Vintage Atari Portfolio Cleaned Rebuilt LCD W Cables See Photos
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:1118504 | Brand: Atari |
| Model: Atari Portfolio |
(HISTORY)
- These were released on June 1989 (30 years ago)
- These are very well known for use in the Terminator 2 movie, as John Conner hacks the ATM PIN code.
(AUCTION INCLUDES)
- (1) Atari Portfolio
- (1) Battery Cover
- (1) Interface Cover(CONDITION)
- Tested as Used Working
- Outer plastic is typical used 30 year old electronic device. See photos for outer 30 year cosmetic condition.
- Clam shell and hinges shut very easily, on this one. Does not ...bind like some others.
- One of the top clam shell latch hooks is broken off (see photos). Not an issue, as the other latch keeps it very securely snug closed.
- Inner electronics are wicked clean.
- Battery contacts in excellent shiny condition. No battery corrosion on this one.
- Both bottom rubber strips are present on this one.
- Peripheral metal contacts look really good. No corrosion.
- Keyboard is in excellent condition.
- Speaker works and makes noise.
- LCD is in excellent condition. No lines or missing character areas.
- Atari Portfolio Plastic LCD overlay is typical use for 30 years, see photos.
- Back Atari label is in excellent condition. See photos.
- Battery strap battery puller is on this one. Silly or minor, not needed. But unique, as I typically do not see this on most.
- Tested working with external 6V DC adapter (not included).
- Tested working with 3 AA Batteries (not included).
(CUSTOM LCD WORK NOTES)
- 30 Year old Atari Portfolio LCD ribbon cables are notorious for cracking and breaking the copper traces. Just the nature of old age.
- Even if you bought a used working one from eBay (as I did), the LCD ribbon cable will highly likely crack after opening and closing a few times.
- The Atari ribbon cables were also directly soldered, and not swappable, for easy end user serviceability.
- To my knowledge they are custom Atari made LCD ribbon cables, or I could not source them from anywhere.
- I saw an opportunity to make it better, and try to sell. So, I made my own custom PCB, and assemblies. Found a manufacturer to make 200 of them for me.
- I have ultrasonically cleaned the boards, and removed the old Atari LCD assembly and added my newly made LCD assemblies.
- I even made them, to where you could easily replace the ribbon cable in the future if you wanted to, without soldering.
- I also replaced the power cables on the main PCB to the negative battery PCB, with new cables.
- In short. This unit works really well, and will give you that confidence it will work well, or won't give you the "don't open LCD as it will crack the ribbon cable" syndrome.
- This is my first one to sell like this. If it sells well, I will do more. Have to also figure out what the sweet spot is in pricing (what the general market is willing to pay for these Super Atari Portfolios". I have about 10 or so complete units I can rebuild, just need to see if its worth it first.
- What would be just sick.. is to get new outer plastic housings made. Ha! Not sure if I want to go that far...yet.. :-)
- Let me know if you have any questions.
- These were released on June 1989 (30 years ago)
- These are very well known for use in the Terminator 2 movie, as John Conner hacks the ATM PIN code.
(AUCTION INCLUDES)
- (1) Atari Portfolio
- (1) Battery Cover
- (1) Interface Cover(CONDITION)
- Tested as Used Working
- Outer plastic is typical used 30 year old electronic device. See photos for outer 30 year cosmetic condition.
- Clam shell and hinges shut very easily, on this one. Does not ...bind like some others.
- One of the top clam shell latch hooks is broken off (see photos). Not an issue, as the other latch keeps it very securely snug closed.
- Inner electronics are wicked clean.
- Battery contacts in excellent shiny condition. No battery corrosion on this one.
- Both bottom rubber strips are present on this one.
- Peripheral metal contacts look really good. No corrosion.
- Keyboard is in excellent condition.
- Speaker works and makes noise.
- LCD is in excellent condition. No lines or missing character areas.
- Atari Portfolio Plastic LCD overlay is typical use for 30 years, see photos.
- Back Atari label is in excellent condition. See photos.
- Battery strap battery puller is on this one. Silly or minor, not needed. But unique, as I typically do not see this on most.
- Tested working with external 6V DC adapter (not included).
- Tested working with 3 AA Batteries (not included).
(CUSTOM LCD WORK NOTES)
- 30 Year old Atari Portfolio LCD ribbon cables are notorious for cracking and breaking the copper traces. Just the nature of old age.
- Even if you bought a used working one from eBay (as I did), the LCD ribbon cable will highly likely crack after opening and closing a few times.
- The Atari ribbon cables were also directly soldered, and not swappable, for easy end user serviceability.
- To my knowledge they are custom Atari made LCD ribbon cables, or I could not source them from anywhere.
- I saw an opportunity to make it better, and try to sell. So, I made my own custom PCB, and assemblies. Found a manufacturer to make 200 of them for me.
- I have ultrasonically cleaned the boards, and removed the old Atari LCD assembly and added my newly made LCD assemblies.
- I even made them, to where you could easily replace the ribbon cable in the future if you wanted to, without soldering.
- I also replaced the power cables on the main PCB to the negative battery PCB, with new cables.
- In short. This unit works really well, and will give you that confidence it will work well, or won't give you the "don't open LCD as it will crack the ribbon cable" syndrome.
- This is my first one to sell like this. If it sells well, I will do more. Have to also figure out what the sweet spot is in pricing (what the general market is willing to pay for these Super Atari Portfolios". I have about 10 or so complete units I can rebuild, just need to see if its worth it first.
- What would be just sick.. is to get new outer plastic housings made. Ha! Not sure if I want to go that far...yet.. :-)
- Let me know if you have any questions.
