Can you still get internal HDs for the G4 PB 12"?

Question

I still use my trusty 12" Powerbook G4 for my hobby of freelance writing and photography. Indeed, the ONLY thing currently 'wrong' wih it - for what I need from it these days - is that the internal 40Gb hard drive is now way to small for all the stuff I want to keep on it.
Is it still possible to get compatible internal hard drives for it? If I can get a 500Gb internal hard drive, it'll save me the expense of having to buy a whole new laptop. Which seems a bit silly as the Powerbook G4 is still more than adequate in every other way!
(I know I could get an external drive, but an internal one woould be a whole lot better!)
Can anybody help, please?

Answer 1

Robin:
As noted, yes, PATA drives are still available for your computer. Here is a list of available drives for your computer at OWC. You do have a lot of tiny screws to deal with, but it can be managed. The most troublesome are two tiny screws on each side of the case. Be very careful not to damage the heads of the screws. You will also discover that the 1.5 GHz version does not have an EMI finger to be removed, as noted in the step by step directions. In addition to the step by step directions from iFixit here are few tips you may find helpful:
• Print out the ifixit directions as well as the screw guide ahead of time.
• Be sure you have the right tools. You don't want to damage the screw heads or you may never get them out. And the Torx screw driver is critical. For a spudge I use the handle of an old toothbrush (choose one made of hard plastic), cut off the brush and bevelled the handle end like a flat blade screw driver). For some spudge jobs a credit card will do the trick.
• Picking up on one user’s suggestion, I clicked on the pages of each step which involved removing screws to enlarge, then printed out the pages. I poked holes in the paper where the screws were removed, poked the screws in the holes and stacked the pages in order in which the screws were removed. Reassembling was a lot easier. No cups to tip over and spill. No guessing. Each screw was exactly in the right place. You can use an ice cube tray, egg carton, dixie cups etc. I previously used small medicine cups one for the screws in each step. I nested them so that the last ones out and the first to go back in are on top. (Some users report cutting up the screw guide and placing the applicable section in each container.)
• Be very careful pulling out leads. Hold the lead as close to the plug as possible and wiggle (the plug ) to loosen its grip. Don’t hold the wires and pull as that can damage the cable, or worse, in some instances pull the wires out of the plug. Indeed, some users have pulled the socket off the logic board! Use needle nose pliers or tweezers if you can access the plug, or nudge the plug with a small instrument to help loosen its grip.
• Use force gently in removing parts. Separating upper and lower case takes some doing. Use a plastic tool (spudge) so as not to mar the case.
• Refer to the screw guide when reassembling computer. Putting longer screws in the wrong place can perforate the circuit board.
Please do post back with further questions or comments.
cornelius