The $21,000 Apple Laptop from 1989 - First Apple Laptop - Macintosh Portable
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ม.ค. 2025
- Its heavy, its thick, its "portable", its Apple's first laptop computer.
-------------------------------------Socials------------------------------------
Website: www.hughjeffre...
Instagram: / hughjeffreys
Twitter: / hughjeffreys
--------------------------------------Links--------------------------------------
Tools I Use: www.hughjeffre...
Get parts, tools, and thousands of free repair guides from iFixit at:
iFixit.com/hug...
Australian Store: ifix.gd/2FPxhKy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, l will receive a small commission.)
Honestly, 700 Australian Dollars for a barely sold product from 30 years ago that started on what now converts to over $21,000 is one heck of a deal
Nowadays you can find Mac Portables for less than that, seems like he slightly overpaid
@@metromodernism I... I meant as a collector's item...
Who would buy this for daily use in 2021...
@@cuentaeliminada7176 I know that, i’m not really sure what point you’re trying to make here. He overpaid for his Mac Portable because they usually go for much less, I didn’t mention anything about it being a main computer.
Also he said $520 US, not Australian
@@cuentaeliminada7176 try again
Make an appointment with Apple and see what their genius bar would recommend
Full logic board repair for $50000 with 1 pixel damaged on the screen so another so another $30000. Let's not forget the keyboard has one spec of dust so another $5000 for deep cleaning that. Ooh I almost forgot to mention that this is retro tech and our first ever laptop so another $35000 for that.
@@Emobullymaguire sounds about accurate lol
@@h0rze423 lol
@@Emobullymaguire Apple cleaning a keyboard?? Never. Replaces outright. :P
@@cybercat1531 oh yeah I forgot. We are going to e replace your keyboard with an extremely durable polycarbonate with a beautiful and luscious black finish with the particular letters intricately etched on to the key right at its center. Also, our ribbons which are present underneath the keys are a slightly different and more elegant shade of color than which other companies primarily use. Due to this we feel entitled to receive at least $50000 for our hard work.
PS: the polycarbonate in question is plastic.
these old laptops fascinate me, great to see how portable looked 32 years ago.
same goes for TVs, death used to be a risk when moving one them around lol.
and now I can just one arm carry my 43inch TV
The nicest thing about that era Apple Product were the user manuals, they were well designed and were in themselves a collectable item
It’s amazing how technology has changed over the years and how things are a lot smaller. only for collectors now
Enjoying your videos 😊
With Apple it was always a work of art in presentation.
The interrupt switch is actually intended for developers. If you press it while the system is booting up, you’ll get a Sad Mac.
The important point is that all Macs up till the iMac had the reset and interrupt buttons, so no, the Mac Portable wasn’t special. My PowerMac 9500 has both for example. Pretty sure my Beige G3 does too.
@@memsom I’ll mention the PCI PowerMacs including the 9500 do not have a sad Mac, and the only way to cause the crash sound is if there is a genuine hardware issue (eg no RAM).
that must of been a good prank back then 😈💾
@@memsom My G4 Cube had one
specifically it'll get you a sad mac because the system is supposed to set up the address in the vector table that the 68k uses upon that interrupt to jump to, with it just pointing to a routine that displays a test sad mac screen by default
I love watching your videos at work keep up the great work much love!!!!
Yeeeaaahh Me too
Do your job
Great video! My first Mac was a Mac Plus. I've seen a 512 Mac before, but I've never seen the 89 Laptop - it's really interesting! When I was teaching, we had 10 Mac Plus computers connected with LocalTalk to an ImageWriter II printer with a network card in it. Those were the days! Thanks for the trip down memory lane. :)
he thicc.(the laptop not Hugh :D)
Yes I stole it from Mrwhosetheboss (unboxing the forgotten samsung phone, 0:19)
The laptop pretty thick, but Hugh ain't too bad either
Oof
lets be real hugh probably a whole snack
Those clicks keys though…made me smile.
Would absolutely love to see a full restoration video on this, maybe with the updated hard drive and battery so that you can do a full OS reinstall. Keep up the great content!
You could try soldering some connections in the battery tray inside the laptop and power it with a bench power supply. This might help deliver constant voltage and power to those finicky electronics :)
And also recap it.
Recap PSU
Something about old tech in general is so mesmerizing for some reason
the power of nostalgia
Rolling Stones earn tons of money thanks to that
Ahhh, the good old days, when you could easily break down and repair a computer
You can still do that as long as you dont have an apple computer
@@pegg5404 eh... hardly. even many new windows laptops are barely upgradeable anymore
it had a GUI?! it's so smooth! Please do more videos on this amazing relic!
I mean it's a full 68k based Mac
I'll give you a hint that will solve all of your issues with this laptop
capacitors
yes shocking
Lol
I get it!
I love the rainbow apple logo!
I love this look at some forgotten history of technology. I have limited experience with a Mac (just in the computer lab at university), but I dimly recall this system from coverage in Byte magazine. I hope you will eventually be able to get it working -- and produce a follow-up video.
Woowowow this is the laptop that I first wanted to buy.
My dad used one from the college he taught at in 1990. I must have been the first person in my school to do some design work homework on a portable computer!
I always wanted one of these. Looking straight on the screen was amazingly clear compared to other things at the time. I remember in 1990 I was lucky enough to go to watch the Commonwealth Games in Auckland and at the swimming event a Journalist had one of these sitting right in front of me. I was spellbound at the time on how clear the screen was. It was super rare even back then due to the price. Journalism at least paid something back then!
def not first but ik it’s gonna be good
Amazing Videos! Keep up the amazing work!
-Error screen- "sad mac icon"
The hard drive is dying 100%. It is impossible to find a working model of such hdd
At least, you can find alternatives, like SD2SCSI for compact Macs.
I love how it says good night.
Please never stop this chanel it is one of the best Repair Chanel and i watch your videos now 4 years.
Great video, amazing to see how the technology has evolved over the years
Damn, that Macbook and Sd card comparison looks as if we are using Sorcery for our products now.
This is so true
Facts, like imagine time traveling back and showing a computer a nerd the SD card💀
Look into how SSDs work. We kinda _are_ using sorcery.
So let me explain the drawback with the Macintosh portable is the Macintosh portable has no stop charge feature what that means is that the battery won’t stop charging once it’s full causing the battery to explode remove the battery before it goes boom
As long as the charging current is below a certain value, both Ni-Cd as well as Ni-MH will just get warm, without causing further damage.
@@graealex thats not it that laptop was stopped being made because the battery explodes the charging circuit doesnt stop charging the battery when the battery is fully charged it continues to charge the battery until it explodes
@@johnDingoFoxVelocity But the the reason is that the charging voltage is too high, which in lead acid batteries leads to electrolysis, with the hydrogen produced being explosive. But continually charging lead acid batteries is normal practice in cars for decades, without risk of explosion.
@@graealex Correct because the circuit tells the battery to except a charge then when the battery is full the charger stops charging the battery until the battery is drained this is how a normal charging system works in this laptop it doesn’t do this it continues to feed high voltage into the battery causing the battery to explode there is tons of documentation online about this specific model of Apple laptop There’s a reason why Apple stop making it because it exploded
@@johnDingoFoxVelocity That's how a modern lithium charger works, but in the past, it was enough to put a current of 0.1C in, and the battery would simply not accept any more charge after it is full, and instead just dissipate the energy as heat. That's done with a simple LM317 constant current source. I'm not sure what the reason for the failure is with this specific laptop, but continually charging a battery has been the default mode of operation for decades and doesn't indicate a faulty charger.
Looking for a full restoration of this behemoth! 😊
Didn't knew this one existed and now you're trying to fix it somehow. Can't wait for more!
I’ve never seen such a close look at one of these! Awesome. Seems like they used the same keyboard font until the mid 2000’s (my 2006 iMac looked almost identical).
I kinda love that font. It's so retro
My first memories of an Apple product was my grandma's Macintosh Apple IIGS and playing various MS-DOS games on it. Damn, those were some experiences...
watching this on my 2021 macbook pro. this really just shows how far apple has come and this also made me realize that apple gets less credit for their newer laptops than they actually deserve. wow.
My dad’s coworker had one. It wasn’t impressive to me in the day. It just seemed odd. The PowerBook 100 however was mind blowing. I remember loving the compact Macs, they were just so well designed.
7:22 probably that is playing a role of CMOS battery
It’s amazing how the OS is instantly recognisable as Apple 🍎 and that the look and layout hasn’t changed much!
Nice video Hugh Jeffery you have inspired me to start my own repair business
Calling this a "laptop" is a stretch. I sure wouldn't want to use this on my lap! Great machines though if you can get them working!
Macintosh Portable,name for a reason
I’d use it, looks amazing
Well you can’t expect to have a MacBook Air on your lap in 1989..
back then, laptop's are called portables
they aren't light nowadays, but they are lighter, smaller than your traditional BASIC/MS-DOS computer
portable's main goal is to be small so it would be easy enough to travel with.
its just a more portable computer, you don't have to plug in as many cables and stuff, its like an all in one including the keyboard and mouse.
hugh then: fix pc ok ok
hugh now: pc temporary. *apple is eternal.*
would be interesting to see you bring this to the apple store
Watching this on my hackintosh. Oh how times have changed.
For the battery, I happen to work at a battery store, and while that battery would technically work it was definitely not the right one for longevity. You’re going to want a 6v 5ah DEEP CYCLE battery, that way it can handle being used by the laptop. The PowerSonic one you have is actually something we sell, but that is a float battery, simply used for backup power and not meant to be the primary battery for its application. I can try to get my hands on one and send it to you, let me know.
omg seeing the card really put things in perspective 😭😭 i love old computers
I find it sorta cute how the laptop said "Good Night" when it wanted to go to sleep
I never knew about that bag. Looks extremely finely crafted
Literally the best thing about this laptop (although I wouldn’t want to put it on my lap at 7 kilos) is, in my opinion, the keyboard. Current laptop keyboards can’t come close to that as far as I’m concerned.
Those are some ALPs switches inside that laptop, I thought I recognized that sound! Excellent switches, that board came with SKCM Salmons or SKCM Oranges, both are excellent tactile switches that were popular at the time. No wonder that keyboard feels good! Enjoy your sample of vintage Mac glory. I have a Macintosh Classic, SE and SE/30 as well as an old Apple IIGS and a few Amigas. Vintage computers are an expensive but worthwhile hobby, I hope you'll find.
3:10 but if the device dosen t have power button, how did u restarted it?
Yup, agree with you.
It has a reset button
@@TechHowden You are right, now I saw that the laptop has a reset button
The tiny storage/RAM of vintage computers is fascinating,and hilarious !
This is the best video yet
How odd the first apple laptop came out the year I was born and I've just started saving for a Mac laptop
That’s pristine. Thank-you.
Great video Hugh! I hope you get it fully working.
Some quick research shows these had a 6V 5AH battery composed of three 2V 5AH cells. Alternatively, using a PowerBook 100 Series AC Adapter will allow you to use the machine without the battery as these run with a higher current at the same voltage.
Hello Hugh, what a incredible viedeo! I have one mac Portable too! I purchased it to a friend of mine by 1994, I worked with the Mac and were memorable days, same fail occurs, the original battery was dead, no charge anymore, and I worked just only withe the charger connected since I got it. I am a mac user since 1992 and think is the HDD the fail, but thera are many comments with goos points of view to consider, I am thinking to get out this beautiful piece to check it again and give a second chance, greetings form Mexico.
Beautiful specimen-would love to see more on it as you endeavor onwards with it!
Always wanted a Macintosh Portable for my collection, but settled on a Powerbook 170. Essentially it's a Macintosh Portable in a laptop form-factor, complete with the same type of active-matrix backlit LCD! (the back light can even toggle off/on so it looks like the original Mac Portable!). Much like the 1984 Apple IIc (Apple's very first attempt at a portable computer), I consider the Macintosh Portable a "luggable" computer. In some sense so was the original Mac 128, with it's top recessed handle. And yes, the original Mac 128 and Apple IIc came with their own unique carrying cases.
It is beautiful to see old laptop working
Good luck to you! I have been looking for that for a long time ago...
Just realized the Acer Predator 21X from 2017 bear some resemblances in number pad/touchpad module design with this Mac! I am amazed.
Would be great to see a recap, a battery replacement and a hard drive replacement.
That retrobrite job though - its perfect.
If you had this laptop back in 1989, you were ahead of the time.
That keyboard is alps SKCM salmon which are very nice switches that are not being made anymore.
Too noisy perhaps 🙉
I have some digital magnetic core memory that blows me away when I compare it to any type of modern memory let alone micro sd cards. I always look forward to your exploration, deconstruction and repair, Cheers
I just noticed that 6V battery is the same size and capacity as the type required for my 1984 Tomy Omnibot
i love how it says "good night" when it dies
and thats why some games and software would say press any key, it was in reference to when there was a key called the any key
It’s incredible how the trackpad has changed over the years!
finaly found a good vid,thanks hugh :D
Ah yes, the Laptop with the Car Battery
What an amazing find. I so wish I could find one. Would love to have this.
This project will be the ultimate test to Mr. Jeffrey’s YT career. If he succeeds, he will be remembered as those prestigious and professional TH-camrs like Adrian’ Digital Basement and Louis Rossmann. If he fails, he will be just like “those people”, like that kid who made the fake rusted BMW restoration video, Jerry Rig Everything, and Jayztwocent’s repair videos, which are an utter joke.
Huh? You made horrible points and liked ur comments on 4 account
@@unowastaken3903 lol I don't have 4 accounts. If that's April fools for me than good for you. Anyway, what I meant was that If he succeed, he will be praised. If he fails, it might damage his reputation, because fixing old computers is a whole new level from replacing broken screens off of phones.
ok...
Y’know those last two content creators you just mentioned have a fairly good reputation.
@@Tropicality. We are entertained by their personality, not the skill. I’m sure we can agree Hugh is more focused on the latter.
Imagine gaming on that Macintosh...
The gui is really snappy for 1989!
This is a nice job 👏
...What's a huge effry?
My old man had one of these along with other macs. This and the 'Apple Macintosh' from 84 both weighed the same... The ball mouse was excellent for playing 'Shufflepuck' back in the day and as you've noted, the keyboard felt excellent.
Back at it again
the bag is actually sick drip huahauahua
A friend of mine had one of these…. It was crazy at the time. He was writing his articles on the beach !!
There is something about classic LCDs, a crispness they have, that just never feels the same as what we have today.
Can you do videos turning these retro machines into modern ones?
0:38 you just lost your accent for 1 second
Looking forward to the continuing saga. Could end up being a movie length feature😀
So potentially, the power supply could be so old that it’s not able to provide much power. My PowerBook 170 power adapter worked kind of but eventually it died and so I opened it up and recapped it. But opening these power supplies can be very difficult so it’s actually a good idea to buy a charger such as one for a slightly newer PowerBook which are the same voltage but with current at 2-3a and use that to have a more stable flow of electricity or even solder the original cable onto a generic 7.5v charger with 1.5a or more of current. I believe more current shouldn’t cause a problem because current depends on the resistance of a circuit and how much it can pull. For the battery, being a 6 volt lead acid means the max charge is probably around 7.2v or so but you’re have to try probing the 2 contact points with a multimeter to know for sure. In any case, a typical lithium ion battery wouldn’t work as the max voltage on those is 4.2v per cell which no combination would get close to that. You could replace it with another lead acid such as a sealed lead acid battery which would make the most sense and you could even buy the same cells used to make the original battery to make something as stock as possible which would be 3x EnerSys Cyclon 2V 5ah cells, though I’d imagine you could get more capacity with an SLA that doesn’t use the same jelly roll style cells such as the ones used for an uninterrupted power supply (UPS). Though I don’t know the dimensions of the portable’s battery so it would take some measurements to find out what size of battery would fit. The one that was in there doesn’t seem to be the largest so that could do with an upgrade. Technically, a lithium iron phosphate battery with 2 cells in a series would work because the max voltage for those are 3.6v per cell. But I’m not sure where those could be found and in what sizes but those have really good capacity. The thing that could really help this machine is to change the original hard drive to a SCSI to SD card or compact flash adapter. It would also make the machine much lighter AND you could even have enough space to install a second floppy drive since the connectors are all present in any configuration. But having something that’s not a 32 year old hard drive would certainly rule out a lot of problems.
What's fun is that most of that bulk and weight seems to be just from the hard drive and the battery.
Macintosh Portable
Bruh you honestly get the best deals!
Yea I was thinking this would cost like 2 grand or something
Make the keyboard a seperate part and sell it for like 200$ I would buy it.
I would love to see a repair video on this
Please do a video on retro-fitting a new battery! I have yet to find a goid video on TH-cam that shows tou how to do it
The issue is probably capacitors. I'm willing to bet you'll find a messy, gooey logic board from all of the cap leakage. Find someone who can re-cap it or do it yourself if you know how. My Macintosh IIsi (from around the same year...1990) worked for about 15 minutes before it died due to caps. Got it recapped and it runs like brand new. Incredibly stable, fast after some upgrades, etc.
That hard drive sounds disgracefully old, and, I just generally do not like the sound of it. Also, when you’re watching on a device that can fit inside this laptop, literally, and that has 128 gigs of storage, four gigs of RAM, and, a six core CPU! iPhone 12!
Another great vid!
Greeting from Greece. You are awesome, keep it up!
Why the hell should I care that you are from Greece?
@@meyerfauth935 Ok racist.
How is that racist? I just don’t care that you are from Greece. Congratulations? The Parthenon is cool.
@@meyerfauth935 why should anyone care for you with that attitude. We still love you, no matter what problems you are going through... we are one world, it’s good to know how many countries follow Hugh.
Yes. I enjoy hugh as well. And I am sorry off insulting the Greece. Hello from Montana. Which is basically saying hello form Canada. Because USA wanted to sell Montana to Canada.
Wow the screen is super sharp looking and clear.
Because it is monochrome.
I seriously love how that thing looks, would love to have one. i know that my PowerBook 180 Macintosh is a nice retro portable but its nothing compared to this
Thank you for watching,
For questions, guidance and support at anytime just DM on WhatsApp
*+*1* *8*7*3* *5*0*2* *0*0*1*5* ✓
My guess is that the unstability comes from leaking SMD capacitors on the board. The Macintosh Portable, just like the SE/30, is known for having leaky caps, and it makes the system very unstable.
Would love to see a retrofit to a new system with new screen, sd, mother board etc. etc... great purchase!
I used a clam shell mac to do CAD work using....um.... vector works...Ithink...
Any how lotta fond memories of the system crashing and constantly asking ot to do more than it was willing todo...
Worth every penny no doubt
The keyboard feels like as if big drops of water are falling in a bucket