PowerBook 500 Series full 040 CPU swap

[Durosity]

You definitely should!

I’m guessing this mod could be applied to the 190 and the Duo 280c.

I was thinking that too.. actually I’m thinking if you took a 190 and replaced its screen with an active one from a 5300 (maybe even a CE?) and gave it a full 68040 you’d pretty much have the best portable 68k machine!

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

(maybe even a CE?)

It would work.

 

[CC_333]

the best portable 68k machine

The best portable 68k machine, in my mind, would probably be one whose plastics aren't crumbling and whose hinges (if a laptop) haven't failed.

Does such a model exist? I don't know. I sort of doubt it....

c

 

[croissantking]

I sourced another of these CPUs, this time a Freescale MC68040FE33A, L88M mask. It’s on a donor board so is likely to be genuine. I think it should work - stay tuned for more surgery.

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

Are you going to use a second daughtercard for that? I wouldn't risk the same one if I were you.

 

[croissantking]

Yeah, I have two more daughtercards with LC040s, I will keep the first one intact.

 

[Durosity]

The best portable 68k machine, in my mind, would probably be one whose plastics aren't crumbling and whose hinges (if a laptop) haven't failed.

Does such a model exist? I don't know. I sort of doubt it....

c

Oh indeed.. I think the plastic on every PowerBook ever made is starting to crumble now, especially the ones made around that time.

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

PowerBook 100’s plastics are still holding strong (about the only part of that thing that is)
Plastics aging are just a part of old laptops. Coming from someone who collects a lot of PC laptops I’ll just say one thing - be glad that you can reliably fix the hinges on these with a bit of work and 3D printing. Compared to how bad hinge failures can get on some PCs, the PowerBook 500 can look like it deserves a build quality award.