Can a logic board from a newer iBook put in an older iBook?

I've got an iBook G4 (10.3.9 / 800 MHz / 12.1" / 30 GB) that has a bad logic board. I bought the machine in November of '03 (just 3 weeks too late for the exchange), and it broke 2 days short of 2 years later. I'm still able to use the machine by using a "C" clamp to apply pressure to the case about an inch to the left of the trackpad, but obviously this is unacceptable.

My question is this - I'd like to know if I can replace the old board with something from a newer iBook (e.g. the logic board of the 1 GHz model). This will be a do-it-myself project.

iBook G4 800 12.1" Mac OS X (10.3.9) Airport Extreme, 640 MB RAM

Posted on Nov 30, 2005 8:19 PM

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4 replies

Dec 1, 2005 3:33 PM in response to Ottergoose

Lyssa are you sure of this fact????? i was told by an e-bayer only a few days ago that it is not possible and it would not work.
Can anyone out there clarify this? has anyone sucessfully upgraded their logic board on a g4 12" ibook???
ottergoose i am in the same situation and am finding it impossible to locate a 800mhz logic board part number :661-2992 so if you find anywhere that stocks them in the uk please let me know (-:
also i found this link very helpful it is a step by step guide on how to install a new logic board. http://www.pbfixit.com/cart/catalog/

Dec 2, 2005 12:28 PM in response to ali debolla

I've read about people upgrading G3 500's to G3 700's, and from looking at pictures, it looks like the boards for G4 800/1.07/etc in the 12" form factor look like they're more or less identical. Based on that, I'm pretty sure that a newer board would fit just fine - my primary concern would be with heat and power. There's probably enough power already, but I'm not so sure about the heat issue...

Dec 2, 2005 5:11 PM in response to Ottergoose

http://www.haxor.dk/articles/ppc.html

has info on the different G4 cpus, if this helps you track down the right board.

Open up a terminal and type

machine

and hit enter to see your processor type. Several of the iBooks (800Mhz-1.2Ghz use the same CPU and motherboard/chipset. Just clocked higher, so there's a good chance that yes it would work.)

My 1Ghz is the G4 7450 cpu; I'd assume yours is the same. Good luck.



12 iBook G4 1Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.3) Other machine: Mandriva Linux i586

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Can a logic board from a newer iBook put in an older iBook?

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