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It was just sitting there....
Posted by: LCARS on 2009-08-23 16:05:58
...looking at me through my PowerBook screen with a big sad title, "FOR PARTS." I am of course talking about a mint PowerBook 180 in unknown condition because of the ever-present lack of an AC adapter. Needless to say I took the, will it or won't it work, gamble and clicked the always dangerous, "But It Now" button.

I have no experience with a PowerBook of this vintage. Are there any general problems, fixes, or quirks I should know about these machines? Will any 1xx PB battery work in a 180? Am I correct in thinking 7.5 is the best OS? I am very excited. They have such a unique industrial design and they look like they have tank-like build quality. I can't wait to take it to Starbucks! ;D

Posted by: Mars478 on 2009-08-23 16:16:42
They are very easy to work on. Some of em use IDE HDs, And yes 7.5 is best for that. My Powerbook 150 ran 7.5.3 like greased soap.

Posted by: JRL on 2009-08-23 17:10:27
They are very easy to work on. Some of em use IDE HDs, And yes 7.5 is best for that. My Powerbook 150 ran 7.5.3 like greased soap.
Only one of them does; the PowerBook 150. 😉

Posted by: LCARS on 2009-08-23 19:08:53
Thank you for the replies. I'm glad to hear they are easy to work on. I am currently procrastinating from replacing a 2400c HD as I understand they are anything but user friendly. I guess now I have to start the hunt for 2.5" SCSI HDs. When this PoweBook came out, I was second grade and I wanted one so badly. Does 7.5 differ much from 7.6? Is 7.6 just for PPC?

Posted by: JRL on 2009-08-23 19:15:48
Thank you for the replies. I'm glad to hear they are easy to work on. I am currently procrastinating from replacing a 2400c HD as I understand they are anything but user friendly. I guess now I have to start the hunt for 2.5" SCSI HDs. When this PoweBook came out, I was second grade and I wanted one so badly. Does 7.5 differ much from 7.6? Is 7.6 just for PPC?
No, not really. 7.6 only is slightly different (but is compatible with Macs with at least 4 MB of RAM and a '030 proc)

Posted by: LCARS on 2009-08-28 15:21:43
Hoorah! Its here and its beautiful. I will post pictures tomorrow. It looks like it was never used, except for the fact it is missing the rear port door. The mouse clickers still feel and sound factory fresh. I like the layout of the trackball and upper clicker. It looks like it will facilitate quick Word edits.

A new OEM adapter is on its way. I cannot wait to boot this up. JRL- would you still recommend 7.5 as the OS for this PB? Also, I have read about but know nothing about RAM Doubler. Is it a relatively easy install?

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