PB G4 DLSD - Keyboard swap

[Lomographic]

Firstly, I suppose I should get the formalities out the way - been lurking on the PowerPC forums for quite a while now, have been meaning to sign up and join in here but only now getting around to it!

I’ve recently got a PowerBook G4 15” 1.67GHz DLSD - the machine is great, and in pretty good condition too! Now, in my rush to bid on the item, it didn’t click with me that the PowerBook was coming from Germany, and therefore would have a German keyboard layout. This isnt too big an issue, as I’ve remappped the keyboard to be a standard British one in software.

However, I was wondering if I could swap the keyboard with one of my other PowerBooks, as I happen to have a PB G4 1.5GHz that is (I assume) the last model released before the hi-res dual layer SuperDrive version - I know that earlier PowerBooks had keyboards that were connected over ADB internally, but I can’t see that being an issue here as in system profiler, the keyboards on both models are both connected over USB.

My only question, aside from is it possible, would be, are there differences in the connections? Or would it be a simple swap in/out job.

 

[micahgartman]

You can swap them out without issues. Click on my sig for more information

 

[Bug-Creator]

If the 1.5GHz really is budget BTO 5.6 and not a 5.4 you should get away with it.

5.4 and earlier used ADB (5.6/5.8 USB) for keyboard and touchpad.

 

[weckart]

You can swap them out without issues. Click on my sig for more information

We had this question recently. The DLHD models are unique with regard to top layer and keyboard. Neither is interchangeable with previous PowerBooks.

From the service source:

• Top Case
  – As the sleep magnet has been relocated to the display bezel, the sleep sensor has
  
  moved from the trackpad flex to the edge of the top case. Previous top cases will not
  
  work with this system.
  
  
• Keyboard
  
  – The keyboard has a narrower flex than the previous integrated backlight keyboard used in the PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.67/1.5GHz). These two keyboards are not interchangeable. This keyboard is the same as on the PowerBook G4 (17-inch Double-Layer SD).

I had to replace the keyboard on a 15" DLHD due to non functioning keys. The part number for the DLHD keyboard is different from prior PowerBooks. Be sure to get the right one on eBay.

 

[eyoungren]

We had this question recently. The DLHD models are unique with regard to top layer and keyboard. Neither is interchangeable with previous PowerBooks.

From the service source:


I had to replace the keyboard on a 15" DLHD due to non functioning keys. The part number for the DLHD keyboard is different from prior PowerBooks. Be sure to get the right one on eBay.

I was thinking that…

I tore down a 17" DLSD once and the connector for the LCVD cable to the logicboard was very different than the one for my A1013. I figured that if this connector was different then probably most of the other parts were too. It's also the case with the DC-Inverter board as well.

 

[micahgartman]

We had this question recently. The DLHD models are unique with regard to top layer and keyboard. Neither is interchangeable with previous PowerBooks.

Thank you for the clarification