Upgrading my rev A Air

[costabunny]

Well I have this wonderful machine - her name is Alice and she has helped keep at least some of my sanity while I am recovering at home.

She was donated to me by a wonderful monochrome furry demi She has also had a new battery thanks to another amazingly generous demi.

Now I dont have much to spend on her (being on benefits sucks the lower part of my rear side) but I would like to speed her up a bit and replace her keyboard if possible, as the space and n keys have days when they are uncooperative.

I cant seem to locate a supply for the UK spec keyboard (and dont even know if its possible - is the top cover the same layout?).

I have found an SSD that should help remove all the waiting I get http://www.amazon.co.uk/KingSpec-1-...8NQO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362841460&sr=8-2 if this is a good choice (its about the maximum I can possibly go).

Can anyone give me some advice on this one? (I can reinstall the OS from disk as I have a USB DVD).

The keyboard bit is trickier as I am beginning to think its a top plate replacement job.

I would think about trading for a newer 13" Air but again thats not really feasible for the foreseeable future.

any advice would be helpful folks

 

[Brian Y]

Well I have this wonderful machine - her name is Alice and she has helped keep at least some of my sanity while I am recovering at home.

She was donated to me by a wonderful monochrome furry demi She has also had a new battery thanks to another amazingly generous demi.

Now I dont have much to spend on her (being on benefits sucks the lower part of my rear side) but I would like to speed her up a bit and replace her keyboard if possible, as the space and n keys have days when they are uncooperative.

I cant seem to locate a supply for the UK spec keyboard (and dont even know if its possible - is the top cover the same layout?).

I have found an SSD that should help remove all the waiting I get http://www.amazon.co.uk/KingSpec-1-...8NQO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362841460&sr=8-2 if this is a good choice (its about the maximum I can possibly go).

Can anyone give me some advice on this one? (I can reinstall the OS from disk as I have a USB DVD).

The keyboard bit is trickier as I am beginning to think its a top plate replacement job.

I would think about trading for a newer 13" Air but again thats not really feasible for the foreseeable future.

any advice would be helpful folks

To replace the keyboard - you need to remove the top case (and possibly replace it if you can't find an actual keyboard). This isn't for the feint of heart - and is basically an entire rebuild of the machine (remove everything from the top case, and rebuild it in the new one).

 

[costabunny]

having looked at the pics on google I think to put a UK keyboard in mine (which is a US model) then I would need a UK top plate - the return key is bigger for starters

Might have to see if I can find a top plate/keyboard combo on ebay for a UK model (rev A)

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would this be sufficient for the job http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-Mac...puting_Housings_Touchpads&hash=item3ccec4ee18

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The model is correct A1237

 

[Brian Y]

922-8315 is the correct top case If you want a british one, look for B922-8315

 

[Macman45]

having looked at the pics on google I think to put a UK keyboard in mine (which is a US model) then I would need a UK top plate - the return key is bigger for starters

Might have to see if I can find a top plate/keyboard combo on ebay for a UK model (rev A)

----------

would this be sufficient for the job http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-Mac...puting_Housings_Touchpads&hash=item3ccec4ee18

----------

The model is correct A1237

Or buy one that's going for spares? I guess you might be taking a little risk, but they come up from time to time....Trouble is that most are US based...Ebay ( as much as I dislike it) might be a better bet.

 

[Macman45]

These people seem to have a pretty good selection of spares:

http://www.thebookyard.com/parts_macbook_air.php?cPath=256_103_232

 

[costabunny]

These people seem to have a pretty good selection of spares:

http://www.thebookyard.com/parts_macbook_air.php?cPath=256_103_232

wow they have lots of parts, even for my Alice (early 2008 model) - shame they are pricey

I think when the time comes the ebay topcase & keyboard combo will be a good bet.