A Conversation for "The Orchard" - the h2g2 Mac Users' Group!
Orchard - Changing an iBook keyboard
toybox Started conversation Jan 14, 2010
I would like to change the keyboard on me old iBook G4, replacing the current US one for a German one. Is this possible and reasonably easy to do?
Orchard - Changing an iBook keyboard
Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) Posted Jan 14, 2010
Is it a 12" (http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/iBook-G4-12-Inch-800-MHz-1-2-GHz-Keyboard/155/1) or a 14"? (http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/iBook-G4-14-Inch-933-MHz-1-33-GHz-Keyboard/177/1)
You'll need to Google around a bit for a source of the replacement keyboard.
Alternately, if you're not proud, Google for "German Keycaps stickers" and see if you can just buy a sheet of stickers to convert it without removing it.
Hope that helps...
Orchard - Changing an iBook keyboard
toybox Posted Jan 14, 2010
Actually I can't remember which screen size it has 
Is there an easy way to find out? (Ah wait, measuring tape should do 
)
Stickers would be a most ungentlemany solution, as the laptop should go to my mum. But still better than a USB keyboard 
, or (heavens forbid) completely messing up the iBook 
Orchard - Changing an iBook keyboard
Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) Posted Jan 14, 2010
I had a quick look around, and American keyboards cost $99 each, and that's for ""Used, refurbished" ones. As they are the most common type, I assume that German ones would cost even more...
I'd try the stickers route first. If they don't work you can still swap it out.
Orchard - Changing an iBook keyboard
toybox Posted Jan 14, 2010
Indeed, let's see how stickers work out.
Orchard - Changing an iBook keyboard
Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) Posted Jan 14, 2010
Here's a solution I hadn't thought of...
http://www.ed-solutionsdirect.com/speedskin/speedskin4.htm
The "iSkin" German version should do the job, yet be easily removable when the time comes to sell the iBook. Just a thought. (They are *really* ugly, though...)
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Orchard - Changing an iBook keyboard
- 1: toybox (Jan 14, 2010)
- 2: Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) (Jan 14, 2010)
- 3: toybox (Jan 14, 2010)
- 4: Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) (Jan 14, 2010)
- 5: toybox (Jan 14, 2010)
- 6: Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) (Jan 14, 2010)
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