iBook and DVDs

[dboh]

My brother bought an old iBook for my 9-year-old niece so she would stop monopolizing his computer with all her Internet wanderings and game playing. These are the specs he gave me:

model A1005
600 mgh
cpu PPC 7500 (1.12)
640 ram

I'm assuming it's this:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/iboo...book_600_2.html

He was assuming she could also watch movies on it while they travel, etc. but according to System Profiler, it came with a CD-drive. If I'm reading it correctly, this page shows that the-next-step-up iBooks can handle a Combo Drive.

http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-looku..._keywords=A1005

Am I correct that this iBook can be fitted with a Combo Drive? What are the odds I could even find one that would fit? And if I could, would I also need to install a card or something comparable?

Thanks for any help!

[krissel]

You can put a combo drive in that iBook but it won't be easy.

Here is a take apart for changing the drive.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Install...cal-Drive/133/1

New drive (way too expensive for an old iBook):

http://www.ifixit.com/iBook-Parts/iBook-G3...Drive/IF150-031

Cheaper:

http://mac.macrecycling.com/combo-drive-ib...4-p-100222.html

Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...4=263602_263622


The last option is of course the cheapest but it depends on how willing you are to do the install.  I wouldn't spend much on a new drive for that old machine. It would make more sense to buy a more capable used iBook.

[dboh]

Thanks so much!  

The mom had told me that there was a lever to swap drives in and out (like I had on my Lombard), so I thought the real issue would be finding a compatible drive. But they won't be up for this taking-apart stuff. It'd be kind of fun to give it a try, but I doubt they're interested in amusing me.

[Frances144]

My partner changed the optical drive in my old iBook (5 years old) as it was broken.  He describes the work as "not for the feint-hearted and fairly difficult".  He used the iFixit guides which were good and most helpful.  It was hard work (lots of swearing) but he did manage only cracking the case slightly!

....and two years on it still works fine.