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Apple Macintosh Portable (Backlit, 1991) vs Apple Macintosh PowerBook 2400c/240

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh Portable (Backlit, 1991)AppleMacintosh PowerBook 2400c/240
Overview
Released1991April 1998
Display
Screen size9.8″10.4″
Resolution640 × 400800 × 600
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeBacklit active-matrix monochrome LCD, 640 × 400 pixels and 1-bit colour; 9.8-inch diagonal from EveryMac. Apple’s 1991 developer note confirms adjustable backlighting through its control panel, keyboard sequences and application software; no LCD subtype or native refresh published10.4-inch active-matrix SVGA colour LCD; 16-bit colour at 800 × 600
Performance
ProcessorMC68HC000 16 MHz (Macintosh Portable)PowerPC 603e 240 MHz (PowerBook 2400c/240)
CPU cores11
Memory2 MB or 4 MB16 MB
Storage40 MB2 GB
CPUCMOS Motorola MC68HC000 at 16 MHz; no floating-point unit, MMU or CPU cache. The 1991 developer note specifies zero-wait-state expansion RAM access and slower timing in idle mode240 MHz PowerPC 603e with 32 KB L1 cache, 256 KB L2 cache and 40 MHz bus
Memory typePseudostatic RAM replaces the original machine’s SRAM; 2 MB or 4 MB retail configurations with 256 KB ROM. Apple’s developer note describes a keyed 50-pin RAM connector with changed pin assignments and expansion to 8 MB with timing qualifications; original cards are not universally interchangeable16 MB on the logic board; one SO-DIMM slot and 80 MB maker-stated maximum
Storage type40 MB internal SCSI hard disk and one 1.44 MB FDHD SuperDrive floppy in the new retail configurations, according to contemporary TidBITS coverage and Apple’s March 1991 service guide. The 40 MB configuration is stored as 40/1024 GB for the site’s MB formatter2 GB internal ATA hard drive; no internal floppy or CD-ROM drive
Connections
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailOne ADB port, external floppy port, DB-25 SCSI, two RS-232/RS-422 serial ports, stereo sound output, power connector and video output. Apple’s guide also lists optional ROM, RAM and 2400 bit/s modem expansion and a 96-pin processor-direct slot; no Ethernet or USBADB, HDI-30 SCSI, HDI-15 video, infrared and two Type II PC Card slots or one Type III slot; no built-in Ethernet
Speakers–Built-in speaker; 16-bit stereo audio input/output
KeyboardBuilt-in Macintosh-layout keyboard and 1.3-inch trackball; 18-key numeric keypad can replace the trackball. The keyboard and trackball can be arranged for left-handed use–
TrackpadBuilt-in trackball; no trackpad–
In the boxExact first-sale day and month unconfirmed. Apple announced order availability on 11 February 1991, according to that day’s TidBITS; July recall coverage says certain adapters began shipping with the backlit model in March. Apple’s June 1991 support article confirms the control panel shipped with new computers, establishing retail delivery during 1991. The announcement is not used as a first-delivery date–
Battery and size
Battery capacity–29 Wh
Weight–2 kg
Battery life detailLead-acid main battery. Contemporary TidBITS coverage gives 3–6 hours with backlighting, not a fixed maker runtime; no headline runtime inferred. Apple’s combined original/backlit support table lists 15.8 lb and closed dimensions of 4.05 × 15.25 × 14.83 inches (height × width × depth); exact revised-model metric figures were not established29 Wh lithium-ion battery
ChargerApple’s March 1991 service guide gives 85–270 V AC, 48–62 Hz and 15 W maximum, while its later combined support table gives 70–270 V and a 5 W figure; these are not treated as interchangeable claims–

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