Apple Macintosh PowerBook 100 vs Apple Macintosh PowerBook Duo 270c
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleMacintosh PowerBook 100 | AppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 270c | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 1991 | 1993 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 9″ | 8.4″ |
| Resolution | 640 × 400 | 640 × 480 (better) |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Display type | 9-inch backlit FSTN monochrome LCD, 640 × 400 pixels at 1-bit colour (Apple service guide). | Backlit active-matrix TFT colour LCD; 256 colours at 640 × 480 or thousands at 640 × 400. Apple's exact-model product description gives 8.4 inches; the later service table labels this model 9 inches |
| Screen finish | – | Antiglare polariser |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | 68000 16 MHz (PowerBook 100) | Motorola 68030 33 MHz |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Memory | 2 MB | 4 MB or 12 MB (better) |
| Storage | 20 MB to 40 MB | 240 MB (better) |
| CPU | 16 MHz Motorola 68000; no FPU or processor cache. | Motorola 68030 at 33 MHz with an integrated memory-management unit and a separate Motorola 68882 maths coprocessor at 33 MHz |
| GPU | – | Colour Screen Controller with video RAM; selecting thousands of colours centres a 640 × 400 image with black bands above and below |
| Memory type | 2 MB on the logic board and one expansion slot; 8 MB maximum. | 4 MB soldered on the logic board, with one Duo expansion-card slot; maximum 32 MB. Apple memory kits expand to 8 or 12 MB; larger capacities require third-party cards |
| Storage type | 20 MB or 40 MB internal SCSI hard drive; no built-in floppy drive. The HDI-20 port accepts an external floppy drive. | Internal 240 MB SCSI hard drive in the two configurations listed in Apple's product description. The developer note also describes a 160 MB option, without an ordering configuration. External 1.4 MB floppy drive requires a Duo Floppy Adapter or Duo MiniDock |
| Battery and size | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 4 hours | Up to 4 hours |
| Weight | 2.3 kg | 2.1 kg (better) |
| Thickness | – | 38 mm |
| Width × depth | – | 277 × 216 mm |
| Battery life detail | Sealed lead-acid battery; Apple claimed 2–4 hours of use before recharging. | Removable Type II nickel-metal hydride battery. Apple's product description claims 2–4 hours; the developer note claims 4.5 hours, while the later service manual gives approximately 2–3 hours. Service weight is 2.1 kg with a battery; its paired 4.8 lb figure is inconsistent. Dimensions are rounded from Apple's 10.9 × 8.5 × 1.5 inch support table; the service manual swaps width/depth and pairs 1.5 inches with 36 mm |
| Charger | – | AC adapter supplied; service manual gives a 24 V DC, 1.04 A output |
| Connections | ||
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Port detail | One Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port, HDI-20 external floppy connector, HDI-30 SCSI connector, printer serial port and speaker output. No built-in Ethernet or video output. | 152-pin docking connector, RS-422 serial/LocalTalk mini-DIN-8 port, power input and optional internal Express Modem. Additional video, SCSI and floppy connections require docking accessories |
| External displays | – | Optional PowerBook Duo Dock or Duo MiniDock provides external video and desktop peripheral expansion |
| Keyboard | – | Built-in keyboard with two-level tilt adjustment; 63 keys on the domestic version or 64 on the ISO version |
| Trackpad | Built-in trackball. | 19 mm trackball with two buttons |
| Speakers | – | Four-voice, 8-bit monophonic sound input and output at 11 or 22 kHz |
| Microphones | – | Built-in omnidirectional electret microphone; the support summary's Mic Type none does not describe the built-in microphone documented in the developer and service manuals |
| In the box | Original system software was System 7.0.1. Apple dates the model's introduction to 21 October 1991; its technical sheet does not state a separate first-sale day. | Computer, battery, AC adapter, System 7.1 software and documentation; desktop docks sold separately. Apple lists introduction on 21 October 1993. The Mac December 1993 buying guide lists the model in the current retail range with a UK basic price; no exact first-sale month is established, so release precision remains the year |
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