will be changed as soon as I can make another.

Indigo Firewire complete with original box and all accessories.

 

[CooperBox]

iBook Key Lime SE 466MHz & Indigo Firewire 366MHz pose between G4 Cube and 20" iMac G4.

 

[weckart]

Because of this thread I decided to track a Key Lime Clamshell that went up on eBay.de. It just closed at €251, which is approx $276, with plenty of bidders. The Key Lime is definitely still a sought after collector's item. Out of the PPC notebooks, I think only the super rare PowerBook 2400 comes close.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Apple-iBook-M6411-Clamshell-Firewire-466-DVD-KEY-LIME-Raritaet-/291633920628

A tangerine iBook is closing shortly but I doubt it will reach those heady hights.

 

[CooperBox]

Because of this thread I decided to track a Key Lime Clamshell that went up on eBay.de. It just closed at €251, which is approx $276, with plenty of bidders. The Key Lime is definitely still a sought after collector's item. Out of the PPC notebooks, I think only the super rare PowerBook 2400 comes close.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Apple-iBook-M6411-Clamshell-Firewire-466-DVD-KEY-LIME-Raritaet-/291633920628

A tangerine iBook is closing shortly but I doubt it will reach those heady hights.

There's a tangerine clamshell in good working condition (dead battery of course) with yoyo and Os 9.1 quite close to me at 120€ ($131) - rather on the high price imho.