Macintosh Portable LCD - decoding the interface for compatibility with a logic board replacement?

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Wish list for the new year:

@Melkhior you mentioned development of a whole new board based on FPGA. Reverse engineering the LCD interface is something that needs to be done for yours and all manner of Luggable upgrade projects.

That said, finding a modern (HiRes Color!) replacement in Portable bezel form factor would be ideal. I've looked around several times, but never found one that fits the bill.

Lastly, a printable inside half of the lid might be best of all. The bezel opening would then be a blank slate, with plenty of real estate for a large LCD. Coupled with the stock NumPad or, heaven forbid the horrid thing, a newly designed touchpad module opens up the full area of the lid for an LCD when the TrackBall indents are excised.

 

[SuperSVGA]

An iPad LCD would be a cheap option, however I think the 10.2" LCD might just be a tiny bit too small, I think it's close though so hard to say for sure.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Nothing was close that I've found to date.

 

[SuperSVGA]

Based on rough estimated measurements I think the 10.2" iPad LCD is missing just a few MM off the sides. I think the 10.5" would be the proper size, but there aren't any easy driver boards for that model that I can find (I'm guessing because the ProMotion display interface is more complex). I might just have to order the 10.2" display just to hold it up and see for sure, but I bet you could just 3D print a color matched bezel to go on the sides and it would look pretty close.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Close won't cut it for me. I don't think anything short of modeling and printing the entire bezel section of the lid will suffice. It's no easy task, being the more complex half the support structure for the handle. But if it's done, the stock part can be made and custom bezel configurations will be easily done.

Looking forward to doing something interesting in the big screen department with my somewhat less than cherry spare Luggable.

 

[SuperSVGA]

I did end up buying one of the 10.2" screens just to test it, here's what it looks like (poorly aligned and held in with Kapton tape):