Powerbook 1x0: nicest portables to work on, bar none!

[Byrd]

Hi,

In a recent post I commented on having to strip down my Powerbook 2400c to replace a scratched/dim LCD panel with one I purchased on eBay for .99c many moons ago. I finally got it working but it was a huge chore (several days of work) to take the screen bezel apart and reassemble the unit back together.

Then came my next project: replace the LCD panel of a Powerbook 170 with one I thought suffered no vignetting (and after playing CyberBlast on it for two hours: confirmed!)

1. Remove five screws from the base

2. Disconnect/yank ribbon cable to take apart both halves

3. Remove two screws front of LCD surround

4. Screen surround can now be easily unclipped without scary moments or swears

5. Slide out old LCD panel, slide in new

... that's it! I can't believe how easy it is to pull apart this 'book, even though it was one of Apple's first attempts! I've taken apart a slew of notebooks apart over the years, and nothing beats the old 1x0 Powerbook for ease of access - truly a mark of good design and usability.

JB

 

[LCGuy]

I have to agree, the PB1xx series are my favourite machine to work on, take the two case pieces apart and everything's right in front of you.

Speaking of replacing the LCD panels in these machines, I have to point out one thing - do not adjust the position of the display with the faceplate removed - the faceplate provides strength for the display casing, and with it removed, you run the risk of breaking the mounts for the hinges. I know this because over the years I've broken two of them myself, and now I unscrew and remove the entire, intact display assembly from the machine before playing with the panels.

 

[equill]

Without, in any way, contesting the ease of take-apart/repair in the PB140 and higher (I don't own a PB100), I feel obliged to advance the PB500 and PB1400 as coming out of the same easeful heritage.

Doubting Thomas has only to attempt servicing of an iBook or newer to appreciate the older PBs.

de

 

[ryan55]

The only annoyance is finding the tiny torx screwdrivers >

 

[equill]

The only annoyance is finding the tiny torx screwdrivers >

Not really. I just turn to the tray in which I keep all my special tools for working on computers …

de

 

[Green78II]

The Duo 210 (and I imagine others in the line) is quite easy also.

 

[coius]

I always liked working on my PB 170 (when it was alive) but I absolutely abhored my PowerBook 190. That thing broke so often, it was not even funny. I lost my homework everytime it broke, because it took me too long to get the it back up before the homework was due. It also cost me my normal life in school and landed me in an alternative school where I got beat up daily (not gonna go down that alley. for that story, do a search on OPS Schools).

but still. my 540c Laptop is a nice machine to work with. Totally awesome for the layout, even if the keyboard sucks :-/

 

[shred]

I have to agree. The PowerBook 140/160/170/180 was a nice piece of industrial design. The way that the battery door acts to lock the case halves together makes it impossible to disassemble the machine with the battery in place - someone thought about that bit and got it right.

The PowerBook 100 wasn't too bad, but had a cheaper plasticy feel to it.

The Duos were good to work on, given their size. I always hated taking the middle hinge cover thingy (forget the official name for it now) off though. That bit was just nasty and I always had to keep a new one in stock for if/when someone damaged one taking it off a customer's machine.