PowerBook 100 series

Last updated

PowerBook 100 series
Powerbook 150.jpg
The PowerBook 150, the second last model of the series
Developer Apple Computer
Manufacturer Apple Computer
Product family PowerBook
Type Laptop
Generation Macintosh PowerBook
Release dateOctober 1991;31 years ago (1991-10)
Lifespan4.9 years
DiscontinuedSeptember 1, 1996 (1996-09-01)
Operating system System 6, System 7, Mac OS 8
CPU Motorola 68000, Motorola 68030, Motorola 68LC040
Memory2–40 MB
Storage20–500 MB
Controller inputTrackball
CameraNone
TouchpadNone
Platform Macintosh
Mass5.1–7.0 lb.
Predecessor Macintosh Portable
Successor PowerBook 500 series

The PowerBook 100 series is a line of laptop PCs produced by Apple Computer.

Contents

In October 1991, Apple released the first three PowerBooks: the low-end PowerBook 100, the more powerful PowerBook 140, and the high-end PowerBook 170, the only one with an active matrix display.

These machines caused a stir in the industry with their compact dark grey cases, use of a trackball, and the clever positioning of the keyboard which left room for palmrests on either side of the pointing device. Portable PC computers at the time tended to have the keyboard forward towards the user, with empty space behind it, so this was a surprising innovation and set the standard layout all future notebook computers would follow.

The PowerBook 140 and 170 were designed first. The 100 benefited from their development and by components miniaturized by Sony after Apple sent them schematics of the Mac Portable. The 100, however, did not sell well until Apple dropped the price substantially.

The 100 and 200 series PowerBooks were intended to tie into the rest of the Apple desktop products using the corporate Snow White design language incorporated into all product designs since 1986. However, unlike the Macintosh Portable which was essentially a battery-powered desktop in weight and size, the light colors and decorative recessed lines did not seem appropriate for the scaled-down designs. In addition to adopting the darker-gray color scheme which co-ordinated with the official corporate look, they also adopted a raised series of ridges mimicking the indented lines on the desktops. The innovative look not only unified their entire product line, but set Apple apart in the marketplace and had the added benefit of masking fingerprints while the ridges provided added traction with which to grip the PowerBook. These early series would be the last to use the aging Snow White look; a new look was debuted on the 190 and the 500 series. [1]

The first series of PowerBooks were hugely successful, capturing 40% of all laptop sales. But several factors hampered Apple's efforts to introduce newer models and keep ahead of competitors. One was the departure of the original PowerBook team to work at Compaq. [2] [ failed verification ] Another was that Apple's plans to move on from the 68000 and 68030 CPUs were thwarted by overheating problems with the 68040. The 100-series PowerBook were stuck with chips that could not compete with Intel 80486-based PC laptops introduced in 1994. For several years, new PowerBook and PowerBook Duo computers were introduced which featured incremental improvements, including color screens, but by mid-decade, most other companies had copied the majority of the PowerBook's features, and Apple was unable to regain their lead.

The original PowerBook 100, 140, and 170 were replaced by the 145 (updated to the 145B in 1993), 160, and 180 in 1992, with the 160 and 180 having video output allowing them to drive an external monitor. The PowerBook 180 had a superb-for-the-time active-matrix grayscale display, making it popular. In 1993, the PowerBook 165c was the first PowerBook with a color screen, later followed by the 180c. In 1994, the last true member of the 100-series form factor introduced was the PowerBook 150, targeted at value-minded consumers and students.

The PowerBook 190, released in 1995, bears no resemblance to the rest of the PowerBook 100 series, and is in fact simply a Motorola 68LC040-based version of the PowerBook 5300, and the last PowerBook model to be manufactured using a Motorola 68k-family processor). However, like the 190, the 150 also used the 5300 IDE-based logic-board architecture. From the 100's 68000 processor, to the 190's 68LC040 processor, the 100 series PowerBooks span the entire Apple 68K line, with the 190 even upgradable to a PowerPC processor. The PowerBook Duo spanned the 68030 line of processors and sold through the PowerPC transition to the PowerPC 603e processor with the 2300, also based on the 5300's internal architecture.

In February 2005, Mobile PC magazine named the PowerBook 100 its choice as the "#1 gadget of all time." [3]

Technical specifications

Listed chronologically, by release date

Models PowerBook 100 [4] PowerBook 140 [5] [6] PowerBook 170 [7] PowerBook 145 [8] [9] PowerBook 160 [10] PowerBook 180 [11] [12] PowerBook 165c [13] PowerBook 145B [14] [15] PowerBook 180c [16] [17] PowerBook 165 [18] PowerBook 150 [19] PowerBook 190 [20] [21] PowerBook 190cs [22] [23]
TimetableIntroducedOctober 21, 1991August 3, 1992October 19, 1992February 10, 1993June 7, 1993August 16, 1993July 18, 1994August 28, 1995
DiscontinuedSeptember 3, 1992August 3, 1992October 19, 1992June 7, 1993August 16, 1993May 16, 1994December 13, 1993July 18, 1994March 14, 1994July 18, 1994October 14, 1995April 1, 1996September 1, 1996
Ordering info.Gestalt ID24252125/54343350547184115122
Order numberM0567M0511M1057M4630M4500M4400M4900M1592M7950M1641M2794M3530M4073
ModelM1506M5416M5409M5409M4550M4400—M5409M7940M4440M2740M3047M3047
PerformanceProcessor Motorola 68000 Motorola 68030 Motorola 68LC040
Processor speed16  MHz 25  MHz 33 MHz25 MHz33 MHz33 MHz ("66 MHz")
FPU No Motorola 68882 No Motorola 68882 No Motorola 68882 No
ROM 256 KB1 MB2 MB
RAM 2  MB, expandable to 8 MB4 MB, expandable to 8 MB2 MB, expandable to 8 MB4 MB, expandable to 14 MB4 MB, expandable to 8 MB4 MB, expandable to 14 MB4 MB, expandable to 36 MB4 MB, expandable to 40 MB
StorageHard drive20–40  MB SCSI 40–80 MB SCSI 80–160 MB SCSI 40–120 MB SCSI 80–120 MB SCSI 80–160 MB SCSI 80–120  MB SCSI 80–160 MB SCSI 120–250  MB IDE 500 MB IDE
Floppy driveNone1.44 MB Superdrive1.44 MB removable module
DisplaySize9-inch (23 cm)9.8-inch (25 cm)8.9-inch (23 cm)9.8-inch (25 cm)8.4-inch (21 cm)9.8-inch (25 cm)9.5-inch (24 cm)10.4-inch (26 cm)
Colors1-bit Monochrome 4-bit Grayscale (16 grays)8-bit color (256 colors)1-bit Monochrome 8-bit color (256 colors)4-bit Grayscale (16 grays)8-bit color (256 colors)
Method Passive matrix (FSTN) [24] LCD (backlit) Passive matrix Active matrix Passive matrix Active matrix Passive matrix Active matrix Passive matrix Passive matrix/dual-scan
Resolution640 × 400640 x 480640 x 400640 × 480
DimensionsH × W × D1.8 in (4.57 cm) × 11 in (27.94 cm) × 8.5 in (21.59 cm)2.25 in (5.72 cm) x 11.25 in (28.58 cm) x 9.3 in (23.62 cm)2.0 in (5.08 cm) x 11.5 in (29.21 cm) x 8.5 in (21.59 cm)
Weight5.1 lb (2.31 kg)6.8 lb (3.08 kg)7.0 lb (3.18 kg)6.8 lb (3.08 kg)6.0 lb (2.72 kg)6.3 lb (2.86 kg)
Operating systemsOriginal System 6.0.8 System 7.0.1 System 7.1 System 7.5.2
Maximum System 7.5.5 System 7.6.1 System 7.5.5 System 7.6.1 System 7.5.5 System 7.6.1 System 7.5.5 System 7.6.1 Mac OS 8.1

Timeline

Timeline of all portable Macintoshes
Mac transition to Apple siliconiMac ProApple WatchiPadiPhoneMac ProPower Mac G5Power Mac G4Power Macintosh G3Power MacintoshCompact MacintoshMacBook Pro (Apple silicon)#5th generation (M1 Pro and M1 Max)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)#5th generation (M1 Pro and M1 Max)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)#Magic Keyboard revisionMacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)#Fourth generation (Touch Bar), 2016–2020MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)#4th generation (13-inch, M1, 2020)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)#Third generation (Retina), 2012–2016MacBook Pro (Intel-based)#Third generation (Retina), 2012–2016MacBook Pro (Intel-based)#Fourth generation (Touch Bar), 2016–2020MacBook Pro (Intel-based)#Second generation (Unibody), 2008–2012MacBook Pro (Intel-based)#Second generation (Unibody), 2008–2012MacBook Pro (Intel-based)#Second generation (Unibody), 2008–2012MacBook Pro (Intel-based)#First generation (Aluminum), 2006–2008MacBook Pro (Intel-based)#First generation (Aluminum), 2006–2008iBook G4PowerBook G4#Aluminum PowerBook G4PowerBook G4#Aluminum PowerBook G4iBook (white)PowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook 2400cPowerBook 3400cPowerBook 1400PowerBook 5300PowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 190TiBookPowerBook 150PowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 165PowerBook 145BPowerBook 180cPowerBook 180PowerBook 165cPowerBook 160PowerBook 145PowerBook 170PowerBook 140MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Intel-based)#3rd generation (Retina)MacBook (2015–2019)MacBook Air (Intel-based)#2nd generation (Tapered Unibody)MacBook (2006–2012)#2nd generation: Polycarbonate UnibodyMacBook (2006–2012)#Aluminum UnibodyMacBook Air (Intel-based)#1st generation (Unibody)MacBook (2006–2012)#1st generation: PolycarbonatePowerBook G4#Aluminum PowerBook G4PowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook Duo 2300cPowerBook Duo 280cPowerBook Duo 280PowerBook Duo 270cPowerBook Duo 250PowerBook Duo 230MacBook Air (Intel-based)#2nd generation (Tapered Unibody)iBook G4iBook (white)PowerBook DuoiBook ClamshellMacintosh PortablePowerBook 100Macintosh PortablePowerBook 100 series
See also: Timeline of Macintosh models

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PowerBook</span> Series of Apple laptops based on PowerPC and Motorola 68000

The PowerBook is a family of Macintosh laptop computers designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from 1991 to 2006. During its lifetime, the PowerBook went through several major revisions and redesigns, often being the first to incorporate features that would later become standard in competing laptops. The PowerBook line was targeted at the professional market. In 1999, the line was supplemented by the home and education-focused iBook family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macintosh LC family</span> Family of lower-cost Macintosh computers by Apple, Inc.

The Macintosh LC is a family of personal computers designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer, Inc. from 1990 to 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PowerBook Duo</span> Line of subnotebooks manufactured and sold by Apple Computer

The PowerBook Duo is a line of subnotebooks manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from 1992 until 1997 as a more compact companion to the PowerBook line. Improving upon the PowerBook 100's portability, the Duo came in seven different models. They were the Duo 210, 230, 250, 270c, 280, 280c, and 2300c, with the 210 and 230 being the earliest, and the 2300c being the final incarnation before the entire line was dropped in early 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Processor Direct Slot</span>

A processor direct slot (PDS) is a slot incorporated into many older Macintosh models that allowed direct access to the signal pins of a CPU, similar to the functionality of a local bus in PCs. This would result in much higher speeds than having to go through a bus layer, such as NuBus, which typically ran at a slower 10 MHz speed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power Macintosh 6100</span> First computer from Apple to use the PowerPC processor

The Power Macintosh 6100 is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from March 1994 to March 1996. It is the first computer from Apple to use the new PowerPC processor created by IBM and Motorola. The low-profile ("pizza-box") case was inherited from the Centris/Quadra 610 and 660AV models, and replaced the Macintosh Quadra series that used the Motorola 68040 processor, Apple's previous high-end workstation line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PowerBook 500 series</span> Range of Apple Macintosh PowerBook portable computers

The PowerBook 500 series is a range of Apple Macintosh PowerBook portable computers first introduced by Apple Computer with the 540c model on May 16, 1994. It was the first to have stereo speakers, a trackpad, and Ethernet networking built-in.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PowerBook 3400c</span> Laptop by Apple

The PowerBook 3400c is a laptop computer in the PowerBook line manufactured by Apple Computer from February to November 1997. It was, briefly, the fastest laptop in the world. Using the PowerPC 603e processor running at speeds of up to 240 MHz, this PowerBook was the first to feature a PCI architecture, EDO memory, and a 64-bit wide, 40 MHz internal bus. It was also the first PowerBook to feature a PC card slot capable of being used as a zoomed video port. Like all Apple laptops since the PowerBook 500 series, it featured a built-in trackpad as the pointing device.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PowerBook 5300</span>

The PowerBook 5300 is the first generation of PowerBook laptops manufactured by Apple Computer to use the PowerPC processor. Released in August 1995, these PowerBooks were notable for being the first to feature hot-swappable expansion modules for a variety of different units such as Zip drives; PC card slots as standard; and an infrared communication port. In common with most preceding Macintosh portables, SCSI, Serial, and ADB ports were included as standard. An internal expansion slot was also available for installing a variety of modules including Ethernet and video cards to drive a second monitor in mirroring or dual-screen modes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power Macintosh 9500</span> Personal computer by Apple Computer

The Power Macintosh 9500 is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from June 1995 to February 1997. It is powered by a PowerPC 604 processor, a second-generation PowerPC chip which is faster than the PowerPC 601 chip used in the Power Macintosh 8100. The 180MP and 200 MHz models, introduced August 1996, use the enhanced PowerPC 604e processor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power Macintosh 6200</span> Series of personal computers by Apple Computer

The Power Macintosh 6200 is a series of personal computers designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Computer from May 1995 to July 1997. The 6200 is the PowerPC-based replacement for the Quadra 630, with the same form factor and price range. In early 1997, the rather different Power Macintosh 6300/160 / Performa 6360 based on the Power Macintosh 6400 was introduced. The whole line was discontinued when the desktop model of the Power Macintosh G3 was released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power Macintosh 7300</span> Personal computer by Apple Computer

The Power Macintosh 7300 is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from February 1997 to November 1997. It was introduced with 166, 180 and 200 MHz CPUs in February 1997 alongside the Power Macintosh 8600 and 9600. The 7300 replaced both the Power Macintosh 7200 and 7600, replacing the only remaining first-generation PowerPC system in Apple's lineup. MacUser Magazine's review says the 7300 "offers the most satisfying improvement" of the new machines introduced in early 1997 due to a significant performance jump from its predecessors, as well as offering 50% faster CD-ROM and hard disk space. The 7300 was replaced by the Power Macintosh G3 desktop model in November 1997. Workgroup Server 7350 continued to be sold until March 1998 when the Macintosh Server G3 was introduced.

The Macintosh LC 500 series is a series of personal computers that were a part of Apple Computer's Macintosh LC family of Macintosh computers, designed as a successor to the compact Macintosh family of computers for the mid-1990s mainstream education-market. The all-in-one desktop case is similar to the then recently introduced Macintosh Color Classic, but the LC 500 series is considerably larger and heavier due to its larger screen and a bulging midsection to house the larger electronics, including a 14" CRT display, CD-ROM drive, and stereo speakers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PowerBook 1400</span>

The PowerBook 1400 is a notebook computer that was designed and sold by Apple Computer, Inc. from 1996 to 1998 as part of their PowerBook series of Macintosh computers. Introduced in October 1996 at a starting price of $2,499, it was the first new PowerBook after the controversial PowerBook 5300. After the introduction of the more powerful PowerBook 3400c in February 1997, the 1400 took on the role of Apple's entry level notebook and remained there until its discontinuation in May 1998. Its successor, the PowerBook G3 Series, would ultimately go on to replace and consolidate not only the 1400, but the 2400c and 3400c as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PowerBook 100</span> Laptop by Apple

The PowerBook 100 is a portable subnotebook personal computer designed and manufactured by Sony for Apple Computer and introduced on October 21, 1991, at the COMDEX computer expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Priced at US$2,500 with external floppy drive, the PowerBook 100 was the low-end model of the first three simultaneously released PowerBooks. Its CPU and overall speed closely resembled those of its predecessor, the Macintosh Portable. It had a Motorola 68000 processor at 16 MHz, 2-8 megabytes (MB) of RAM, a 9-inch (23 cm) monochrome backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) with 640 × 400 pixel resolution, and the System 7.0.1 operating system. It did not have a built-in floppy disk drive and was noted for its unique compact design that placed a trackball pointing device in front of the keyboard for ease of use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PowerBook 180</span> Laptop by Apple Computer

The PowerBook 180 is a portable computer released by Apple Computer along with the PowerBook 160 in October 1992. At the time, it constituted the new top-of-the-range model, replacing the previous PowerBook 170. Its case design and features are the same as that of the 170, but it shipped with the more powerful 33 MHz Motorola 68030 CPU and Motorola 68882 FPU. Along with the 160, it introduced a new power-saving feature which allowed the processor to run at a slower 16 MHz rate, the same speed as the original 140.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PowerBook 140</span> Laptop by Apple

The PowerBook 140 was released in the first line of PowerBooks. It was the mid-range PowerBook, between the low-end 100 and the high-end 170. As with the PowerBook 170, and unlike the 100, this PowerBook featured an internal floppy drive. Codenames for this model are: Tim Lite, Tim LC, Replacements, and Leary. In 1992, it was replaced by the PowerBook 145, which was essentially a speed bump, though the PowerBook 160 essentially superseded it as the new mid-line model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PowerBook 160</span> Laptop by Apple

The PowerBook 160 is a portable computer that was released by Apple Computer along with the PowerBook 180 on October 19, 1992 and the PowerBook 165 variants were released the following year. At the time, it constituted the mid-range model replacing the previous PowerBook 140 in processing power. The PowerBook 160 was sold until August 16, 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PowerBook 150</span> Laptop by Apple Computer

The PowerBook 150 is a laptop personal computer created by Apple Computer which was introduced on July 13, 1994, and released on July 18, 1994. It was the last member of the PowerBook 100 series to use the original case design, the most affordable of the series when introduced and also the last consumer model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power Macintosh 6400</span> Personal computer by Apple Computer

The Power Macintosh 6400 is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from August 1996 to August 1997. It is the only Macintosh mini-tower system to be branded as a Performa, and alongside the Performa 6360 was the last new Performa-branded model introduced by Apple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Macintosh</span> Family of personal computers made by Apple between 1984 and 1998

Macintosh refers to a family of personal computers produced by Apple between 1984 and 1997. The Macintosh's "design elegance, technological innovations, and delightful user experience' was integral in Apple becoming one of the world's most valuable brands.

References

  1. ↑ "Kunkel, Paul, AppleDesign: The work of the Apple Industrial Design Group, with photographs by Rick English, New York: Graphis, 1997, p.30
  2. ↑ "Birth of the Powerbook". Low End Mac. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  3. ↑ Chaffin, Bryan (February 22, 2005). "Mobile PC: PowerBook 100 #1 Gadget of All Time; iPod #12". The Mac Observer. Archived from the original on June 3, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2006.
  4. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 100 Specs". Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  5. ↑ Macintosh PowerBook 140: Technical Specifications, archived from the original on August 20, 2012, retrieved July 23, 2022
  6. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 140 Specs". Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 170 Specs". Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  8. ↑ Macintosh PowerBook 145: Technical Specifications, archived from the original on July 23, 2022, retrieved July 23, 2022
  9. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 145 Specs". Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 160 Specs". Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  11. ↑ Macintosh PowerBook 180: Technical Specifications, archived from the original on July 23, 2022, retrieved July 23, 2022
  12. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 180 Specs". Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 165c Specs". Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  14. ↑ Macintosh PowerBook 145B: Technical Specifications, archived from the original on July 23, 2022, retrieved July 23, 2022
  15. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 145b Specs". Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  16. ↑ Macintosh PowerBook 180c: Technical Specifications, archived from the original on July 23, 2022, retrieved July 23, 2022
  17. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 180c Specs". Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 165 Specs". Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 150 Specs". Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  20. ↑ Macintosh PowerBook 190: Technical Specifications, archived from the original on July 23, 2022, retrieved July 23, 2022
  21. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 190 Specs". Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  22. ↑ Macintosh PowerBook 190cs: Technical Specifications, archived from the original on July 23, 2022, retrieved July 23, 2022
  23. ↑ "Apple PowerBook 190cs Specs". Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  24. ↑ Macintosh PowerBook 100 Developer Note (PDF), Apple, Inc. (Developer Technical Publications), 1991, archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2004, retrieved May 10, 2008
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.