SSD installation in PowerBook 12" 1.5Ghz

[Argyboy]

Hi PPC friends,

I recently came into ownership of a 12" PowerBook 1.5Ghz (A1104) with 768MB RAM and am considering upgrading the hard drive to an mSATA SSD connected through an IDE adapter. Just wondering if anyone can tell me what sort of speed/responsiveness increase I can expect if I make this upgrade - I'm obviously aware that the IDE interface will bottleneck the SSD a lot, but am just curious about how much of a difference an SSD upgrade would make in these old machines. Would likely end up running Debian on this machine, as the DVD drive is borked and have found it difficult to boot an OSX installer through USB. Debian would also be nice in terms of running more recent software.

Or, would a RAM bump to 1.25GB be a better upgrade?

Interested to hear any feedback from fellow PowerBook users. Thanks for reading!

 

[Amethyst1]

Or, would a RAM bump to 1.25GB be a better upgrade?

Do both RAM and SSD You'll not regret it.

 

[eyoungren]

There will be a speed increase. Not a huge increase, but it will be noticeable. Additionally, you'll notice the fans won't come on as much.

DVD replacement drives are cheap on eBay. If you're going to go through all that pain to put an SSD in the 12" PowerBook you might as well replace the optical drive.

But, if your choice is either the RAM or the optical drive, increase the RAM.

 

[bsamcash]

Definitely the RAM. I haven’t upgraded the drive. But if I were to, I would probably do a CF adapter instead.

 

[Argyboy]

Thanks to all for the replies! Such a nice little machine. The keyboard is one of the nicest I've ever typed on.

 

[CooperBox]

Congrats on finding a nice 12" PBook. Excellent little machines.
Firstly, I agree with amethyst1. Do both RAM and SSD, you'll never regret it.
Secondly, too bad the DVD drive is defective. As eyoungren states, DVD replacement drives are cheap, and yes the installation of an SSD is a little painful, mainly due to removal of the top cover in order to get access. However you should be advised that a change of the optical drive requires the removal of the logic board, which I would recommend anyway during tear-down to renew the CPU thermal paste which normally will be dried and flakey after 14-15 years use.
The bad news is, these 12" PowerBooks are a pain to fully tear-down and refurbish, especially if never attempted before on this model. The good news is, once you have succeeded, imho you will find all other laptops so easy in comparison. In terms of Apple laptops, I rate this model the most difficult to completely refurbish, followed by the G3 Clamshell.
HERE's the iFixit link which directs through the 53 steps for logic-board removal.
Don't worry if you experience difficulties with fracture of one or more of the 3 heatsink retaining studs. aphoticD gave an excellent tear-down report HERE.
lastic experienced fracture of heatsink studs, and I did too during tear-down, which I rectified with a dab of Araldite.
There's lots of experience on this forum for the 12" PBook, so if you feel motivated, go for it! If any problems should be encountered I'm sure there's someone here to help out.
I've refurbished two of mine, and have a 3rd 1.5Ghz model awaiting in the wings. I just need a little more motivation to commence, as I hate having to remove those 4 keys to get to the keyboard retaining screws.

 

[eyoungren]

The bad news is, these 12" PowerBooks are a pain to fully tear-down and refurbish, especially if never attempted before on this model. The good news is, once you have succeeded, imho you will find all other laptops so easy in comparison. In terms of Apple laptops, I rate this model the most difficult to completely refurbish, followed by the G3 Clamshell.

Just don't forget to reconnect the logicboard connector UNDERNEATH the logicboard when you put things back together.

Or to put the heatsink back…or put the screws back in the right places.

'Cause you know, after 8 hours of tearing down the system twice from 12am to 8am you may end up resorting to a hacksaw for that extra long screw that's poking out through the RAM door seal.

Which doesn't work by the way and means you end up tearing the system down for the third time, breaking the sleeplight connector and a key off the keyboard.

Yeah…don't forget any of that and this won't happen!

 

[Project Alice]

Definitely the RAM. I haven’t upgraded the drive. But if I were to, I would probably do a CF adapter instead.

I would not use a CF adapter. Especially not in a 12” PowerBook. Because when it fails after three months of usage you’ll not want to open it back up again.

Get an msata SSD.