Using an iBook G4 as a desktop computer

F

ferrante

Registered
Hi there,

I' m trying to find the best way to work with my G4 iBook as a desktop. I have an Apple Studio monitor and I'm considering buying an external keyboard and mouse. My main problem is that I want to close the lid of my ibook to save space on my desktop, but when I try this, the computer goes to sleep. Is there any way to prevent this behavior?

My other "problem" is the lack of enough USB ports. Does anyone have a good recommentation for an external USB hub?

Thanks for your help!
 
I can't completely confirm those instructions in that other thread, but... I too have an iBook. I had an external mouse plugged in, put the lid down to sleep it. On several occasions I've either removed the mouse and woke it, or pressed a button and woke it while the lid was still down.
 
"Under certain circumstances, however, the iBook (Dual USB) may not enter sleep mode when the display lid is closed."

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88199

That's not saying that it's ok for that to happen, though, and it is not endorsing the use of the iBook with the lid closed.

One of the iBook's heat dissipation methods is through the keyboard, and with the lid closed, heat will get trapped in there, which we all know is a bad thing. You wouldn't want to cover up the fan exhaust ports on a tower machine, and you won't want to use the iBook while the lid is closed for the same reason.

I wouldn't recommend it.
 
why close the lid at all? It covers the speakers, has heat issues and since it'S used as a desktop, battery duration doesn'T mean anything. So, simply let the lid opened, turn off the screen backlight and use your USB devices and your screen. Btw, those graphic hacks for the ibooks - to support splitt screen mode and greater resolutions but the native one from the screen - also allow the lid to be closed and the book still work (clamshell mode). But as mentioned above: heat is a big problem.
 
Why don't you just dissassemble your iBook, if you are solely going to use it as a desktop and build a customer desktop case for it? Then you won't have to worry about overheating or lid closing. Plus it could be a pretty cool project. :)
 
There is a way to use the iBook with the lid closed, but it requires a bit of 'fixing'. There's a script out there which enables monitor spanning on the iBooks, also has an option to enable the 'lid-closed' mode for use with an external monitor. NOT A GOOD IDEA, there was a reason Apple shipped these from the factory.

You could grab a BookEndz (http://www.bookendzdocks.com/bookendz/ibook.htm) and hook the cables to that, then set the ibook off the desk or somewhere out of the way. Would still need a USB hub with that device though...it's just good so that you only have to plug one thing in (it) instead of multiple cables.
 
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