i just purchased a 1.33 15" g4 powerbook. it does not have the backlit keyboard. my question is, can i buy one and replace the original with it? does the sensor come with the keyboard?
thanks for any help
mike prescott
powerbook g-4 Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Hi, tfu47. No, your Powerbook can't use the backlit keyboard from a later model.
TiBook 1GHz/1G/120G; PTProG3 500MHz/768M/160G Mac OS X (10.3.x) film and flatbed scanners, projector, graphics tablet, laser and photo printers

but this was a build to order option on the 1.33 from what i have read. is there no way to replace the keyboard with the backlit one?
and thanks for your quick answer.
mike
pismo

You're right and I'm wrong. Better to be right than quick ¡ª my apologies. This page makes it plain that the two keyboards are interchangeable.

TiBook 1GHz/1G/120G; PTProG3 500MHz/768M/160G Mac OS X (10.3.x) film and flatbed scanners, projector, graphics tablet, laser and photo printers

thanks,i was hoping it would still be backlit. according to that page, it will work as a keyboard, but will not backlight. is there another part you have to add to make that work?
thanks again
mike
pismo

I presume the missing link is probably the ambient light sensor that controls when the keyboard lights up. I don't know which other part or assembly includes that sensor, in the models that came with it installed. Call one or more of the parts vendors listed below (phone #s are on their web sites) and ask exactly what you need to accomplish the result you're aiming for. They'll know.

http://www.pbparts.com (parts and repair work)
http://www.dttservice.com (parts and repair work)
http://www.powerbookresq.com (parts and repair work)
http://www.powerbookmedic.com (parts and repair work)
http://www.tekserve.com (parts and repair work)
http://www.ifixit.com (parts and excellent, illustrated online take-apart instructions)

Prices and availability of the same parts can vary widely, so check around.

TiBook 1GHz/1G/120G; PTProG3 500MHz/768M/160G Mac OS X (10.3.x) film and flatbed scanners, projector, graphics tablet, laser and photo printers