Apple Macintosh PowerBook 140 vs Apple Macintosh PowerBook 170

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Macintosh PowerBook 140 compared with Macintosh PowerBook 170
AppleMacintosh PowerBook 140AppleMacintosh PowerBook 170
Overview
ReleasedOctober 1991October 1991
Display
Screen size10″10″
Resolution640 × 400640 × 400
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type10-inch backlit FSTN monochrome LCD, 640 × 400 pixels at 1-bit colour. Apple's 1991 product information rounds the diagonal to 10 inches; some later catalogues call it 9.8 inches.10-inch backlit active-matrix monochrome LCD, 640 × 400 pixels at 1-bit colour. Apple's 1991 product information rounds the diagonal to 10 inches; some later catalogues call it 9.8 inches.
Performance
Processor68030 16 MHz (PowerBook 140)68030 25 MHz (PowerBook 170)
CPU cores11
Memory2 MB or 4 MB4 MB
Storage20 MB to 40 MB40 MB
CPU16 MHz Motorola 68030 with an integrated memory-management unit and no floating-point coprocessor.25 MHz Motorola 68030 and 25 MHz Motorola 68882 floating-point coprocessor; a Power Saver mode could run the processor at 16 MHz on battery.
Memory type2 MB pseudostatic RAM on the logic board and one expansion slot; 8 MB maximum.4 MB original configuration, comprising 2 MB on the logic board and a 2 MB expansion card; 8 MB maximum. Apple's later support sheet lists 2 MB as the minimum across its service configurations.
Storage typeOriginal 20 MB and 40 MB internal SCSI hard-drive configurations; built-in 1.4 MB SuperDrive floppy drive. Apple's later support sheet lists 40–80 MB internal drives.Original 40 MB internal SCSI hard drive with a built-in 1.4 MB SuperDrive floppy drive. Apple's later support sheet lists 40–80 MB drives.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 3 hoursUp to 3 hours
Weight3.03 kg3.03 kg
Battery life detailRemovable nickel-cadmium battery; Apple claimed 2–3 hours of use before recharging.Removable nickel-cadmium battery; Apple claimed 2–3 hours of use, with about 30 minutes more in its 16 MHz Power Saver mode.
Connections
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailOne Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port, HDI-30 SCSI connector, two RS-422 serial ports, mono audio input and stereo output. An internal 2400-baud fax modem was optional.One Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port, HDI-30 SCSI connector, two RS-422 serial ports, mono audio input and stereo output. A 2400-baud internal modem was standard.
KeyboardBuilt-in keyboard with a centred 30 mm trackball below the keys.Built-in keyboard with a centred 30 mm trackball below the keys.
TrackpadBuilt-in trackball.Built-in trackball.
In the boxSystem 7.0.1, battery and AC adapter. Apple dates the model's introduction to 21 October 1991; the technical sheet does not state a separate first-sale day.System 7.0.1, battery and AC adapter. Apple dates the model's introduction to 21 October 1991; the technical sheet does not state a separate first-sale day.

More comparisons