The PB1x0 battery is relatively simple and I'm surprised they still sell them, needless to say make sure it has been made recently, not ten years ago. If they offer a warranty, go for it!
The display on active matrix 170's is subject to "vignetting" due to the CCFL backlighting wearing out over time. It's not as common in passive matrix displays. Have a search around these forums, some have suggested replacing the capacitors on the inverter board can help (albeit this is not confirmed), and/or replacing the backlighting with an LED strip (again, no-one has done it ... yet).
THe PB170 is one of the best 68K laptops made I reckon - they just ooze class with a stylish design, decent performance and (when it works) a great display. Mine did the same vignetting and I ended up finding a junker PB170 which I was able to switch the LCD over to.
JB
The display on active matrix 170's is subject to "vignetting" due to the CCFL backlighting wearing out over time. It's not as common in passive matrix displays. Have a search around these forums, some have suggested replacing the capacitors on the inverter board can help (albeit this is not confirmed), and/or replacing the backlighting with an LED strip (again, no-one has done it ... yet).
THe PB170 is one of the best 68K laptops made I reckon - they just ooze class with a stylish design, decent performance and (when it works) a great display. Mine did the same vignetting and I ended up finding a junker PB170 which I was able to switch the LCD over to.
JB