The Macbook Tablet

Oh noes...

So, here it goes. 

The macbook I have had for a while recently had to retire. The chassis were cracking all over, the battery was dead together with several other flaws. It was just collecting dust, until recently.

I decided to revive the whole thing as a tablet.I decided to make this blog way out in the project, so there will be little pictures from the beginning.

I had no idea about how to do it, but i had to start looking at my options - so i pulled the thing apart as so many times before - just this time not a single piece was left attached to anything.

It is an 2006 version of the macbook (i think) with 2ghz and im not sure how much RAM i will put in it. Everything else is pretty standard.

I ended up with using the lid as the basis of my build, as it has the iconic apple in the back. I also wanted to keep the in/outputs so i had to transfer that part from the bottom case.

Figuring out where to put the logic board 

As the lid was to thin, i had to add a rim around the new "case" that was about 1cm. I just used some MDF plate from an IKEA frame.


I cut out all the ports from the bottom case, and managed to fit it to the lid. I also added the part for the magnetic connector for the charger, but i had to move it a bit because of logistics.

Added the extra rim, and ports.

It was very convenient that the screen has this frame its attached to that has holes that correspond to the lid.
Basically what i ended up with was putting the logic board, battery, HDD and all the other stuff under the lcd screen and attach it with some new 20mm screws.
I will have to put some kind of cushion for the screen, but that will come later.


The cpu cooler will also need a 3-4cm diameter hole in the lid to be able to suck some air to the soon to be very hot environment. The air will be pushed out on the left side on the last picture.
Because my battery went dead, I will have to buy a new one, but they are pretty cheap straight out of China. It has to be stripped from its case and the cells will be glued to the lid on the inside.

So the HDD wil be attached just above the apple, and the battery under and up along the right side.
This picture also shows the position of the speakers.


The bezel which was originally attached by some plastic clips will now have to be mounted with screws. It has to support the whole frame when i will be carrying it.
I picked some of the matching holes for the LCD frame and drilled holes in the bezel aswell. The LCD frame will be supported partly by internal screws and partly by screws penetrating the whole way from the outside bezel.

All assembled

This brings me pretty much up to where i am today.
The whole frame is now done, all components have designated spots and the whole thing feels pretty solid all assembled.


But, it still looks like crap. I cannot be carrying a part plastic, part MDF tabled superglued together. I would give it a couple of weeks and then i would be back to a non working broken useless Macbook.

All assembled - rear

Since i have pulled apart and really puzzled together pieces like it was lego I need to reinforce the whole frame and add some beauty.


This is where the carbon fiber skinning kit comes into play.
This is a "do-it-yourself" kit that - assuming me be a bit skillful -will turn my macbook tablet into one sturdy piece of hardware with an awesome finish.


It will be challenge to make the finish perfect around all the small holes and corners, but i love challenges. I have been thinking about the apple, and i think i will have to file the edges down about one millimeter all around and pray that it will fit afterwards.


As for the touchscreen i will put in a 4 wire resistive touchscreen. And before anyone starts whining about resistive being crap and capacitative being awesone - there is a simple answer - its impossible to get hold of a single affordable  13.3" capacitative touch panel.
The resistive panel is only 50$ off ebay and can be easily changed if its needed.


Thats all for now...