How-To: Patterned logo for Apple iBook G4
Yesterday a dear friend of mine decided it was time to make the switch; time to hop the fence to the land of clean lines, smooth interfaces, and fool-proof hardware. Due to the fact that the [more affordable] Intel powered iBooks would not surface for some time, Syl – with helpful recommendations from others – decided to go ahead and pick up a brand new iBook G4. It will be some time before the PPC iBooks meet their timely replacement with the Intel lineup so the purchase was fully justified. Add to that the student discount, and who would pass up the opportunity for something new to play with right now?
After spending approximately 15 minutes to familiarize herself with the new operating system (yes, that’s all it takes to feel at home after a switch), Syl immediately requested ideas for making her iBook standout. As soon as I heard the request, I offered to find a clear 3M-like material to mask the cover (allowing her to draw on the case) as well as a new color for the Apple logo. The following is a simple walk-through to accomplish the logo pictured above:
- The first step is collecting the necessary tools and supplies for the job. Namely: allen wrench, credit card, scissors, tape, pencil, and transparent colored sheets. Lighting gels work perfectly. Syl wanted something a little different so we found two sheets of transparent vellum paper [both solid colored and patterned sheets].
- Before continuing, power down your iBook and remove the battery.
- Unscrew the four screws which secure the outer casing to the plastic LCD frame.
- Open the iBook. Using a credit card / library card / AA card, gently pry the outer casing from the LCD. Starting at one of the top corners, slowly make your way around the edges of the screen. There is no double sided sticky tape securing the outer casing in place. Once you’ve released the outer case from the top, left, and right side, it should fall off the back.
- Trim your colored gel / vellum paper to the inside of the iBook casing (the part that you detached from the LCD frame.
- Snap the casing back into place, replace the battery, and power on to see the colorful results.
For full high resolution images to help along the way, check my Flickr set.
