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| Anything to be gleaned from this PB160 photo? |
Posted by: ironhalo on 2025-08-01 10:37:55
Hi all. I am considering picking up this PB160 from a local seller as a restoration project. I’m a computer engineer with several vintage 68k restorations under my belt now and I’ve read all about what to expect with this model, so I’m not concerned about the restoration itself. I’m only concerned with the possibility I might have to purchase a very hard-to-find replacement screen. To that end, is there anything that can be gleaned from this photo of the PB powered on? Is that cloudiness seen on the blank display to be expected? Or is it a symptom that might suggest a screen replacement would be required? TIA! |
Posted by: finkmac on 2025-08-01 10:41:01
display panel needs a recap, as all passive matrix powerbook 1x0 screens do.
check here. I use ceramics myself, but the tants are PROBABLY fine.
in theory the leakage could be bad enough that you'd need a replacement panel, but it's probably ok.
it's not cloudy, just uneven backlighting when displaying a completely black screen. pretty normal
also the hinges will need lubrication/mount replacement
what else can i glean from the image? a SICK REPLACEMENT TRACKBALL !🤯 |
Posted by: ironhalo on 2025-08-01 11:24:42
Awesome, thanks for the detailed info.
Yeah I also thought the red track ball was cool. I vaguely remember seeing some of those back in the day. Is that pretty rare to find now? |
Posted by: finkmac on 2025-08-01 11:37:33
not really rare... just more uncommon really.
the really cool ones are the eyeball and 8ball replacement trackballs
also i think they originally came in these pyramid shaped boxes? can't find a good picture sadly |
Posted by: ironhalo on 2025-08-01 22:39:30
Whoa, an 8ball? Sweet. Definitely never saw one of those.
Supposed to be meeting up with the seller this weekend and hopefully coming home with a new project! Will report back. Thx. |
Posted by: jmacz on 2025-08-02 00:05:03
I will concur with what @finkmac said. My display looked the same with no image until recapped. It’s a passive matrix screen so you will see some patchiness as well as what look like artifacts which are in fact just part of the passive matrix experience. |
Posted by: cheesestraws on 2025-08-02 00:09:20
Nothing to say about the screen but just wanted to agree that the trackball is cool |
Posted by: ironhalo on 2025-08-02 08:27:57
I will concur with what @finkmac said. My display looked the same with no image until recapped. It’s a passive matrix screen so you will see some patchiness as well as what look like artifacts which are in fact just part of the passive matrix experience. Thx for the feedback! |
Posted by: ironhalo on 2025-08-02 08:28:35
Nothing to say about the screen but just wanted to agree that the trackball is cool 🤓👍 There is another one listed for sale that is closer to me, but with standard gray track ball. I figured the red one is worth a bit of a longer drive. |
Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2025-08-03 09:39:23
Ditto what other people have said. Only disagreement is that I’d avoid ceramic caps for the display - it will work, but they’re not well suited to that usecase and can produce a subpar image. Tantalum caps work great to replace the original electrolytics.
Also, pretty sure that trackball is pink, not red. Still cool though 🙂 |
Posted by: ironhalo on 2025-08-03 13:13:42
Ditto what other people have said. Only disagreement is that I’d avoid ceramic caps for the display - it will work, but they’re not well suited to that usecase and can produce a subpar image. Tantalum caps work great to replace the original electrolytics.
Also, pretty sure that trackball is pink, not red. Still cool though 🙂
Thanks for the input. And you are correct, I picked this up today and the trackball is most definitely PINK!! Nice little splash of color, I dig it.
The exterior of the case looks in great shape, no visible physical damage to the screen panel, and signs point to the machine booting up even though I can’t see anything on the screen yet (system chime, then 2-3 minutes of hard drive activity that gradually settles down).
It came with the original 160 system disks, user guide, original power supply, original gray trackball, and a vintage Targus laptop case! Pretty pleased with the purchase I must say. Now the fun begins! Time to open her up and see what I'm up against... |
Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2025-08-03 19:04:56
Looks well-kept! Hopefully the screen will come back to life with some new capacitors.
Cap reference is available on my website: https://macdat.net/repair/cap_reference/apple/powerbook/160.html |
Posted by: ironhalo on 2025-08-03 19:56:23
Looks well-kept! Hopefully the screen will come back to life with some new capacitors.
Cap reference is available on my website: https://macdat.net/repair/cap_reference/apple/powerbook/160.html Yep, already found your list and got my DigiKey order placed this evening! Thanks for making all that info easily accessible. 👍 |
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