Installing a larger hard drive in Powerbook G4?

**Hugh Jass** · 12-26-2006, 08:49 PM

I have run a 12" Powerbook G4 since they came out. Sweet machine, but I'm severely limited by the 40GB hard drive. My RAM is at 640MB, but that's not my issue. My issue is storage space.

I'd like to drop in a 80, 120 or larger hard drive, but Apple won't sell me one. Has anyone done this? Any vendors or services to recommend?

**Professor Chaos** · 12-26-2006, 09:00 PM

Thought about external HDs? When I got my Powerbook I got a friend who works for Apple to customize it so he threw in a bunch of RAM and other addons for my video and audio card. He also took out the original HD and replaced it with a way bigger one so Im sure its possible, but Im guessing Apple doesnt really sell them seperately but rather hold them for people who order laptops and get them customized. Head down to your local Apple dealer or even Best Buy and see what they can do.

**dirtybryan** · 12-26-2006, 09:10 PM

I'm pretty sure the harddrive is a typical notebook harddrive which you should be able to replace with any other notebook harddrive. I'm pretty sure you would be able to find one to fit. Sorry I can't give you any specific information. That said, I picked up a 300gig seagate external from best buy last week for $150 out the door.

**Hugh Jass** · 12-26-2006, 10:51 PM

Thanks. I have a 250 gig backup at home, but would prefer to have more than 40 gig portable. And I agree, it would seem like nearly any drive would fit the existing space, and could be installed.

My wife's G3 ibook hard drive blew up, and for $150 apple mirrored the drive, and installed a new one. This is what I want, but I want a bigger one installed. Seems reasonable.

I'll check at the local apple store and see what they can do.

**Benny Profane** · 12-26-2006, 10:55 PM

Why won't Apple help you?

**Hugh Jass** · 12-26-2006, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

Why won't Apple help you?

The phone people are ignorant morons.

The real people (so far) are know-it-all fucktards.

**wi3dzmin** · 12-26-2006, 11:28 PM

I am a Mac jong... hopefully one of these helps you.

EDIT: Here's the software most of the articles seem to be referring.

**MrDirt** · 12-26-2006, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

The phone people are ignorant morons.

The real people (so far) are know-it-all fucktards.

Ever been to an apple store with their apple Genius motherfuckers? Biggest, most unjustly arrogant retards on the planet.

**Shen** · 12-26-2006, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

I'd like to drop in a 80, 120 or larger hard drive, but Apple won't sell me one. Has anyone done this? Any vendors or services to recommend?

Here

8675309

**Hugh Jass** · 12-27-2006, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by wi3dzmin

EDIT: Here's the software most of the articles seem to be referring.

Sweet. Thanks mang.

Originally Posted by MrDirt

Ever been to an apple store with their apple Genius motherfuckers? Biggest, most unjustly arrogant retards on the planet.

Exactly who I was talking about.

Originally Posted by Shen

golden link

You are the muthafuggin man. Thanks!

**RShea** · 12-27-2006, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by dirtybryan

I'm pretty sure the harddrive is a typical notebook harddrive which you should be able to replace with any other notebook harddrive. I'm pretty sure you would be able to find one to fit. Sorry I can't give you any specific information. That said, I picked up a 300gig seagate external from best buy last week for $150 out the door.

If it is a notebook hard drive (2.5" drive to fit in the smaller area of the notebooks) then the one you quote will not fit- it is 3.5" drive and also requires power for the enclosure. The notebook drives are presently limited to about 100 gig on a single 2.5" hard drive with today's technology. (note, I now see that the mention was about external, sorry missed that the first time)

I do not know enough about Mac's to say but if in doubt contact a company like Road Warrior or similar company that specializes in hard drive kits for many notebooks. They test the drives, verify issues like the computer can recognize the larger sized hard drive (usually a Bios issue on the PC side) and the various mounting items that may be needed are included. You spend more than just getting a generic hard drive, but have support and instructions that are helpful to the average person.

To the OP:
For Mac specific issues you may want to look at this link:
http://www.smalldog.com/newsarchive/...lay.php?id=251

**trouble** · 12-27-2006, 01:34 PM

I got an internal dvd burner from www.ifixit.com for my 12 inch powerbook. Gonna attempt to replace it today, so I will let you know how well their instructions work. They seem to have most any internal parts for powerbooks, including upgrades, with installation instructions and drivers

**Hugh Jass** · 12-27-2006, 02:55 PM

Good find. Let me know how that goes. I have a creaky combodrive I'd like to replace too.

**Eldo** · 12-27-2006, 04:05 PM

I replaced a crapped out 40GB/4,200rpm HD in my iBook with an 80GB/5,400rpm using the instructions from the ifixit website. If you're reasonably handy with fixing things it should be no problem.

Bonus was a nice boost in performance due to the faster HD speed. No issues with additional heat, which is why I decided against a 7,200rpm drive.

Check out http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/drived....drivedb.lasso. You can search and read other people's experiences with various models of HDs and see which ones to avoid.

**trouble** · 12-27-2006, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by trouble

I got an internal dvd burner from www.ifixit.com for my 12 inch powerbook. Gonna attempt to replace it today, so I will let you know how well their instructions work. They seem to have most any internal parts for powerbooks, including upgrades, with installation instructions and drivers

Well it seems to work. Kind of ridiculous how much stuff you have to take out to get to the optical drive on a 12 inch, so it took a while. If you do it, definitely get a bunch of cups to keep the screws separated into steps. Instructions worked pretty well I'd say.

**dirtybryan** · 12-27-2006, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by RShea

If it is a notebook hard drive (2.5" drive to fit in the smaller area of the notebooks) then the one you quote will not fit- it is 3.5" drive and also requires power for the enclosure. The notebook drives are presently limited to about 100 gig on a single 2.5" hard drive with today's technology. (note, I now see that the mention was about external, sorry missed that the first time)

Ummm yea I know. I was just pointing out what a deal externals can be (mine the seagate, 50 cents per gig), if you don't need to be carrying around large amounts of data all the time. Like you said, notebook harddrives are 2.5" and I believe they make them as big as 120gig.

**RShea** · 12-27-2006, 11:28 PM

Many of the 120 gig hard drives are the newer SATA interface, so again you have to be careful as to the interface needed. Most older notebooks have the standard IDE interface, and most of them are 100 gig max. There are exceptions but they are the priceist drives out there.

**Larryl** · 12-27-2006, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by RShea

Many of the 120 gig hard drives are the newer SATA interface, so again you have to be careful as to the interface needed. Most older notebooks have the standard IDE interface, and most of them are 100 gig max. There are exceptions but they are the priceist drives out there.

Did Apple say their powerbook internal HD has a max. limit of 100 GB? If so, good to know. I should look it up at the Apple's website.

**RShea** · 12-28-2006, 03:41 AM

Originally Posted by Larryl

Did Apple say their powerbook internal HD has a max. limit of 100 GB? If so, good to know. I should look it up at the Apple's website.

Can't speak for what Apple says, I am only pointing out that the higher capacity (re over 100 gig) notebook drives are either one of 2 interfaces- PATA/IDE or newer SATA and the Mac will probably not handle both unless there are specialty adapters to convert.

There are a few 120 gig and 160 gig notebook hard drives at least anounced (and my well be shipping too) but many are the newer SATA interface not the older PATA