Macintosh Portable teardown and recap

Old electronic devices with surface mount electrolytic capacitors are often affected by capacitor leakage.
Here is a tutorial describing the steps for disassembly of a Macintosh Portable, and the process of replacing old, damaged capacitors on the motherboard.
0:48 Teardown
10:47 Recapping
1:11:01 Testing
Capacitor replacement guide:
recapamac.com....
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Tools/Products used (paid links):
Digital Multimeter: kaiweets.com/p...
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[@ActionRetro]

Man such a nice looking portable too.

[@philippbokrand26]

I'm only 10 minutes into the video and I'm already bathed in sweat listening to the plastic tabs screeching...well done Bruce. I would handle you over all my gear for repair without hesitation after I saw this knowing it will be well taken care of.

[@DeBovenkamer]

I followed your instructions to take apart my Macintosh Portable. Very well explained, it's an easy job while watching your video! Regards, Ivan from "de Bovenkamer".

[@JDW-]

Great video, Bruce. I've always wanted a Portable. Issues pertaining to that Lead Acid battery always kept me from buying one, not to mention the shipping fees to Japan! It was still very nice to see your teardown and recap though. Great work!

[@madeleinemcandrews6712]

Hey, nice portable there Bruce. I was playing Lode Runner on it a minute ago.

[@WalmartMustacheMan]

I got an M5126(Backlight model) on the way from Japan, this will definitely be helpful so thank you for this

[@TheHouseOfMoth]

Very nicely done, as per usual of course! That LCD is very crisp! Never knew.

[@alexshepherd]

Wonderful video, very useful for ‘psyching up’ before actually working on the Portable (even though I’ve recapped several Powerbook 100s). Incidentally, a Powerbook 100 has a 4.7uF electro cap as well :) I work exactly as you do when removing components. The only small difference in my approach would come in at 37:45 - after all the new solder and flux, and solder wick - instead of scraping with a blade, I would clean the area with Circuit Board Cleaner (that dark-green spraycan from Jaycar is suitably potent) on a cotton bud. I find this instantly removes all the capacitor gunk and flux residue. Sometimes I use it immediately after removing the caps, before I start solder tinning/wicking the pads. Helps to reduce the fishy smell! I’ve never been a fan of tantalums - one of the reasons is the width as you show, the other is their lack of flexibility (pins will break off if the board or component expands with heat) and the third risk is their failure mode of shorting (or turning into low-ohm resistors). Instead I use new SMD electro caps from Wurth (via Mouser), good value and available in the right sizes. Maybe they last 20 years, maybe they don’t - we’ll see

[@remisclassiccomputers341]

Great video! I fixed mine from a terrible state. One problem still, SCSI controller not working. Check vias?

[@michaelmullett7327]

BRUCE, FANTASTIC JOB, REALLY ENJOYED THIS TEARDOWN AND RECAP, IF I EVER GET ME A PORTABLE, THIS VIDEO COULD BE FOLLOWED FOR ME TO DO THE SAME, AWESOME MY FRIEND!

[@KyleGP]

Nice, you've convinced me I need to pull out my portable from storage and check for leaks. Did you boot this up using a hard drive (as it was noted to be missing), or do you know of alternatives to the original drives? Pretty sure mine is toast.

[@BranchusCreations]

The owner of this Mac Portable was using a SCSI2SD, along with one of these: www.ebay.com/itm/312973273392

[@oneyedthing]

The is educational and therapeutic at the same time

[@trevgauntletneu_gaming]

Good morning, Bruce, I have a question about the head shield plates. Do you know where you bought them from?

[@ChrisWeissLovesBacon]

I have been searching high and low with no results. _Which_ pins on the keyboard connector do you short to get the Portable to power up for the test phase???? (Thanks for the otherwise awesome video!)

[@kirishima638]

I have a PowerBook 100 which is basically the simplified, miniaturized version of this. It's interesting to see the differences on the motherboard. Does the PRAM battery circuit work for you? Mine doesn't despite a recap.

[@mikaelbiilmann6826]

Hugh Jeffreys should get in touch with you. He just bought one of these, which needs repairing too.

[@Daniel-be6cj]

What model Ultrasonic Cleaner do you use? I've been wanting one for cleaning old mac boards including a Portable and have had a hard time deciding which one would fit that large of a board. Excellent video!

[@Countryballsworld-2014]

Great job

[@longlake5913]

Hello Bruce, Nice job once again. I am in the process of recapping mine and wondering what pins you shorted to test it before putting it all back together. I see someone else asked you, but can't find the response you posted.

[@DanaDoesStuff]

Now I want one. :P

[@aidenyu3582]

Hi Bruce, So I recently got a Portable for $400 from Facebook market. So I don't have any fancy tools, other than basic soldering tools. Is it still possible to solder off the capacitors instead of heating them and popping off? Thanks

[@antariksavvan]

07:03 is it possible to make a custom case and connector adapter for the keyboard to be a standalone keyboard? As a custom keyboard enthusiast, I really like the aesthetic of Macintosh Portable keyboard

[@Jake-Balibari]

Your skill is amazing! Would you do it for mine (and of course for money) if I send you the motherboard?

[@BranchusCreations]

Where are you located? Does your Portable currently work?

[@williamo4553]

I think I acquired a non-backlight version. How different is this backlit board from the non?

[@dbhansen]

Capacitors are a little different, and you have to work around the Hybrid board by the reset buttons, but the general procedure is the same. Here's a cap reference: www.maccaps.com/MacCaps/Capacitor_Reference/Entries/1989/9/20_Macintosh_Portable.html

[@williamo4553]

@@dbhansen Glorious! thank you very much kind sir!

[@dbhansen]

@@williamo4553 Good luck! They're fun and beautiful machines, if a little fussy - especially the non-backlit ones.

[@furrball]

um... dunno but, if I need to desolder a simple thru-hole cap, I grab it with tweezers from the other side, melt the pins and lever in both directions, much less heat and if one pulls always toward the board, it shouldn't do damage.

[@FOBob-sr1fd]

That thing was insanely expensive.