LCD Replacement for the Macintosh Portable

Trash80toG4

Active Tinkerer
Apr 1, 2022
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Bermuda Triangle, NC USA
I've been saying this for a while; what we really need is for a wizard of 3D CAD to recreate the LCD bezel of the Luggable. That way it can be printed with no Trackball cutouts for use with the NumPad or with a single cutout for left or right handed use with trackball and a larger display centered on the KBD.
 

Froggy814

New Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
84
21
8
Squaw Valley, CA
I've been saying this for a while; what we really need is for a wizard of 3D CAD to recreate the LCD bezel of the Luggable. That way it can be printed with no Trackball cutouts for use with the NumPad or with a single cutout for left or right handed use with trackball and a larger display centered on the KBD.
Definitely! But unfortunately, I don't have a couple $1000 to spend on a 3d scanner... That would be an amazing thing to add to the list of created parts for the Portable though!
 

Trash80toG4

Active Tinkerer
Apr 1, 2022
1,427
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Bermuda Triangle, NC USA
I've always wondered how good those scanners actually are. Folks seem to use digital calipers, rulers and the like for such things. Thankfully, I have a sacrificial Luggable on hand. The retractable handle bits make that bezel seem crazy complicated to model. ;)
 

Trash80toG4

Active Tinkerer
Apr 1, 2022
1,427
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Bermuda Triangle, NC USA
I'm right there with you, but concentrating on other wildly impractical avenues of approach to this mess for the time being. My CAD experience pretty much ended sometime in the mid-90's and never really progressed into the realm of 3D. I do 3D stuff betwixt the ears from 2D inputs. Works well for me, but doesn't translate into real world application.

So it goes . . .
 
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Froggy814

New Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
84
21
8
Squaw Valley, CA
Alright, An update is due... Good news! The PCB's showed up and I was able to solder most of the components on...
Bad news, the aliexpress order hasn't shown up yet and I tore the pads for the FPC connector on the board was working on, I noticed it after I had put all the other components on :( So now I am going to transfer all of the components to one of the other 4 boards and hopefully "crossing fingers" the parts that I lost (the inductor for 1V1 on the rp2350) show up. and I do all the extra work it all works!
 

Froggy814

New Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
84
21
8
Squaw Valley, CA
Question for those who will use it in the upcoming (however long it is) future!

Would you like a usb-c on the final design for updating the code on the rp235xA, or a micro usb-b? The micro usb-b is a LOT cheaper to implement (or so I've found...)

But I am asking for your user serviceability, which one?

Or maybe a mac specific? :LOL:
 

campbellashe

New Tinkerer
Sep 8, 2025
36
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Asheville, NC
Maybe start with the cheaper one (micro USB-B) ; we all have adapters. Perhaps keep USB-C for version two if you want... I think the soldering work is overall about the same; more pins on the USB-C
 

Froggy814

New Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
84
21
8
Squaw Valley, CA
Alright, been trying to find a way to upload the modified code, just changed pinouts and the like through text editor, to the Frogitron... But I can't seem to figure out how. Does anyone know how to do it or can do it for me? Thanks!
 

Froggy814

New Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
84
21
8
Squaw Valley, CA
Alright, working on the code right now, but just got my portable apart aaaanndddd... The adapter hat doesn't fit! 😭 Now I have to figure out exactly what headers I can buy or make, so it's just a plug and play procedure. I don't want to use the original cable if I don't have to because my Portable's LCD is working fine right now... If you have any suggestions please let me know!
 

Froggy814

New Tinkerer
May 6, 2026
84
21
8
Squaw Valley, CA
Unfortanantly, my plans will have to change if I don't find a way to use the original connector... 😥 But my genouis brain said,"You could take inspiration from the video mac pac."

That's what it told me. SOOO I am wondering if anyone has a video mac pac they can hook me up with so I can probe and test with it? Otherwise I make one.

EDIT: @Androda might know where to get them?? I was told by @wottle that you used them on your replacement LCD cables so do you know what connectors I can use?