Bob:
Just replaced the 10GB drive in a iBook 500MHz with a 40GB 5400rpm
TravelStar yesterday when I upgraded it to 10.4. I first replaced a
Pismo stock drive with a Hitachi 30GB years ago... and was AMAZED at
how much faster my Pismo was running 9.2.2 than it was with the old
drive. If Apple still cripples their computers with drives that are
really too slow compared to the rest of the system, a faster drive
can make a huge difference in overall system performance. There are
places you can see system comparisons like barefeats.com, etc. to get
some idea on what the impact will be. Unfortunately, a small
percentage increase in the "benchmark" can translate to no
appreciable difference or to a huge perceived impact in performance
in the Finder... which can make it hard to discern whether that
7200rpm drive is worth the investment over that 5400rpm drive.
In my personal experience, I would always go with a minimum of a
5400rpm drive. Typically, even though these drives are faster... they
are also newer and more efficient designs than the stock drive in
that older computer... and thus may actually pull less juice and/or
generate less heat than your stock drive even though they are bigger
and faster. You have to actually compare the specs of the drive to
really get a sense of this. I know that all of the drives that I've
replaced, while being bigger and faster, actually run cooler, quieter
and draw either the same or less power than the older, slower drive
they were replacing.
I personally prefer the Hitachi/Travelstar drives. Don't like the
Toshibas or Fujitsus although this is just a personal preference and
not something I can back up with hard facts to support.
If you want to get the best price for whatever brand/size drive you
purchase, I would recommend considering ZipZoomFly.com. When you are
ordering a commodity like this, no sense in paying a premium.
As far as taking apart the iBook, I can concur that it is the hardest
machine to take apart that Apple has made that I've had to take apart
and I agree that separating that damn plastic case is the biggest
pain. I have a set of screw drivers from Sears as well as a small hex
key set (the iBooks require a hex key for the first three screws you
remove on the bottom... the rest are Torx and Philips). The first
time you do it you think you are going to break the case... but you
don't and each successive time is easier. My advice would be to get
the official Apple service manual and just take your time following
everything step by step. You can locate the official Apple service
manuals online (although technically they are only supposed to be
available to authorized service providers) if you search for them or
if you have a friend who happens to have the pdf and is willing to
share it to you ;)
Good luck! ... Eric
On Aug 21, 2005, at 12:45 AM, bobgir2004 wrote:
I just loaded Tiger onto my G3 Dual-USB iBook with the 9.24GB
capacity
HD and I realize I barely have breathing room left.
Two questions:
1. Can a reasonably handy person (rebuilt the carburetor for
my 1965
Mustang once) replace the HD in this model iBook?
2. Can anyone recommend a HD?
I went to <http://www.pbparts.com/shop/> and found an 80 GB
Hard Drive
(Toshiba 5400RPM): This Toshiba 80GB 5400RPM drive has a huge 16MB
buffer,
improved noise reduction, and low power consumption. Here is a link
to specs
for the 8026GAX. This drive has a three year warranty from Toshiba
Note:
This drive is compatible with all G3 and G4 laptops. 8026GAX.
At the same site, also found: This is a Hitachi Travelstar
7K60 60GB
7200RPM 2.5in ATA-6 Mobile Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer. Here is the
spec PDF for
the Hitachi Travelstar 7K60. This drive is equiped with a large 8MB
Data
Buffer and a 7200 RPM Spindle Speed for increased performance.
Note: This
drive is compatible with all G3 and G4 laptops.
Would I see a noticeable difference in the 7200 vice the 5400
RPM drive?
This thing is already running very slow when compared to my G5 iMac.
The iBook now has an IBM-DJSA-210 HD, according to System
Profiler, and
when I looked it up online, I found that it runs at 4200RPM. So,
5400 would
be an improvement; 7200 would be a vast improvement, no??
Suggestions gratefully accepted and many thanks.
bob
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