Mac Portable internal LCD replacement — Reza's PortableVideoAdapter working with a modern IPS panel
Finally got this working end to end, and it fits inside the case. Posting the sourcing details in case they're useful to anyone attempting the same.
The result: Mac Portable internal video, off J19, converted to DVI/HDMI and driving a 10.1" IPS panel in the original bezel.
Signal path: Mac Portable J19 → Reza's PortableVideoAdapter → HDMI → VS-RTD2556H-V1 → eDP → B101UAN01.C
Parts and sourcing
Huge thanks to @rezafouladian for the adapter design and inspiration and the Portable schematics.
Finally got this working end to end, and it fits inside the case. Posting the sourcing details in case they're useful to anyone attempting the same.
The result: Mac Portable internal video, off J19, converted to DVI/HDMI and driving a 10.1" IPS panel in the original bezel.
Signal path: Mac Portable J19 → Reza's PortableVideoAdapter → HDMI → VS-RTD2556H-V1 → eDP → B101UAN01.C
Parts and sourcing
- Panel + controller: VSDISPLAY bundle on Amazon — "10.1'' B101UAN01.C 1920X1200 IPS LCD Screen Work with Controller" (B08FYLJZ8S), $102.72. Panel is an AUO B101UAN01.C (10.1" AHVA IPS, 1920×1200, eDP 30-pin 2-lane, 400 cd/m², active area 216.81 × 135.5 mm — sits nicely in the Portable's bezel). Controller is the VS-RTD2556H-V1. Buying them bundled avoids cable- and pitch-matching guesswork, and Amazon is faster than the AliExpress route most write-ups point at.
- Adapter PCB: Reza's PortableVideoAdapter, fabbed at JLCPCB. Since the controller has its own barrel jack, the boost-converter section can be left unpopulated — U5 (MT3608), D1, L2, R10, R11, C9, C10, and connectors J1/J2. The board is signal-only in this configuration.
- J4 connector: the correct part is the Yamaichi NFP-26A-0324-BF, but it's backordered ~10 weeks. I used an Amphenol 20021111-00026T4LF (DigiKey 609-3720-ND) as a substitute — 2×13, 1.27 mm, unshrouded, fits the footprint. It mates electrically with the Yamaichi NFS-26A-0110BF cable end; there's no latch, so secure it if it's staying in.
- Cable: 3M 3756/26 (0.635 mm pitch) with NFS-26A-0110BF IDC ends — no soldering to make up a cable.
- Panel holder: Reza's repo includes a 3D-printed bracket (testing/lcd_holder.stl), but it's dimensioned for the CLAA101FP07. I modified it to fit the B101UAN01.C, and split it into two pieces so it prints on a smaller-bed printer. Worth knowing before you print — the two panels aren't interchangeable in the original bracket, and the stock STL needs a fairly large bed. Happy to share the modified STL if anyone wants them -- I attached them in this post at the bottom
- Power: the controller runs from a standalone 12V wall adapter into its own barrel jack (5.5 × 2.1 mm, centre-positive, ≥1A). It draws ~400–500 mA in practice. Nothing is tapped from the Portable's internal rails.
Huge thanks to @rezafouladian for the adapter design and inspiration and the Portable schematics.
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