Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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See my tricked-out 5126 Backlit Mac Portable from 1990, with Battery Eliminator, 8MB RAM Card, BlueSCSI v2 w/bracket, Keyboard cushion replacement, 3D-printed feet, and deyellowed Spacebar. I even had a foot 3D-printed for the protective carrying case!

🕊️This video is dedicated to the memory of vintage Mac fan and collector, Michael Mullett, who passed away unexpectedly in Feb. 2024. My Portable was purchased from Michael, and he was a friend. His memorial page is here: tinyurl.com/2xnwn3ck
🙏 *SPECIAL THANKS* to Bobby Walker & Mark Jozaitis for getting the Portable to me after Michael's passing. You two gentlemen are nothing short of amazing. 🙇‍♂️

🔎 *INDEX*
0:00 — Intro & Mac Portable History
9:13 — How the ALPS keyswitches sound
10:27 — PowerBook Intro
12:22 — Portable Assembly
28:42 — RAM Card
31:05 — Battery Eliminator
39:14 — Protective Case
40:09 — Low Power Mouse
40:30 — Using the Portable
49:44 — Closing Thoughts
51:29 — 3D-printed "Hello"
52:53 — Merry CMAS & Bonus Content

⚠️ NEVER EVER use a PowerBook AC Adapter with a Mac Portable! youtube.com/watch?v=ed7-AqrY70s

🛒 *PORTABLE GOODIES*
• Battery Eliminator: bit.ly/3XjCiSq
• VGA Adapter: bit.ly/487yXMr
• Hybrid recreation for 5120 repair: bit.ly/4p4RC1g
• RAM Card: _A new one's in the works. I'll post the link when on sale._

🖨️ *3D PRINTABLES*
• "Hello" by Max on ETSY : tinyurl.com/ya77uke2
• Foot for Protective Case (Nylon recommended): thingiverse.com/thing:4594159
• Foot for Portable (TPU recommended): thingiverse.com/thing:2547630/files
• Display-hinge Locking Clip: thingiverse.com/thing:4557110
• Battery Enclosure (like stock): thingiverse.com/thing:5185715
• 6V Batt. Holder 1: thingiverse.com/thing:6682611
• 6V Batt. Holder 2: tinyurl.com/5a388h99
• BlueSCSI v1 Mounting Bracket: thingiverse.com/thing:6404960
• BlueSCSI v2 Mounting Bracket & Cable Adapter: tinyurl.com/y49kkt5x
• Battery Cover (partial): thingiverse.com/thing:4660666

💾 *SOFTWARE*
• Photoshop 1.1: macintoshgarden.org/apps/photoshop-107
• Tour, Inside Portable & Product Sampler STACKS, Update w/Pop-sound Fix: tinyurl.com/4ufb3rra
• Product Training Stack: tinyurl.com/4u3xcemh
• MacTest: tinyurl.com/3ypzdpn8

🎬 *VIDEOS*
• Portable Product Training Kit by @RonsCompVids : youtu.be/rxf-WqWaG9s?si=ORHLjHG36nSc6-xK
_(Fantastic content, including 2 interviews with Jim Cook, Mac Portable Product Manager)_
• Portable Intro by Jean-Louis Gassée: youtube.com/watch?v=-H52pKroOqw&t=230s
• GlobeTV & Oregon State Univ.: youtube.com/watch?v=-H52pKroOqw&t=1421s
• Computer Chronicles: Portable Into '89: youtube.com/watch?v=8wibmbJ7o-I
• Creating the PowerBook (with Portable components size comparison): youtu.be/3s63a6ewkC0?si=c_O-OVPqMMYJ4Mgk&t=5
• Interview with Tom Andrews (Amiga of Rochester): youtu.be/xLaFdY38_HU?si=blBtJNJ_pYK4LYTH

📚 *REFERENCE*
• 🔥👉 My Portable Specs & Info Spreadsheet: tinyurl.com/3rrm4wdj
• LCD Chart for Portable & PowerBooks: tinyurl.com/pkwwpebj
• Disassembly photo guide: bit.ly/49NxIDp
• Diode Mod for external BlueSCSI, etc.: youtu.be/T0aozVSRQss?si=-ppGjMujDZ9o4q4g&t=2461
• Rows of DEAD PIXELS: tinyurl.com/2juje98h
• 2nd internal Floppy Drive: bit.ly/4oWi0u6
• Factory Photos of Portables being made: tinyurl.com/ymj3svs6
• Jef Raskin's Portable & Prototype at DigiBarn: tinyurl.com/42h6ss9y
• Backlit Display Upgrade Kit for 5120: tinyurl.com/y6t72v9f
Rev.B card photo: tinyurl.com/22r58jf4

⚡ *RECAPPING*
• Guides: tinyurl.com/yhprhj8u
⚠️ Trace repairs likely needed too. I paid Amiga of Rochester (Thomas Andrews, see interview video above) for recap & repair. CayMac Vintage, JJ Dasher and other pros can do the job too.
• Console5 DIY Kits for motherboard: tinyurl.com/27d3s29b
• 5126 only: replace 2 caps on the Inverter PCB inside LCD housing:
C201 = C206 = 10µF 16V, D=4.25mm, H=6mm (D=5.5mm max & H=11mm max)
(To open LCD housing, see "Service Source" pg.39 or 47.)

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🎵 MUSIC CREDITS
We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Twin Musicom
is licensed under a CC Attribution 4.0 license.
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Artist: twinmusicom.org

#Apple #Macintosh #Portable #JDW1