Fixing Discolouration of iBook Clamshell

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http://siiveldotcom.blogspot.com/2016/01/discolouration-of-ibook-clamshell.html

Discolouration is a very common phenomena for iBook G3 Clamshell. Yet it is quite unusual that there are almost no article mentions about this in google, not to mention any remedy solution.

In my last article, I shown an Indigo Clamshell with plenty of white marks scatter over the rubber parts. It is frustrating to see a vintage Mac which is still fully functional but has such a poor cosmetic condition. So I decided to find a way to fix it.

Discolouration of iBook Clamshell

I thought that painting, perhaps, the best solution. After several attempts, I found that the permanent ink by "Shiny" done the job satisfactorily.

Shiny Blue Permanent Ink

Here were the photos taken after the paint work...

iBook Clamshell After Repaint

iBook Clamshell After Repaint

iBook Clamshell After Repaint

iBook Clamshell After Repaint

After the paint work, I applied a layer of protective film onto the shell. Wow, it is totally amazing, isn't it?

There is a video about the work:

Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

iBook G3 Clamshell Mod - Install 1400x1050 Pixels HD LCD

This is one of the passages about the iBook G3 Clamshell modification project, of which a logicboard of Intel i5 was being installed into the classic Apple iBook G3 Laptop.

We start this project in 2014. We finished it in April 2015. A video about this project was uploaded onto Youtube. And I have been using it for almost a year.

Actually, I am very satisfied with its performance:

The i5 CPU is fast. The system is very quiet, stable and smooth, even if being upgraded to Mac OS X El Capitan.

Temperature of CPU is around 50 degree celsius all time.

The design of iBook Clamshell is the most elegant laptop ever. The idea of inclusion of a handle is great. I like carry the iBook with the handle. No pouch or cover is ever needed.

I applied a layer of protective film onto the shell. The skin protects the laptop and is still adhere firmly after a year. There is no need to buy any cover for it.

It is amazing to use a classic laptop like this, perform contemporary tasks effectively after 16 year of its first issue.

However, honestly speaking, there are some limitations to the modified iBook.

First, the screen resolution is limited to 1024 by 768 pixels. Which is a very low technology in these days.

Secondly, the battery life is about 3.5 to 4 hours after fully charged. I am not satisfied with this. I will try to find out if this is caused by too many application being used at the same time.

Recently, the iBook's LCD screen was replaced, by an aviation-graded 12" HD LCD with resolution 1400x1050 pixels.

Upgrading the LCD of iBook Clamshell to 1400x1050

After the replacement, the System Preferences Window becomes smaller. Now the display can show more information; and it will be more meaningful to use the multi-tasking of Mac OS X El Capitan.

The Screen Resolutions of Macbook Air is 1440x900

In Apple's official site, it is declared that the resolutions of 13" MBA is 1440x900 whereas 11" is 1366x768. Now we have more pixels but in a smaller panel!

Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Tearing Off the Rubber Layering of iBook Clamshell

Thanks to a mixture of plastic and rubber casing, the iBook Clamshell is extra-ordinary tough against shocks. The rubber layering, however, is very easy to have marks appeared on it.

What is the nature of those marks?

Today I tried to tear off this rubber layering from the iBook to check the nature of those marks: are they remain inside the rubber? Or between the rubber layer and the plastic shell? 

I have a damaged graphite case for this experiments.

I started from a cut made by the cutter. And then I tore the plastic off with force.

The plastic attached firmly with the plastic shell. Huge amount of force was used. It is therefore unlikely that those mark are dirts penetrated between the rubber layering and the plastic shell.

There are 4 knots close to the battery door. It could not be tore off without the aid of a cutter.

Finally, I took apart the rubber layer from the plastic case. The plastic shell is still remaining clean. I conclude that those are not dirt, instead, discolour which could not be eliminated by water, detergent or alcohol. 

So, if your iBook Clam has marks appear.  Do not try to clean it because it could not help. It is better to have a replacement instead.

Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Discolouration of iBook Clamshell

Yesterday I conducted annual check of the iBook clamshells I have collected.

What I have done for the check up:

(1) a physical inspection: checked their outlooks, took photos. Any oxidation? discolouration? any deterioration in physical condition, when comparing with the record last year?

(2) a hardware test: plug and power on the unit, check the LCD, keyboard, trackpad, back light, AC connection, battery and so on...

(3) protective measures: such as replacement of dessicant, rewarping and repacking the units...

(4) maintain proper record after implementation of those work.

I noted the one of the iBook, which is of indigo colour, has been seriously discoloured. I don't know why. I checked its photos which were being taken last year. Those discolouration didn't exist at all.

Those discolouration concentrates at the rubber part of the iBook.

The indigo colour has fated into white colour.

Those discolouration scatter over that iBook.

Luckly, other iBooks were not affected.

I googled this syntom but in vain. It appears that no one has talk about this before.

It made me frustrated because I have no clue or idea to prevent it from happening again.

If you had any idea. Kindly share m(_ _)m I really appreciate that.

Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

iMac G3 Mod - Its Innards

After we have custom-made a CRT back for the LCD Panel, we put all the hardwares needed therein, which include logic board, fan, harddisks, sound controller board, and wires.

After several attempts and amendment, We were successful in putting those stuffs firmly and orderly inside the CRT back respectively, we call the whole structure "CRT-shaped Console" because it is now the brain of the new iMac.

In fact, connecting the wires between hardwares would be another challenge, it is because space inside the CRT-shaped Console is very limited. We have to use as least wires as possible to seize every milli-meter inside the Console.

Apart from making a CRT-shaped Console, we also retain the video board inside the iMac. By doing so, the modify iMac will be more resemble to the original one. However, this improvement comes with the expense of a heavier iMac.

Related Articles:

iMac G3 Mod - What is iMac G3?
iMac G3 Mod - iMac G3 "i7": an iMac G3 with i7 CPU

iMac G3 Mod - The LCD Panel

iMac G3 Mod - The Side Panel

iMac G3 Mod - Its Innards

Written by: Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber 

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

iMac G3 Mod - The Side Panel

Just finished making the Side Panel of iMac G3 i7 Version 2.0. Compare with the Version 1, this version has greater connectivity ability.

(1) Mic Jet;

(2) 3.5mm Stereo Jet;

(3) Firewire Port (could be changed to USB 3.0);

(4) and (6) USB 3.0;

(5) a Thunderbolt Cord; and

(6) Gigabite Ethernet.

Mic and speaker jets are new features of Version 2.

If you still have vintage devices like iSight Camera, iPod Gen 1-3 ..., you still need a FireWire Port, or just dropped it.

As there is no "female" Thunderbolt Port available in the market (unless being disassembled from a Thunderbolt device), the Thunderbolt Jet has no choice but to be built this way.

Related Articles:

iMac G3 Mod - What is iMac G3?
iMac G3 Mod - iMac G3 "i7": an iMac G3 with i7 CPU

iMac G3 Mod - The LCD Panel

iMac G3 Mod - The Side Panel

iMac G3 Mod - Its Innards

Written by: Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber 

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

iMac G3 Mod - iMac G3 "i7": an iMac G3 with i7 CPU

The original meaning of iMac G3 refers to the all-in-one desktop computer produced by Apple computer during 1998 to 2003 with a PowerPC G3 processor.

As a product of more than a decade. What can we make use of it in 2015?

(1) it is still a perfect tool for word processing.

(2) it can be used as a music player.

Anything else?

Honestly speaking, even if its hardware is still in good condition, its specification is unfit to meet our needs these days. Nowadays, computers need to handle more complex tasks, such as, backup data of mobile devices, edit and play HD movies, storage of photos, entertainment... Some tasks even need to implemented wirelessly, like sending media messages, syncing data with iCloud, and so on.

If we still want it to be our perfect companion, why don't we upgrade its hardware to meet this goal? Accordingly, we need to treat the iMac G3 housing as an ordinary computer case, in which the elements inside would be replaced and upgraded with latest ones.

iMac G3 "i7" is an integration of old with new elements. We replace the PowerPC G3 logicboard of iMac G3 with an Intel i7 logic board. The outlook of the iMac G3 has no change, but there is "a big change" inside. Instead of calling this modified machine iMac G3, we name it as "iMac G3 i7".

Up to this moment (March 2015), the iMac G3 i7 could be upgradable to the highest possible specification of 4GHz Intel Quad Core i7 with 32GB memory. 

Related Articles:

iMac G3 Mod - What is iMac G3?
iMac G3 Mod - iMac G3 "i7": an iMac G3 with i7 CPU

iMac G3 Mod - The LCD Panel

iMac G3 Mod - The Side Panel

iMac G3 Mod - Its Innards

Written by: Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber 

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

iMac G3 Mod - The LCD Panel

The iMac G3 has a translucent plastic case. in our opinion, when upgrading its hardware, if the original inward structure could be preserved at the same time, as if nothing has been changed inside, it would be so cool~

To achieve this goal, we have made a CRT-shaped Console for the iMac G3 as a storage for logic-boards, hard-disk, fan, wires and cables.

The front portion is the 15" LCD with 1024x768 resolutions whereas the rear, the CRT Console.

Related Articles:

iMac G3 Mod - What is iMac G3?
iMac G3 Mod - iMac G3 "i7": an iMac G3 with i7 CPU

iMac G3 Mod - The LCD Panel

iMac G3 Mod - The Side Panel

iMac G3 Mod - Its Innards

Written by: Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber 

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

iBook Clamshell Mod - Keyboard and Trackpad Attached

This is one of the passages about the iBook G3 Clamshell modification project, of which a logicboard of Intel i5 was being installed into the classic Apple iBook G3 Laptop.
It is already the final stage of the iBook G3 Clamshell modification project. Yesterday, I attached the original Keyboard and Trackpad to the iBook Clamshell. Afterwards, I tested them thoroughly, by pressing the keys one by one. Also, I tried to use the combination keys such as reseting PRAM, all worked in order. Test results were satisfactory.

It is however quite disappointed that the Cap Lock Button could not be lit. And as to the Trackpad, originally, I intended to install the Magic Trackpad into the iBook but subsequently in vain.

Nevertheless, it is already a successful mod, in terms of keeping the original outlook at the same time, retain the original functions of those peripherials.

The "skin" if the Trackpad has been replaced by a new one (as the old one had been "polished" by repeated usage), and covered by the a layer of Bestskinsever. 

Related Articles:

iBook Clamshell Mod - What is iBook Clamshell?

iBook Clamshell Mod - Exploring the Possibility of iBook Clamshell Mod

iBook Clamshell Mod - Monitor

iBook Clamshell Mod - Keyboard

iBook Clamshell Mod - Side Panel

iBook Clamshell Mod - Polish the Apple Logo

iBook Clamshell Mod - DIY Protective Skin for the Shell

iBook Clamshell Mod - Applying Protective Skin on the Shell

iBook Clamshell Mod - Modifying the Yo-Yo

iBook Clamshell Mod - Yo-Yo Adapter Modified

iBook Clamshell Mod - Connecting the LCD Panel with the Main Body

iBook Clamshell Mod - SD Card Slot as A Substitute of DVD Rom

iBook Clamshell Mod - Keyboard and Trackpad Attached

Written by: Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber 

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

iMac G3 Mod - What is iMac G3?

I am going to make a complete record about "iMac G3 i7 Modification Project" in a series of articles.

First, let us start from a brief history of iMac G3: iMac G3 is an all-in-one, consumer-targeted desktop computer Apple debut under Steve Jobs return to Apple to be its interim CEO in 1997. It was designed by Sir Jonathan Ive.

iMac G3 was introduced at the “Back on track” Special Event in 6 May 1998. And was began shipping on 15 Aug 1998.

According to Steve Jobs, “iMac comes from the marriage of the excitement of the Internet with the simplicity of Macintosh,” “i” stands for “internet”, “individual”, “instruct”, “inform” and “inspire”.

The original iMac was of “tear-shaped”, made of translucent “Bondi Blue”-colored plastic, with a white plastic handle on top, a CRT in front, and socket panel at the right hand side hidden behind a door. It contained a PowerPC G3 233 MHz Processor, equipped with Mac OS 8.1, a tray loading CD Rom, 2 USB ports, a Modem port and an Ethernet port.

Since the original iMac is equipped with a PowerPC G3 processor, it was named as "iMac G3" to distinguish for its subsequent models. 

The specification of iMac G3 is radical, as it abandoned the 3 1/2 inch floppy disk drive, the ADB, SCSI and GeoPort Serial Connection which was still prevalent at that time.The keyboard and mouse were also redesigned for this iMac with translucent plastic and a Bondi Blue trim, with USB as the only mean for connection.

The first iteration (Model 4984) of iMac G3 is cited as “tray-loading”. In 5 Oct 1999 tray-loading iMac G3 was discontinued and was replaced by the “slot-loading” with 2 additional FireWire ports (Model M5521).

The slot-loading iMac G3 was subsequently discontinued in Mar 2003 by the released of eMac.

Related Articles:

iMac G3 Mod - What is iMac G3?
iMac G3 Mod - iMac G3 "i7": an iMac G3 with i7 CPU

iMac G3 Mod - The LCD Panel

iMac G3 Mod - The Side Panel

iMac G3 Mod - Its Innards

Written by: Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber 

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

iBook Clamshell Mod - SD Card Slot as A Substitute of DVD Rom

We are planning to replace the original DVD rom by a SD Card Slot, as DVD is no longer a popular storage means nowadays. The Slot is located at the cover of the DVD tray.

Related Articles:

iBook Clamshell Mod - What is iBook Clamshell?

iBook Clamshell Mod - Exploring the Possibility of iBook Clamshell Mod

iBook Clamshell Mod - Monitor

iBook Clamshell Mod - Keyboard

iBook Clamshell Mod - Side Panel

iBook Clamshell Mod - Polish the Apple Logo

iBook Clamshell Mod - DIY Protective Skin for the Shell

iBook Clamshell Mod - Applying Protective Skin on the Shell

iBook Clamshell Mod - Modifying the Yo-Yo

iBook Clamshell Mod - Yo-Yo Adapter Modified

iBook Clamshell Mod - Connecting the LCD Panel with the Main Body

iBook Clamshell Mod - SD Card Slot as A Substitute of DVD Rom

Written by: Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber 

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com