Installing MBP keyboard in MB?

[wjlafrance]

Hey guys, I have a previous-gen (late '09) MB and I was wondering if a MBP keyboard can be installed. Also, is there a site online that I can buy a keyboard at without the entire upper case assembly? iFixit has the entire assembly for sale for $299. I'd much rather stick a book light on the top of my screen.

Thanks guys!

 

[wjlafrance]

Bump. No dice?

 

[mrsir2009]

So, your trying to install a Unibody MacBook Pro keyboard into a unibody MacBook?

 

[wjlafrance]

Yeah

 

[mrsir2009]

It might be possible. But you'll have to remove the whole bottom case in order to get it out (on both machines). Google some walkthroughs, as I'm sure there are quite a few telling you how to remove and case and insert the keyboard.

 

[miles01110]

It might be possible. But you'll have to remove the whole bottom case in order to get it out (on both machines).

Actually it's the top case, and the keyboard is an additional assembly attached to it.

This is going to be more trouble than it's worth.

 

[wjlafrance]

Actually it's the top case, and the keyboard is an additional assembly attached to it.

This is going to be more trouble than it's worth.

Yeah, and expensive. I'll be getting an MBP next time.

 

[mrsir2009]

Oops, I meant top case. Anyway, why are you sticking a MBP keyboard into a MB for?

 

[wjlafrance]

Oops, I meant top case. Anyway, why are you sticking a MBP keyboard into a MB for?

For the backlit-ness.

 

[mrsir2009]

For the backlit-ness.

Don't the new unibodies MacBool's come with backlit keyboards?

 

[wjlafrance]

Don't the new unibodies MacBool's come with backlit keyboards?

Maybe the mid 2010's, but not the late 2009's, which I have.

 

[mrsir2009]

Maybe the mid 2010's, but not the late 2009's, which I have.

Ok. Lol your MacBook must look strange, because its white but with a black ekyboard

 

[foltzie]

Not trying to dissuade you from hacking for hacking's sake, but is the utility improvement worth the cost?

You would also have to account for whatever interface the MBP uses to get the brightness info to the backlight mechanism and edit some plist files to get the OS to use the backlight.

At $299 for the keyboard assembly, you might make out reasonably well to sell your old Macbook and get a new MBP.

 

[mrsir2009]

Yes, you'll have to do some modds ta make it work. Is it really worth it?

 

[fluffyx]

The connector cables are (slightly) different, and the MacBook's logic board does not supply power for the backlight. It'd require a significant amount of engineering; it's not as easy as replacing parts.

It'd be a much, much better idea to sell your MacBook (hey, it has great resale value!) and buy a new or lightly used MacBook Pro.

Best wishes!

 

[wjlafrance]

The connector cables are (slightly) different, and the MacBook's logic board does not supply power for the backlight. It'd require a significant amount of engineering; it's not as easy as replacing parts.

It'd be a much, much better idea to sell your MacBook (hey, it has great resale value!) and buy a new or lightly used MacBook Pro.

Best wishes!

Thanks - that's exactly the answer I was looking for. So, it'll be prohibitively difficult to get the thing apart, and then I'd have to jerry-rig the logic board. Definite no.