Modded MacBook

Here's some pictures of the MacBook I own that has been under the knife. This isn't so much a detailed how-to, more of a what's-been-done. I shall try to give as much info as I can about the changes performed here.

Step 1: The Casing

The casing is available from Speck Products and is called the See Thru. It's available in either clear or red, for both MacBook and MacBook Pro. It snaps on over the case and gives full access to all ports whilst protecting the MacBook.

Step 2: The Keyboard

As you can see, this ain't no ordinary MacBook. A broken black MacBook was recently used to give the keyboard a bit of a contrast. The keys pop off like previous Apple laptops, but be careful as they are very easily broken if not done properly.

Simply source an alternative keyboard, and be very patient whilst changing all the keys over.

I've left the alphabetical keys white as it not only looks pretty good, but allows me to easily trigger clips in apps like Ableton Live.

Step 3: The Apple Logo

The Apple logo was changed with help from icolours. They provide a transparency paper template for you to place onto your Apple portable. With the MacBook, getting to the Apple logo is fairly simple, you only need to remove screws from the display housing. However, the Apple logo on the Core Duo MacBooks were painted white on the inside. Luckily, I was able to source an iBook G4 Apple Logo which fits perfectly, but is clear. I simply stuck the transparency paper on the back and voila!

It looks great in the dark...

Step 4: 11n Card

I've fitted the MacBook with an 11n card from a Mac Pro. This, as well as the Apple Rainbow Logo is warranty voiding territory. They are the same interface (PCI-E v2 or something) and can be swapped out, but it means going into the MacBook and exposing the Logic Board. To be honest, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone unless they knew exactly what they were doing. Apple portables have a lot of hidden screws and latches that could easily brake if you don't know what you're doing.

Comments

[DevTheHam]

What type of case did you have on your macbook?

[white.jtw]

That's nothing, check out my mod

[beefsupreme]

Hey, are the macbook keyboard buttons the same as the new aluminum keyboard buttons? I'd love to switch my white ones out for blackones (and spray paint the body black).

[Sirius Lock]

Wow.....you're not cocky at all.....

[robi2581]

I love the checkerboard. I wish i could do this but I neither have a Mac nor the money for one... Sad day..

[=SMART=]

wow when i read this instrucatble i visualized what colours i would swap and i thought how awesome it would be, and yours is exactly what thought!!!

[little_genius241974]

That is sexy! (One question, why did you put the sticker on the laptop?)

[white.jtw]

I just thought it would help with the black and white balance, because I didn't swap any of the arrow keys. I had to replace my broken screen, and all they had in stock was white ones, so I went for it. The swapped keys were just an extra touch

[chrisayad]

dude who cares what the hell is this instructing anyway

[Sirius Lock]

Instead of taking an older logo all you had to do was take 1000 or finer grit sandpaper and sand the back of the logo (where it's painted or whatever white).

[Einsteins Circuitry]

I might do the 11n card mod.

+1 and added to Apple group.

[Sneaky Chopsticks]

Will this void your warranty?

[Sneaky Chopsticks]

Dang it... I was hoping to do this to my Macbook I got for Christmas!

[kzaaaaa]

yes

[Visitor]

I did not see a single instruction in this instructable.

[little_genius241974]

HE SAID THAT IS WAS MORE OF A "WHAT-HAS-BEEN-DONE" RATHER THAN AN INSTRUCTABLE ON THE FIRST PAGE! Ahh... See?

[Darkshot]

ok...can you put more detailed instructions on how to put OSX on your macbook? i got a crappy ibook that sux currently and just wont do things like its supposed to its OS9.1 for gods sake!!! help+

[technopenguin]

Wow, looks great in the dark!

[iPodTouchMaster08]

Thanks for your IP address, now im going to hack.... *hacking IP*

[ac1D]

you can't hack a shit. you want to hack your rooteur rellied to a pc with a mac, noob. kiddynoob!