Macintosh Powerbook 180c restoration madness

#macintosh #vintagecomputing #retrocomputing
I have a pair of these machines that are in pretty rough shape with lots of issues such as LCD problems and cracked plastic. The biggest question always is, can I get them working?

[@UKSCIENCEORG]

I can see (in the not too distant future) a time when all the plastic parts for many old machines can be 3D printed to the same surface texture, colour and dimensions etc - including colour inserts like badges. The 3D scanning technology is getting there. So long as mint examples exist that can be used as a 'pattern' part. The problem will be getting the LCD panels!

[@charlesdorval394]

Madness indeed! hehehehe
I had no idea CCFLs we're getting redder when aging! I just assumed I was smoking too much whilst coding lol
Thanks!

[@BigBadBench]

Looking forward to hearing if the hinges hold up

[@kirishima638]

This was great. I plan to print my own parts to fix the hinges on mine.
It didn’t occur to me it might by the diffuser plate going yellow that causes the yellow tint on my 170 and not the backlight bulb.
I’m not sure using the SD card for virtual memory is a good idea.