Editing PowerBook 165

{{Infobox computer
| name         = PowerBook 165
| image        = [[File:PowerBook 165 (Miguel Duran).jpg|260px|frameless]]
| caption      = PowerBook 165 (Miguel Durán, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5)
| manufacturer = Apple Computer, Inc.
| type         = Notebook computer
| codename     = Dart LC
| release_date = 16 August 1993
| discontinued = 18 July 1994
| price        = US$1,970
| cpu          = Motorola 68030 at 33 MHz; no FPU
| memory       = 4 MB pseudostatic RAM; one expansion slot; 14 MB maximum
| rom          = 1 MB
| storage      = Internal 1.4 MB floppy drive; 2.5-inch SCSI hard disk
| display      = 10-inch backlit FSTN LCD, 640 × 400, 16 greys
| power        = 2.5 Ah NiCad main battery; 3 V lithium PRAM battery
| dimensions   = 2.25 × 11.25 × 9.3 in (5.7 × 28.6 × 23.6 cm)
| weight       = 6.8 lb (3.1 kg) with battery
| os           = System 7.1 to Mac OS 7.6.1
| predecessor  = [[PowerBook 160]]
}}
The '''PowerBook 165''' is a greyscale notebook Macintosh introduced on 16 August 1993 and discontinued on 18 July 1994.<ref name="sp147">Apple, [https://support.apple.com/kb/SP147 "Macintosh PowerBook 165: Technical Specifications"] (retrieved 2026-10-02). 68030 at 33 MHz, no FPU; video mini-15; 17 W, 2 A, 100-240 V; battery type PB1XX NiCd; 4 MB on the logic board, 4-14 MB, cards of 2, 4 and 10 MB, 85 ns; 128K static RAM for the LCD and 512K VRAM for external video; internal LCD 640 × 400 at 4 bits; external video up to 832 × 624 at 8 bits; introduced 8/16/1993, discontinued 7/18/1994; Gestalt ID 84; 6.8 lb; 2.25 × 11.25 × 9.3 in; original system 7.1 with System Enabler 131 v1.0.3; Mac OS 7.1 to 7.6.1; internal hard disk 80-160 MB; ROM 1 MB.</ref> Apple's developer note describes it as a [[PowerBook 160]] running at 33 MHz.<ref name="dn165">Apple Computer, ''Macintosh PowerBook 165 Developer Note'' (Developer Press, 1993), hosted here as [[:File:PowerBook 165 Developer Note (1993).pdf]] (see [[PowerBook 165, 165c and 180c Developer Notes]]). PDF page numbers: features p. 12; compatibility and Gestalt value p. 13; RAM card design guide pp. 14-15.</ref> It shares the 160's case, boards and Service Source; in Apple's exploded view only its daughterboard, display bezel and EMI shield have part numbers different from the 160's.<ref name="ss160">Apple Computer, ''PowerBook 160/165/180 Series'' Service Source, hosted here as [[:File:PowerBook 160, 165 and 180 Service Source.pdf]] (see [[PowerBook 160, 165 and 180 Service Source]]). PDF page numbers: display compatibility matrix p. 4; processor p. 6; memory p. 8; sound and video p. 13; electrical p. 14; video symptom charts pp. 28-37; daughterboard identification pp. 84-86; exploded view p. 169.</ref> Low End Mac gives the code name Dart LC and a launch price of US$1,970.<ref name="lem165">Low End Mac, [https://lowendmac.com/1993/powerbook-165/ "PowerBook 165"] (retrieved 2026-10-02). Code name Dart LC; introduced 1993.08.16 at US$1,970, discontinued 1994.07.18; 9.8-inch 4-bit 640 × 400 passive-matrix display; 80 or 160 MB hard drive; power supply M5651, 19 W, 2 A. Secondary source.</ref>

The colour PowerBook 165c came first, in February 1993.<ref name="sp148" /> Apple introduced it with "a distinctive new exterior design", and its display and display power boards are its own; it shares a Service Source with the 180c, not with the 165.<ref name="dn165c" /><ref name="ss165c" /> It is described in its own section below.

== PowerBook 165 and 165c compared ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%;"
|+ '''PowerBook 165 and 165c'''
! Item !! PowerBook 165 !! PowerBook 165c
|-
| Introduced || 16 August 1993<ref name="sp147" /> || 10 February 1993<ref name="sp148">Apple, [https://support.apple.com/kb/SP148 "Macintosh PowerBook 165c: Technical Specifications"] (retrieved 2026-10-02). 68030 at 33 MHz with 68882 FPU; 24 W, 3.2 A; battery type PB1XX NiCd; 4-14 MB, 85 ns; internal LCD 640 × 400 at 8 bits; introduced 2/10/1993, discontinued 12/1/1993; Gestalt ID 50; 7 lb; 2.29 × 11.25 × 9.3 in; original system 7.1 with System Enabler 121; Mac OS 7.1 to 7.6.1; internal hard disk 80-120 MB.</ref>
|-
| Discontinued || 18 July 1994<ref name="sp147" /> || 1 December 1993<ref name="sp148" />
|-
| FPU || None || 68882 at 33 MHz<ref name="sp147" /><ref name="ss165c" />
|-
| Display || 10 in FSTN, 640 × 400, 16 greys<ref name="ss160" /> || 9 in colour FSTN, 640 × 400, 256 colours<ref name="ss165c">Apple Computer, ''PowerBook 165c/180c'' Service Source, hosted here as [[:File:PowerBook 165c and 180c Service Source.pdf]] (see [[PowerBook 165c and 180c Service Source]]). PDF page numbers: display compatibility matrix p. 4; configurations p. 7; processor p. 8; memory pp. 9-10; sound and video p. 15; electrical p. 16; physical p. 17; power and video symptom charts pp. 27-39; DC/DC converter pp. 70-74.</ref>
|-
| Display parts || Display 661-0745, inverter 922-0025, display cable 922-0820<ref name="ss160" /> || Display 661-0752, inverter 922-0374, display cable 922-0373, inverter cable 922-0566<ref name="ss165c" />
|-
| Power adapter || 17 W<ref name="ss160" /> || 24 W<ref name="ss165c" />
|-
| Weight || 6.8 lb (3.1 kg)<ref name="ss160" /> || 7.0 lb (3.18 kg)<ref name="ss165c" />
|-
| Gestalt ID || 84<ref name="sp147" /> || 50<ref name="sp148" />
|-
| Launch price || US$1,970<ref name="lem165" /> || US$3,400<ref name="lem165c">Low End Mac, [https://lowendmac.com/1993/powerbook-165c/ "PowerBook 165c"] (retrieved 2026-10-02). First colour screen in the PowerBook line and, by Low End Mac's account, the first notebook from any maker with 256 colours on its internal display; battery life about one hour; single-ported DRAM for video in place of the VRAM of the 160 and 180, slowing redraws; code name Monet; introduced 1993.02.10 at US$3,400, discontinued 1993.12.01; 8.9-inch 8-bit 640 × 400 passive-matrix display; power supply M5652, 24 W. Secondary source.</ref>
|}

== PowerBook 165 hardware ==
The 165 differs from the 160 only in its 33 MHz processor. Both use the 16-grey FSTN display 661-0745 with inverter 922-0025 and display cable 922-0820, and the same motherboard, 661-0746.<ref name="ss160" /> To tell the daughterboards apart, look at the underside: a 165 board (661-1016) has resistor R39 fitted and R38 empty, a 160 board the reverse, and a 180 board has an FPU at U27.<ref name="ss160" />

The developer note gives 1 MB of ROM, 4 MB of PSRAM and room for a 10 MB card, 14 MB in all, with cards needing 85 ns or faster RAM.<ref name="dn165" /><ref name="sp147" /> The external video port drives 256 colours on Apple monitors up to 16 inches, in either mirror or dual mode.<ref name="dn165" /> The 165 also supports SCSI disk mode through an HDI-30 SCSI Disk Adapter cable.<ref name="dn165" /> The developer note lists 40, 80 and 120 MB disks; Apple's specification page gives 80-160 MB.<ref name="dn165" /><ref name="sp147" />

On a 165 with a serial number below FC247xxxxxx or CK247xxxxxx, Apple's cure for a row of pixels that never lights includes replacing the daughterboard along with the display.<ref name="ss160" /> The rest of the fault-finding and repair is shared with the 160; see the guides listed below.

== PowerBook 165c ==
[[File:PowerBook 165c on display (Tokumeigakarinoaoshima).jpg|thumb|right|260px|PowerBook 165c (Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, Wikimedia Commons, CC0)]]
The 165c was Apple's first colour PowerBook.<ref name="lem165c" /> Apple's developer note gives it a 33 MHz 68030 and 68882, 4 MB of PSRAM expandable to 14 MB, an 8-bit colour FSTN display of 640 × 400 lit by two cold-cathode lamps, 80 and 120 MB disks, a 2.9 Ah NiCad battery, a 3 V lithium backup battery and "a new 24 W" adapter.<ref name="dn165c">Apple Computer, ''Macintosh PowerBook 165c Developer Note'', hosted here as [[:File:PowerBook 165c Developer Note.pdf]] (see [[PowerBook 165, 165c and 180c Developer Notes]]). PDF page numbers: introduction and features pp. 12-13; block diagram p. 14; compatibility p. 15; colour LCD interface pp. 18-19; LCD screen p. 20; control panel changes p. 24.</ref> The colour circuitry is a Western Digital WD90C26 controller and WD90C55 display driver with Apple's Pangola interface ASIC and 512 KB of DRAM, appearing to software as a NuBus video card in slot $C.<ref name="dn165c" /> The Service Source calls the same 512K "video RAM".<ref name="ss165c" /> Low End Mac says Apple used single-ported DRAM there, where the 160 and 180 have VRAM, and that screen redraws were slower as a result.<ref name="lem165c" />

The 165c's Service Source shares its charts and procedures with the [[PowerBook 180|PowerBook 180c]]. Points that matter for the 165c:<ref name="ss165c" />
* The NiCad battery gives 1.5-2 hours. Low End Mac puts it at about one hour.<ref name="ss165c" /><ref name="lem165c" />
* The machine needs the 24 W adapter. If it will not start with the battery removed or flat, check that the adapter is a 24 W unit before anything else.
* The brightness and contrast controls are on the DC/DC converter board, which carries a shield; see [[PowerBook 180 General Maintenance]].
* A thin white line across the middle, rainbow colours at extreme angles, uneven brightness, and a display that stops working below about 5 °C or above 40 °C and then recovers are all normal on the 165c.
* The PowerBook Display control panel dims the backlight but never turns it fully off.<ref name="dn165c" />

=== 165c display capacitors ===
MacDat lists no electrolytic capacitors on the 165c's logic board. The display has seven 10 µF 63 V low-profile radial electrolytics. The inverter board has two 8.2 µF 80 V electrolytics, for which MacDat substitutes 10 µF 80 V, and one polymer capacitor that rarely fails.<ref name="md165c">MacDat Capacitor Reference Library, [https://macdat.net/repair/cap_reference/apple/powerbook/165c.php "Capacitor Reference - PowerBook 165c"] (retrieved 2026-10-02). No electrolytics on the logic board; LCD seven 10 µF 63 V low-profile radial electrolytic; LCD inverter board two 8.2 µF 80 V low-profile radial electrolytic (10 µF 80 V works) and one polymer of unknown value; trackball one 10 µF 16 V. Secondary source.</ref> The board in MacDat's photograph also carries two slide controls and a label for use with display 661-0752. The procedure is on [[PowerBook 180 Capacitor Replacement Guide]].

[[File:PowerBook 165c inverter board capacitor map (MacDat).jpg|thumb|center|420px|The 165c board with the brightness and contrast sliders, with its two 8.2 µF 80 V capacitors circled (MacDat, image from oldcrap.org)]]

== Capacitors in the 165 ==
The 165 uses the same LCD driver board, inverter and trackball capacitors as the 140, 145 and 160, and none on the logic board.<ref name="md165">MacDat Capacitor Reference Library, [https://macdat.net/repair/cap_reference/apple/powerbook/165.php "Capacitor Reference - PowerBook 165"] (retrieved 2026-10-02). No electrolytics on the logic board; LCD one 100 µF 6 V, one 22 µF 35 V and nine 3.3 µF 35 V surface-mount electrolytics; ceramic replacements have caused contrast drift, so tantalum is recommended; inverter one 47 µF 16 V electrolytic and one 33 µF 10 V polymer that rarely fails; trackball one 10 µF 16 V. Secondary source.</ref>

{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%;"
|+ '''PowerBook 165 capacitors (MacDat)'''
! Board !! Value !! Qty !! Type
|-
| LCD driver board || 100 µF 6 V || 1 || Surface-mount electrolytic
|-
| LCD driver board || 22 µF 35 V || 1 || Surface-mount electrolytic
|-
| LCD driver board || 3.3 µF 35 V || 9 || Surface-mount electrolytic
|-
| Backlight inverter || 47 µF 16 V || 1 || Low-profile radial electrolytic
|-
| Backlight inverter || 33 µF 10 V || 1 || Low-profile radial polymer
|-
| Trackball || 10 µF 16 V || 1 || Radial electrolytic
|}

MacDat advises against ceramic replacements on the LCD board, which have caused contrast drift, and recommends tantalum.<ref name="md165" /> The full procedure is on [[PowerBook 140 Capacitor Replacement Guide]].

== Maintenance and repair ==
For the PowerBook 165:
* [[PowerBook 160 General Maintenance]]
* [[PowerBook 160 Troubleshooting]]
* [[PowerBook 140 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[PowerBook 140 Battery Replacement]]

For the PowerBook 165c:
* [[PowerBook 180 General Maintenance]]
* [[PowerBook 180 Troubleshooting]]
* [[PowerBook 180 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]

== Documentation ==
* [[PowerBook 160, 165 and 180 Service Source]]: the 165
* [[PowerBook 165c and 180c Service Source]]: the 165c
* [[PowerBook 165, 165c and 180c Developer Notes]]
* [[PowerBook 160 Documentation]]: the PowerBook 160 and 180 developer note, which both 165 notes refer back to

== Related pages ==
* [[PowerBook 160]]
* [[PowerBook 180]]
* [[PowerBook 140]]

== References ==
<references />

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[[Category:Apple Vintage Computers]]