68kMLA Classic Interface
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| Macintosh Portable LCD Cable Review | |
| Posted by: campbellashe on 2026-08-26 16:34:31 I'm building a modern LCD replacement for my Mac Portable (M5120) using Reza Fouladian's PortableVideoAdapter (https://github.com/rezafouladian/PortableVideoAdapter). One of the fiddlier parts has been figuring out what connectors are actually on the video cable between the logic board (J19) and the adapter. So I pulled the original cable and photographed both ends closely. Sharing what I found in case it saves someone else the trouble. Here is the TLDR:  LCD Cable: The OG cable has two different connectors on it, from two different manufacturers.  The logic board end (J19) mates a Yamaichi NFP-26A — confirmed straight off the "NFP-26A AS" marking molded on the connector, right next to the J19/DISPLAY board silkscreen.   The LCD end is a Continental Wirt connector, marked "CW PAT. 4,669,801" — that patent number is real and checks out: US 4,669,801, "Connector with contacts on 0.025 inch centers," assigned to Continental Wirt Electronics Corp, filed 1985, issued 1987. The description matches the part exactly — IDC contacts on 0.025"/0.635mm centers, removable cover, U-shaped stainless strain-relief strap.   Why this matters if you're sourcing a replacement The J19 end LOOKS like a standard 1.27mm 2x13 IDC header at first glance — same 1.27mm pitch along each row — but the row-to-row spacing is 2.2mm, not the usual 1.27mm square grid. A generic 1.27mm square-grid IDC socket (I tried a CNC Tech 3230-26-0102-00) will NOT seat on it. Measured body length is 15.7mm; 12 gaps × 1.27mm = 15.24mm span, which matches Yamaichi's published NFP-26A contact span exactly. If you're building a cable: The Cable: The cable is 0.635mm pitch, 26 conductor. Equivalent: 3M 3756/26 (PVC) or 3M 3609/26 (silver-plated FEP, more flexible) The Logic Board End of the Cable fitting into J19: The J19 end is the same either way (Yamaichi NFS-26A-0110BF, Newark has them with part number: 41AH4629).I haven't found another type; these are on back order. The LCD End of the Cable: I did find an equivalent Cable socket: CNC Tech 3230-26-0102-00 (IDC) DigiKey 3883497, ~$3 — CONFIRMED fit, in stock Handle the J19 end carefully Removing the logic-board-end connector from the ribbon (to inspect it, or to reuse it on a new cable) is riskier than it looks — it breaks easily. I've already lost one of these to a snap during a cable swap. If you're going to disturb that connector at all, go slow and support the shroud itself rather than pulling on the ribbon or cover. The J19 Header: Yamaichi NFP-26A-0324-BF, (male, soldered to the logic board) That's the exact board-mount header.  The LCD Header: Can't source this OG part.. at least I can't find it. Modern replacement Amphenol 20021111-00026T4LF (2x13, 1.27mm square grid, unshrouded, through-hole) DigiKey 609-3720-ND This is able to accept the OG CW connector from the cable as a bonus as well.  | |
| Posted by: Froggy814 on 2026-08-26 16:38:53 Good write up! 👍 It sounds like you were only able to find a replacement modern part for the end connector on the LCD side. Right? | |
| Posted by: campbellashe on 2026-08-26 17:07:00 I did find a socket and cable end for the LCD side.... LCD-side board header can use CNC Tech 3220-26-0100-00 (DigiKey 1175-1639-ND) LCD Cable socket Can use CNC Tech as well 3230-26-0102-00-ND. (DigiKey 3230-26-0102-00-ND) The Amphenol 20021111-00026T4LF — DigiKey 609-3720-ND can also be used as the LCD Board header (this is the one that I found first and the OG LCD cable does fit into it and it has the same foot print to allow direct solder onto the OG LCD board or Reza's Board). The Logic Board side (cable socket and logic board header) is the side that is on back order.....from Mouser and Newark | |
| Posted by: Froggy814 on 2026-08-26 17:14:59 If you get the logic board side in... Let me know! Thanks for the info, it's really good! | |
Posted by: campbellashe on 2026-09-23 08:40:42 They finally arrived | |
| Posted by: Froggy814 on 2026-09-23 11:38:22 What! Good for you! Where did they arrive from? Hooray! | |
| Posted by: campbellashe on 2026-09-23 12:00:19 | |
| Posted by: Froggy814 on 2026-09-23 14:02:27 Nice! Thanks for showing this... I really need that Board of mine to work! | |
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