iBook Clamshell Keyboard swap?

[InsightsIE]

Hello,
I was just wondering if you can do a keyboard swap from a 300MHz iBook to a 466Mhz iBook SE and more specifically say there was a great deal on a 466 but it had like a French keyboard and you wanted to use the UK/USA keyboard from your 300MHZ, will that work? Their the same connector so I feel technically yes but experts might have another opinion?

Cheers.

 

[TheShortTimer]

Going by the experiences of @CooperBox in this thread, it would appear that the keyboards are indeed interchangeable between different Clamshell models.

Both of the KeyLime shown are the very rare SE Firewire 466MHz model, which - even with AZERTY keyboards took me ages to locate. Although it's been well recorded that Clamshell iBooks are fairly difficult to work on, the keyboards are easily interchangeable...

You could also use a keyboard from a Lombard PowerBook G3 if you spot a cheap one because they're compatible with Clamshell iBooks.

 

[InsightsIE]

Going by the experiences of @CooperBox in this thread, it would appear that the keyboards are indeed interchangeable between different Clamshell models.



You could also use a keyboard from a Lombard PowerBook G3 if you spot a cheap one because they're compatible with Clamshell iBooks.

Perfect, all I needed to know as I have my watch lists ready.

 

[TheShortTimer]

Perfect, all I needed to know as I have my watch lists ready.

Happy hunting!

 

[InsightsIE]

Happy hunting!

I made a fun video on YouTube about my 300MHz back in 2019 that a lot of people liked so I'd like to do a sequel with a 466MHz but I don't want Brexit import costs so I'm looking at a lot of European listings. Do you need a special Apple wire to do video out or does any video out that fits a 3.5mm jack work?

 

[TheShortTimer]

I made a fun video on YouTube about my 300MHz back in 2019 that a lot of people liked so I'd like to do a sequel with a 466MHz but I don't want Brexit import costs so I'm looking at a lot of European listings. Do you need a special Apple wire to do video out or does any video out that fits a 3.5mm jack work?

The Brexit import costs have scuppered many a purchase I'd like to make… I've got several of the 3.5mm A/V cables for usage with my MiniDV camcorders but I don't know if they're compatible with the 466Mhz SE because from what I've read, Apple might have used a proprietary version for their implementation in order to force you to purchase their cables.

As far as getting an RCA cable goes it's just a 3.5mm TRRS R/W/Y cable in all honestly. Those are plentiful online, but not really available in Retail because you will only find cables used by the majority. The problem with these non Apple cables is you may find you need to play with the jack placement a little depending on the wiring. This is an online only part since it’s only useful for legacy equipment not used by the majority. If you insist on the Apple cable, this is what it looks like.

The M8434G/A cable as you've seen is available on eBay but from U.S. sellers. You could just buy a cheapo 3.5mm camcorder A/V cable and see if it works. I would.

 

[InsightsIE]

The Brexit import costs have scuppered many a purchase I'd like to make… I've got several of the 3.5mm A/V cables for usage with my MiniDV camcorders but I don't know if they're compatible with the 466Mhz SE because from what I've read, Apple might have used a proprietary version for their implementation in order to force you to purchase their cables.



The M8434G/A cable as you've seen is available on eBay but from U.S. sellers. You could just buy a cheapo 3.5mm camcorder A/V cable and see if it works. I would.

Do we know if on Computers this old mirroring would impact machine performance if say you were playing a game? I always thought the original could do Video Out as I'm pretty sure Steve says in the keynote but apparently you need a 466mhz that has the 8mb of video ram. I know it's locked to mirroring and you can't extend monitor.

 

[TheShortTimer]

Do we know if on Computers this old mirroring would impact machine performance if say you were playing a game?

It wouldn't make a difference as the signal is just being output externally. I did this when gaming on a 486 laptop that only had a mono display so that I could enjoy the graphics in colour - considerably older than an iBook and there was no performance drop.

I always thought the original could do Video Out as I'm pretty sure Steve says in the keynote but apparently you need a 466mhz that has the 8mb of video ram. I know it's locked to mirroring and you can't extend monitor.

It's possible that the functionality was planned when Jobs delivered the keynote and then they failed to implement it in time for the initial machines. The 366Mhz and 466Mhz FireWire models possess the capability.

From EveryMac:

iBook	Ext. Display Connection
iBook G3/300 (Original/Clamshell)	None
iBook G3/366 SE (Original/Clamshell)	None
iBook G3/366 (Firewire/Clamshell)	None†
iBook G3/466 SE (Firewire/Clamshell)	None†

†These models can mirror the contents of the internal display on a television or projector via composite video out using the A/V port. Neither can support a second monitor.

 

[CooperBox]

I made a fun video on YouTube about my 300MHz back in 2019 that a lot of people liked so I'd like to do a sequel with a 466MHz but I don't want Brexit import costs so I'm looking at a lot of European listings. Do you need a special Apple wire to do video out or does any video out that fits a 3.5mm jack work?

If you wish I can probably point you in the direction of suitable ads in Europe for 466MHz iBook clamshells. I even have several myself........

 

[InsightsIE]

If you wish I can probably point you in the direction of suitable ads in Europe for 466MHz iBook clamshells. I even have several myself........

Slide into my PM’s if you wish haha. It visually needs to look good so no missing Apple Logo or Stem as I’ll be making videos on it.

I am leaning on just perhaps getting Keylime, I think it would pop more on camera compared to graphite even though that looks slick. That said back in the day I bought my iBook 300MHz for €70 and I think those days are gone.

 

[CooperBox]

Slide into my PM’s if you wish haha. It visually needs to look good so no missing Apple Logo or Stem as I’ll be making videos on it.

I am leaning on just perhaps getting Keylime, I think it would pop more on camera compared to graphite even though that looks slick. That said back in the day I bought my iBook 300MHz for €70 and I think those days are gone.

Good luck with finding an immaculate Keylime, they are now like hen's-teeth.
THIS was an interesting related thread.
I see there's one on a popular website offered at 1584euros, currently being followed by 34 people. Whether it will sell for that is anyone's guess, but rather that model than a freakish polka-dot example.
Just for the info, what's you budget?

 

[christiann]

Hello,
I was just wondering if you can do a keyboard swap from a 300MHz iBook to a 466Mhz iBook SE and more specifically say there was a great deal on a 466 but it had like a French keyboard and you wanted to use the UK/USA keyboard from your 300MHZ, will that work? Their the same connector so I feel technically yes but experts might have another opinion?

Cheers.

I just switched keyboards on a Snow iBook. It works well. Good luck (I don’t think you’ll need it, as it’s super easy to swap them)

 

[christiann]

Going by the experiences of @CooperBox in this thread, it would appear that the keyboards are indeed interchangeable between different Clamshell models.



You could also use a keyboard from a Lombard PowerBook G3 if you spot a cheap one because they're compatible with Clamshell iBooks.

I have a Lombard keyboard I am willing to sell, if you would be interested. It is missing a key though. I think it’s the M key that is missing.

 

[TheShortTimer]

I have a Lombard keyboard I am willing to sell, if you would be interested. It is missing a key though. I think it’s the M key that is missing.

Was that intended for the OP or myself? I think that you replied to me by mistake. I don't have a Clamshell iBook.

 

[christiann]

Was that intended for the OP or myself? I think that you replied to me by mistake. I don't have a Clamshell iBook.

Oops, that was for the OP. Do you know if Wallstreet keyboards work in Pismo/Lombard PBs?

 

[christiann]

The Brexit import costs have scuppered many a purchase I'd like to make… I've got several of the 3.5mm A/V cables for usage with my MiniDV camcorders but I don't know if they're compatible with the 466Mhz SE because from what I've read, Apple might have used a proprietary version for their implementation in order to force you to purchase their cables.



The M8434G/A cable as you've seen is available on eBay but from U.S. sellers. You could just buy a cheapo 3.5mm camcorder A/V cable and see if it works. I would.

Thank you for the part number. I’m going to order one right now. My iBook’s display is dying and I needed the AV cable for my SE Clamshell.

 

[TheShortTimer]

Oops, that was for the OP. Do you know if Wallstreet keyboards work in Pismo/Lombard PBs?

Google is always a great friend. I conjured up this thread:

Wallstreet keycaps are taller than Lombard/Pismo's. It might fit, but you probably wouldn't be able to close the lid without putting some unwanted pressure on the LCD.

Thank you for the part number. I’m going to order one right now. My iBook’s display is dying and I needed the AV cable for my SE Clamshell.

You're welcome.

Bear in mind that the quality of composite video will not be as good as a VGA/DVI/HDMI signal. You'll have to limit your expectations somewhat but at least you'll have a working display till you're able to replace the internal LCD.

 

[christiann]

Google is always a great friend. I conjured up this thread:





You're welcome.

Bear in mind that the quality of composite video will not be as good as a VGA/DVI/HDMI signal. You'll have to limit your expectations somewhat but at least you'll have a working display till you're able to replace the internal LCD.

Sorry if I am hijacking the thread, but do you happen to know if Snow iBook display cables work in Clamshells? I am going to attempt to swap the displays and display cables between the iBooks. Looks like the repair is going to be strenuous..

 

[TheShortTimer]

Sorry if I am hijacking the thread, but do you happen to know if Snow iBook display cables work in Clamshells? I am going to attempt to swap the displays and display cables between the iBooks.

Again, Google is a great friend.

Using it, I found the following discussion from within this very forum.

The clamshell displays are all compatible. You can even swap in a later 12" G3 iBook display, but there are some restrictions about that. I suggest further research if you want to do that.

From what I've read here, the issue with your white screen might be a blown fuse on the LCD itself.

I think some LCDs have a fuse on the LCD panel or something, and when it blows, the LCD displays a white screen.

Looks like the repair is going to be strenuous..

Dismantling iBooks is a strenuous activity. I have one that I partially dismantled and then I gave up on continuing any further... Take your time, document every step with images that you can refer to later and above all, be patient. You'll succeed. iFixit has guides which are usually quite good. If you haven't already checked out their Clamshell ones, here they are.

 

[CooperBox]

Again, Google is a great friend.

Using it, I found the following discussion from within this very forum.



From what I've read here, the issue with your white screen might be a blown fuse on the LCD itself.





Dismantling iBooks is a strenuous activity. I have one that I partially dismantled and then I gave up on continuing any further... Take your time, document every step with images that you can refer to later and above all, be patient. You'll succeed. iFixit has guides which are usually quite good. If you haven't already checked out their Clamshell ones, here they are.

Having dismantled quite a number of Clamshell iBooks I agree that it's not an Apple laptop that one should start out on if having never dismantled other models. Removing the keyboard and Ram sticks is simple. Removing the top cover can be stressful until one learns the trick. The HDD removal is an excercise in frustration and patience as the screen has to be removed and also a large, annoying EMI shield. What the devil were the Apple designers thinking of?

 

[TheShortTimer]

Having dismantled quite a number of Clamshell iBooks I agree that it's not an Apple laptop that one should start out on if having never dismantled other models. Removing the keyboard and Ram sticks is simple. Removing the top cover can be stressful until one learns the trick. The HDD removal is an excercise in frustration and patience as the screen has to be removed and also a large, annoying EMI shield.

This is why I abandoned an attempt at the halfway mark to replace the 10GB HDD in my iBook G3/500 with a 120GB SSD. At some point I'll return to it but as you can probably tell I'm hardly enthused about the task. I'd rather tackle the many soldering projects stacked up in my repair pile. They're easier!

What the devil were the Apple designers thinking of?

"We shall deter the consumer and non-Apple repair centres from tinkering with our laptops"? Either that or they wanted to make the Apple repair technicians suffer.

You have to wonder how many faulty machines were just replaced with new ones rather than endure the nightmare of disassembly just to remove a dead hard drive. On the contemporary products of their rivals, the HDD was usually accessible from a slide-away compartment and the removal of one screw.

 

[bobesch]

I was just wondering if you can do a keyboard swap from a 300MHz iBook to a 466Mhz iBook SE

Yes

It visually needs to look good so no missing Apple Logo or Stem

Good luck ...

You could also use a keyboard from a Lombard PowerBook G3 if you spot a cheap one because they're compatible with Clamshell iBooks.

Thanks - great to know about that! Though the Clamshall will look after the transplant like having been used by a heavy smoker for decades ...

I have a Lombard keyboard I am willing to sell, if you would be interested. It is missing a key though. I think it’s the M key

I've got a spare "M". Just in case.

Do you know if Wallstreet keyboards work in Pismo/Lombard PBs?

No.

 

[TheShortTimer]

Thanks - great to know about that! Though the Clamshall will look after the transplant like having been used by a heavy smoker for decades ...

Or potentially smell like it was used by a chain smoker for decades.

 

[christiann]

Yes

Good luck ...


Thanks - great to know about that! Though the Clamshall will look after the transplant like having been used by a heavy smoker for decades ...

I've got a spare "M". Just in case.

No.

Ugh… I hate this!!

 

[bobesch]

Do we know if on Computers this old mirroring would impact machine performance if say you were playing a game? I always thought the original could do Video Out as I'm pretty sure Steve says in the keynote but apparently you need a 466mhz that has the 8mb of video ram. I know it's locked to mirroring and you can't extend monitor.

This is, how it looks like, when running video&audio out through that "3.5-Klinke to Cinch-R/L-Audio+Video" cable ...
(well quite some time ago!)