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PB145B
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  • Finally got my lovely iMac G4 set back up! Such an amazing and beautiful design. This is the 15” USB 2.0 model. Has always been a very dependable machine. I went ahead and removed the battery bomb and added new thermal paste for added reliability too. And wow, I forgot how great the Pro Speakers sounded!
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    LaPorta
    LaPorta
    I need to get to my original iMac G4 someday….great job!
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    Snial
    Snial
    We've got a 15" iMac G4/1GHz at my Dad's house. Yes, it's a work of art & completely dependable. I always tend to pick it up a bit like a rabbit, supporting the computer from its base and only holding onto the arm to steady it, in order to avoid loosening it.
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    PB145B
    PB145B
    Nice! Yes, that's exactly how I pick up mine as well!
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    Long story short, the SCSI bus on my SE completely failed while I was using it a few days ago! Upon restarting it would not properly recognize any drive connected, even my BlueSCSI. I’m happy to say that replacing the SCSI chip solved my problem! I also added a socket, so if the chip ever fails again, replacement will be simple. IMG_0702.jpeg
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    GRudolf94
    GRudolf94
    While spontaneous failures are not unheard of, I'm always concerned when parts that are exposed to the outside world fail. Do you use any external (especially mains-powered) SCSI peripherals on this machine? If you do, I'd check that those are all well-grounded, that kind of thing.
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    PB145B
    PB145B
    Back in 2020 when I last had this machine setup, I had an external hard drive connected to it and never had any issues. Since setting it back up so far the only thing I have used with it is my awesome BlueSCSI V2 external, which I have been using on several other machines so far with no issues. I did recheck all of my soldering on the BlueSCSI just for good measure and everything looked good.
    Having some good fun with the 128k! I really do love this thing despite its limitations. I’m so happy that I actually have one now. This one’s definitely a permanent member of my collection!IMG_0654.jpeg
    LaPorta
    LaPorta
    So mine was originally my friend's dad's. I swapped him for a Plus way back in the day. It is an original 128k (no 128k marking). I still have the original analog board, though it needs to be repaired. The logic board is its original board, but it was upgraded with 512ke ROMs and 512k of RAM soldered on board. It has an 800k drive.
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    LaPorta
    LaPorta
    I have three or four 400k drives of unknown status (two are wrapped up; I think someone worked on them in the past). I also have one or two 128k boards that are in need of repair that I am going to replace the RAM on with new chips I got that I hope will work. So, I won't touch the logic board it has, I will just replace it, and get the 400k donor drive in there as well.
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    PB145B
    PB145B
    Very nice! Sounds like you have all the parts you need to get the job done. That will be a very fun project indeed! Those 400k drives are so much fun once you get them running smoothly. Love the sound!
    Got this a few weeks ago but just got around to building it! After trying the PowerBook version out I was officially hooked, and this external version does not disappoint either! What an amazing product, affordable and easy to use. Even has WiFi! And the SD transfer utility has FINALLY given me a very convenient way to transfer files to my vintage Macs!
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    PB145B
    PB145B
    I haven’t tried on the external yet, but the WiFi was actually very easy to get working for me with the PowerBook version in my PB180 running 7.1. I want to see next if I can get a Plus or SE online with the external BlueSCSI!
    luRaichu
    luRaichu
    Does Wi-Fi work on the BlueSCSI when it's inside a PowerBook? I always thought the internal metal coating would act as a faraday cage and block the RF.
    PB145B
    PB145B
    Works fine on my 180!
    The first gen and last gen PowerBooks!IMG_0495.jpeg
    A
    Arbee
    The 140/170 are, not surprisingly given what they share a ROM with, architecturally like a Quadra 700 with an '030 (and thus no need for the JDB/Relayer pair of chips). So they're definitely more of a 1991 Mac than the PB100. I think the usual story around these machines is suspect. If Apple had the 140/170 already designed in-house they wouldn't have needed Sony.
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    3lectr1cPPC
    3lectr1cPPC
    There were two separate development teams that I think were just in a competition of sorts and in the end both produced viable products that filled different market segments. The Sony people working on the 100 and the Apple team working on the 140/170. Which one started development first doesn't really matter to me when all three were introduced on the same day.
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    PB145B
    PB145B
    Good points! We may never know the full story, but since the 140/170 were the first fully Apple-designed true laptops, I just tend to think of those as the “originals.” And since the 170 has almost the same screen as the backlit Portable, it really makes it seem like it’s the direct successor to it.
    I don’t know if I’ve ever actually shown this one here, but I’ve had it for many years. Just pulled it back out and am happy to say it still works great! And yes this is the 466MHz SE model with DVD drive. What a beauty!
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    And all this time I’ve been told the Mac 512 can’t run System 7… 😂🤣IMG_0405.jpeg
    Decided it was time to set my Macintosh 512k (non enhanced) back up! This machine is such a joy to use. The sound of the 400k drives is just amazing. This Mac started life out as a 128k and was dealer upgraded at some point (rear sticker and badge were also replaced). Definitely one of my favorites!

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    LaPorta
    LaPorta
    My gosh...I sure did! I am glad to see them being put to good use! I assume you didnt have space for the keypad.
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    PB145B
    PB145B
    Yep, I’m still very grateful you sold them to me for such a good price! Yeah, I have pretty limited room on this table and just couldn’t fit the keypad in.
    Snial
    Snial
    Fat Mac! They were the first Macs we used at UEA in autumn 1986. Apps: MacPaint, MacWrite, MacTerminal (to log into the MicroVax) and of course, MacPascal! There were also some V new 1MB Mac Plusses in the digi-Lab (Cross compiling Lattice-C to 68K-based dev boards).
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    Found my stash of terminators!
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    That’s a big relief, because there’s nothing worse than not being able to find one when you need it! I haven’t touched these since like 2021 so I’m kind of shocked they turned up so easily. Trying to get all of my old Mac accessories at least somewhat organized!
    Fired up the old Bondi Blue G3 and it’s still running great! First time since like 2018! Completely forgot about that awesome wallpaper that I put on it.
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    LaPorta
    LaPorta
    Sorry, it's one of those prickly things from the old days. Desktop Pictures were there first, then Microsoft started calling their version on Windows "Wallpaper." So it has bothered me ever since!
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    PB145B
    PB145B
    Yeah, I do like try and keep my terminology correct based on what platform I’m talking about, but as both a Mac and PC user I get it mixed up at times!
    croissantking
    croissantking
    If you think about it, Microsoft muddied their analogies. It’s a desktop, not a wall.
    Haven't been active here in a while! I have not gone anywhere though, and I'm still in the hobby! I haven't done too much with vintage Macs in quite a while actually. I just pulled my PowerBook 145B and 170 back out yesterday and I'm going to be getting them back in top shape soon hopefully.
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