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SSD install in Powerbook G4 12"
- Thread starter elinsound
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Larsvonhier
macrumors 68000
thejadedmonkey
macrumors G3
It looks like the 12" PB has a slightly smaller enclosure, 9.5mm instead of 12.5mm.
IIRC, you can just swap the drives, but I'm not sure that it would physically fit - it would depend on the drive you have in your 15".
everymac.com
IIRC, you can just swap the drives, but I'm not sure that it would physically fit - it would depend on the drive you have in your 15".
Mac SSD Upgrades for All PowerBook G4 Models - Macs By Capability: EveryMac.com
Hard drive and SSD upgrades for each Apple PowerBook G4 with complete specs. Includes storage speed, hard drive size and dimensions, SSD specifics, identifiers and more.
everymac.com
Seems you are concerned about software compatibility? Yes, of course, it will work. You can boot into target mode one of them right now and boot another one from it.
eyoungren
macrumors Nehalem
The 12" uses the same standard laptop size drive as the 15" and the 17" and pretty much every PC and and Mac in the world that uses that standard.
Now if your SSD is PATA/IDE then it's probably already that size. If you're using an M2 in a converter case then it's probably already that size. If however, you're using a SATA SSD with an adapter, then THAT is when you might run into problems.
Otherwise, the size of the bay is irrelevant. a 2.5 inch standard size laptop drive (or equivalent) is what is designed to fit.
ervus
macrumors 6502
2.5" drives can come in different height/thickness, iirc from 7mm to 15mm. A thin drive can fit a big hole, but not the other way around. There were also different requirements and connectors for interface, power, etc. For an SSD, the length can also be a factor if you need to include an adapter from SATA to PATA, for example. My powerbooks have those small mSATA drives wired to the 3.3v power source to save power (and make less heat).
To the OP, it sounds like you figured out what you needed. Good luck with the upgrade!
To the OP, it sounds like you figured out what you needed. Good luck with the upgrade!
eyoungren
macrumors Nehalem
When I got my wife her 12" PowerBook G4 oh so many years ago, I dropped in a WD Blue 250GB laptop hard drive. I did not even consider drive height, yet it fit, and this is the first I've ever heard about it. I'm not arguing, I'm just stating it never crossed my mind and I've never had any issue.
I have an M2 SSD in my 17" PowerBook G4 which is inside an adapter that is the same dimensions as a normal 2.5 laptop hard drive. Again, I had zero issues.
If I ever drop in another HD/SSD to these machines I will have to remember to check this out.
fao anybody else wanting to attempt this upgrade: this was only my second computer repair, and was not half as daunting of a task as forums/posters/etc make it out to be. saying that, i probably would have been lost without the ifixit guide - in which there is a step which requires disconnecting a rather fragile cable that, if even slightly yanked on, can render the momboard kaupt. as other comments have pointed, this step is not really necessary. thanks for help here, i adore this machine and it's nice to keep it ticking for its 20th birthday.
I should finally buy those exotic screw drivers and replace an HDD with an SSD too.
Didn’t know that disconnecting part was unnecessary btw.