Max hard disk size for iBook G4?

[BobC]

I'm considering upgrading the stock 60 GB HD in my iBook G4 (1.33 GHz), and looking at 120 GB and 160 GB drives. Is there any inherent limit on the size drive or volume the iBook can handle? Thanks.

[mstudio]

I think the G3 had a limitation but not the G4. Have you ever done this before? Not impossible but perhaps not for the faint of heart.

[clay]

I think either of those drives would work fine. mstudio brought up a good point though--it's a lengthy and somewhat tedious install.

If you do it, use an ice cube tray or double-sided tape to keep track of all the screws and where they all go. Use a good set of instructions, like the ifixit ones, as well.

I did it over a year and a half ago for my boss, and it was kind of a pain. But if it's your machine and you want it done, it's a lot cheaper than paying someone $300 to do it.

[MikeF]

Or go with an external and off load the iBook at your first chance... You can get a 250 GB FW400 for about $118...

[ajakeski]

G4 will handle whatever you have. About a hundred screws to do the job. See the instructions here:
ifixit.com

[Wailer]

The value of a 1.3ghz g4 ibook is around $300. Is it really worth sinking all the time and risk of messing something up to go from 60gb to 160gb?

Don't get me wrong. I love my g4 ibook and I'm stuck with the stock 30gb internal. But I'm going to save my pennies and buy the next macbook that is the same size as my ibook that apple releases, which will come with at least a 120gb drive. Who knows? They may never release one.

I've looked into upgrading the drive or paying for it to be done; It just isn't worth it for such an "antiquated" machine.

[BobC]

Thanks. Valid points there about the economics and the hassle. I've considered them and decided that it's (probably) worth doing anyway.

I'm trying to get an estimate from my university's IT shop on the install. I've reviewed the ifixit instructions and would consider taking on the challenge, but a reasonable price vs my DIY aggravation will sway me. You guys who've done it - how long did it take you?

To me, the iBook is worth keeping for a few reasons. I like the screen & keyboard better than the MacBook's. I have several add-ons for it that I'd regret abandoning/upgrading. There are some Classic apps that I use, and I'm not ready to tackle Sheepshaver yet. I bought it refurbed toward the end of the run, and it's been reliable, with a chunk of AppleCare remaining. Intangibly, I've always used my Macs for long periods (128k, Plus, PB 520, Umax clone, & iBook), so I've planned to ride this horse for a while.

I certainly understand how other folks' perspectives above would lead them to move on or let the iBook alone. I'm just a LowEndMac kinda guy, and willing to look at a different path.

[DarrinWard]

I did the upgrade the other day. If you can turn a screw and read instructions, then you can do this job - it really wasn't that hard. The hardest part is keeping track of the screws.

I was thinking about upgrading to a new mac because my poor ibook 12" g4 1.33GHz was starting to get slow, but this drive upgrade with a fresh install of Tiger has solved a lot of problems. Things are MUCH faster now.

There was a sight complication at the end... my computer didn't have a ribbon cable in the last step - instead the connector was soldered onto the motherboard, but it just snapped out instead. It was easy.

It turns out however that there may be one problem with my drive of choice (a 250GB Western Digital)... the heads are parking every few seconds, which is increasing the "load cycle count". Drive have a rating of about 600,000 cycles before they give up, so it looks like this drive may die quickly (I estimate 5-6 months). There is a workaround to the problem (disabling head-parking with hdapm), however that too has it's problems (the drive heats up to about 57 deg. C - too close to the upper rating of 60 deg. C operating temperature for comfort.).

Long story short... you can do it, but I recommend something closer to a 160GB drive from someone other than Western Digital. The original 40GB drive I took out was a Toshiba... I'd probably look for something from them when/if this drive fails.

Hope it works out for you. I've learned quite a lot by doing this (I knew almost nothing about hard drives just 3 days ago, and now I know a lot), so I recommend doing it so long as your machine is non-critical. And, of course, back everything up.

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Darrin Ward
DarrinWard.com