iBook G3 and iBook G4... same external case?

January 21, 2006 11:16 PM

I have an old 12" G3 500 iBook. Someone has a 12" G4 800 iBook he's selling because the case where the battery goes in is cracked and the battery won't stay in. I'm wondering if the cases are identical and if I can buy his and slip it into my case. Possible? How would I find out?
posted by You Should See the Other Guy to computers & internet (6 comments total)

The good folks over at PB FixIt have a pretty extensive database.

I can see the two machines logic boards.

This is the 12" G3 500 Mhz

and

And this is the 12" G4 800 Mhz

Of course flipping the problem about, you can get
the lower case for the G4 pretty cheaply. Maybe grab the other guys machine and rebuild it's case is the way forward? Ebay your G3 and you might just make out.

I don't know how definitive this guide is - I've used it to good effect in the past to help fix other Mac's, without a problem - but it would appear that logic board swap might be problematic. The port out configuration is somewhat different for starters. There might even be size differences - it's difficult to tell from the photos.

You might entertain dropping them an email, asking if this change is possible. Of course they'd rather you purchase the new logic board from them, but I've always found them willing to answer questions.

Best of luck!
posted by Mutant at 12:55 AM on January 22, 2006

It won't work. The internal frames mounting points do not match up.
posted by machaus at 6:11 AM on January 22, 2006

I concur with Machaus. Having taken the two apart, I can say with 100% certainty that your plan will not work—not even close.

In any event, I would look at the G4 iBook sale with more suspicion.
posted by Mo Nickels at 6:49 AM on January 22, 2006

Yeah, if the ibook has been dropped, there could be other issues further down the line if any solders or other connections have been weakened.
posted by cellphone at 7:28 AM on January 22, 2006

Hmm. Okay, thanks all. Guess I'll pass on it.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 8:35 AM on January 22, 2006

You might still be able to use his battery...
posted by polyglot at 7:41 PM on January 22, 2006