..seeking a(n)other source of SSD for iBook G4..?

Been considering upgrade to antique iBook G4 12-in 1.33GHz mid 2005

a last build model, with SSD while these solid state drives for ATA/IDE

(from OWC) have gone extinct from their source.


Mine is low hours, officially refurbished from Apple online in 2005; still

has their clear plastic over the white plastic. And one of the last nupower

batteries OWC sold for this model, in working condition and restored to

the original Tiger 10.4.(11) from included DVD media. W/ nice accessories.


However the SSD replacement from OWC had since faded; even their

series 'shipped with adapter' to fit later SSD to PATA/IDE is no longer

available. A few on amazon or other sites; rare, and nothing locally.


I've other Macs and even first edition MacBook1.1 early 2006. And later

2012 mid MacBook Pro, seldom used at present. Plus two desktop macs.


Any ideas for this project; other than troublesome task to fit one, and

online instructions (or video, etc) with warnings of damage, etc.?


Thank you for any ideas: recent source info and experienced hints..

(three words come to mind: don't do it)


Take care & happy computing!🌻🍀


Posted on Dec 21, 2019 11:02 AM

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3 replies

Jan 4, 2020 10:23 AM in response to K Shaffer

PS: A reply from the OWC main US support suggests to try their other partners to see

if they've any old stock may exist among them; since the depreciated designs of PATA/

IDE (ATA) are no longer available and cannot be supplied from their main location.


From their reply email, here's a web address to contact their other suppliers that may

have older PATA/IDE SSD design hardware supported in older Mac architecture.


"We don't carry the IDE (SSD) drives anymore, only options we sell are

SATA drives with IDE conversion kits on them that will not work in your

current setup. You could check to see if one of our resellers might have

an IDE version still - although that is not overly likely:

https://www.owcdigital.com/reseller/resellers#reseller


..I would steer you more towards eBay or other such sellers online since

they are going to have the largest selection of parts. Possibly somewhere

like iFixit, though eBay may be more flexible with shipping to AK. I have

no doubt that you can find the parts, we just no longer carry them I am

sorry to say. .." ~ Sincerely, D.B. , Tech. Experience, OWC.


While there are adapters with the previously linked product, with SSD and ATA/IDE

in their name and description, these are said to not fully complement the older

hardware and so cannot function with older Macs. The product 'example' presently

on OWC site, quoted from earlier post: "The part number includes an adapter for 3.5-

inch from OWC for use in G4 iMac.

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDMXLE500/ While this actual SSD is 2.5-inch

by specs. OWC used to sell SSD for PATA/IDE." ~ Is said to not have the correct 2.5-in

SSD for direct use with older Mac hardware. (But I will wonder!)


This, to thank OWC for a reply to my inquiry. And note some of their main site, still

appears to retain outdated detail.



Jan 1, 2020 12:49 AM in response to TraytonCN

The OWC company suggests there may (or not) be solution to SSD quest

IF their 2.5-inch SSD from this kit ~ could be extracted and work by itself..


The product is clearly not marketed as directly interchangeable as such.

But their parts may be useful; so awaiting a reply because I could use two.

My G4 Mac mini (Late 2005) 1.5GHz could also use a 2.5-inch SSD as well.


The part number includes an adapter for 3.5-inch from OWC for use in G4 iMac.

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDMXLE500/

While this actual SSD is 2.5-inch by specs. OWC used to sell SSD for PATA/IDE.


Not sure another discussion forum could catch up to where this topic is already.

{..And didn't see anything close in generic mac user site; I'm seeking options..}


Thank you for the reply!🌞🌤


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..seeking a(n)other source of SSD for iBook G4..?

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