Apple Macintosh PowerBook 170 (1991)

Apple Macintosh PowerBook 170 

🥇One of Apple's First Commercially-Successful Laptops 

The Apple PowerBook 170, released in October 1991 for a staggering $4,599 (roughly $10,500 in 2026 dollars), was the high-end powerhouse of the original PowerBook trio that saved Apple’s mobile reputation after the bulky Macintosh Portable. While the lower-end Model 100 was a recycled design, the 170 was a "no-compromise" flagship featuring a 25MHz Motorola 68030 processor, a math co-processor (FPU), and a stunning 10-inch active-matrix monochrome display that put the "ghosting" passive-matrix screens of its rivals to shame. Despite its premium status, the 170 is notorious among 2026 collectors for "Tunnel Vision"—a defect where moisture ingress causes the edges of the LCD to turn pitch black after a few minutes of use—and brittle plastics that cause internal screw mounts to shatter like glass. Today, a working unit in good cosmetic condition is a centerpiece of any Macintosh collection, typically valued between $250 and $500, though enthusiasts now resort to "baking" the LCD panels in ovens at precise temperatures to temporarily drive out the moisture and restore the screen’s clarity.

Source: eBay Auction