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mod project: retro fit MBA screen to the unibody MB?
- Thread starter cryonic49
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The OP is brave and has brass balls. For these reasons, I hope this works out for them. I like to see chutzpah rewarded with success.
I wonder what "Cosmetic cover kit, MacBook Air (076-1284)" is:
http://www.applepalace.com/apple-ma...r/cosmetic-cover-kit-macbook-air-076-1284.asp
Unfortunately they don't have a picture or a good description. I searched on the part number, I don't find it anywhere else.
So I just discovered that I had cut the bluetooth data cable. So no bluetooth now... :-( Oh well.... Though, tonight I've managed to get the second hard drive installed hehe...
By the time I'm done with all the moddings, I'm gonna call this..
MacBook Air Pro
By the time I'm done with all the moddings, I'm gonna call this..
MacBook Air Pro
Attachments
Is the bluetooth data cable a strip connector or does it use wires? I'm sure it could be repaired or replaced.
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5F136 Safari/525.20)
when does the new screen come?
when does the new screen come?
The 11th..
Nope not really. It's a custom cable. It runs from the isight module, to the isight camera and then to the bluetooth module. See attached picture. Bluetooth module is the one on the left. Oh well, it no biggie. I don't use bluetooth, and if I ever do, I can always get one of the nano sized bluetooth adapters.
I did some more research on the b133ew03 panel. Apparently the v numbers do not determine whether if the panel is glossy or not. Looking at the specification pdf, they are just simple changes in EIDE version identifications. Don't know the details. So if you are going the same route as I am, just make sure the seller states that the panel is matte as most b133ew03s are glossy.
A bit of good news though - b133ew03 has a 30 pin LVDS cable, and I counted LP133WX2's connector - the same number. The voltage also seems to be about the same - 3.3v.
Bonus attachment - how I rigged the second hard drive
Attachments
little update:
they sent me the wrong panel :-( So it's going back and getting replaced
The black bezel came, but even some cutting and sanding, in the end, the isight hole doesn't match up well. So I made a template of the glass in illustrator and started to look for laser cutting companies online.
Does any one have recommendations on laser cut companies? One that cuts aluminum and also offers anodizing service would be the preference.
they sent me the wrong panel :-( So it's going back and getting replaced
The black bezel came, but even some cutting and sanding, in the end, the isight hole doesn't match up well. So I made a template of the glass in illustrator and started to look for laser cutting companies online.
Does any one have recommendations on laser cut companies? One that cuts aluminum and also offers anodizing service would be the preference.
I don't have any recommendation for a vendor, but...I would recommend that you anodize with a unique color! Just my two cents...
Rather than having a bezel fabricated, can you just spray the inside of the glass? Additionally, have you considered having the glass coated to minimize glare? As far as the iSight alignment, just take it to a machine shop or somewhere with a drill press and have it done. A motorcycle repair shop can prob sort that out.
Structural strength of the lid without the "glass"
cryonic49, I'm just curious as to how strong the aluminium lid is without the "glass"? It's just that the reason Apple insists on having that "glass" is probably just to reinforce the lid. Would you mind *gently* checking it out for us? Cheers.
cryonic49, I'm just curious as to how strong the aluminium lid is without the "glass"? It's just that the reason Apple insists on having that "glass" is probably just to reinforce the lid. Would you mind *gently* checking it out for us? Cheers.
So, how is this mod project coming? Are you getting a laser company to custom cut parts or are you finding alternative sources?
it's pretty strong.. considering that i was wedging the box cutter knife between the glass and the backing and used a lot of force to pry it open - no deformation is visible on the backing
As far as the bezel goes, I think I've settled on a vendor: frontpanelexpress.com
looks like it might cost me ~$50 get one. The only downside is that they cut pre-anodized aluminum, so that means there will be exposed cuts. I'll be checking in with the company to see if I can just sharpie in the edges
still waiting for a lcd panel.
cryonic49, you're my personal hero. I was thinking of doing this but I neither have the guts nor the knowledge.
If this works, I hope that some shops will offer display replacements for an acceptable price. I wouldn't dare to touch the glass part myself, but boy I would like to see the result!
Here's an (outdated) blog post that got me excited in the first place:
http://tweakosx.com/index.php/2007/11/19/replace-macbook-screen-a-tutorial/
If this works, I hope that some shops will offer display replacements for an acceptable price. I wouldn't dare to touch the glass part myself, but boy I would like to see the result!
Here's an (outdated) blog post that got me excited in the first place:
http://tweakosx.com/index.php/2007/11/19/replace-macbook-screen-a-tutorial/
And if you want to, add an anti-glare film at the end of the project:
http://www.powersupportusa.com/products/ef.php?category=pb
http://www.powersupportusa.com/products/ef.php?category=pb