Apple Macintosh PowerBook 1400c/117 vs Apple Macintosh PowerBook 1400cs/166
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleMacintosh PowerBook 1400c/117 | AppleMacintosh PowerBook 1400cs/166 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | November 1996 | 1997 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 11.3″ | 11.3″ |
| Resolution | 800 × 600 | 800 × 600 |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Display type | 11.3-inch CCFL-backlit active-matrix TFT colour LCD with 800 × 600 resolution. Apple lists 16-bit colour in its service sheet. | 11.3-inch 800 × 600 dual-scan passive-matrix FSTN LCD with 16-bit colour. Apple's family video table identifies cs displays as FSTN, and NotebookBlog confirms the exact 166 MHz sample's passive screen; the later Service Source cs/166 configuration entry instead says active matrix, conflicting with those sources |
| Display features | – | Interchangeable BookCover inserts personalise the lid according to Apple Facts |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC 603e 117 MHz (PowerBook 1400) | PowerPC 603e 166 MHz (PowerBook 1400c/166) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Memory | 16 MB | 16 MB |
| Storage | 1 GB | 1.3 GB (better) |
| CPU | 117 MHz PowerPC 603e on a 33.3 MHz bus; 32 KB L1 cache and no L2 cache in the original service configuration. | 166 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated PMMU and FPU, 64-bit data path at 33.3 MHz and 32 KB L1 cache. Support and Apple Facts January 1998 specify 128 KB L2; Service Source's cs/166 entry instead says 256 KB |
| GPU | – | 1 MB video memory according to the maker family service specification; external video requires an optional card |
| Memory type | 16 MB RAM in Apple's original 1996 developer-note configuration, expandable to 64 MB. Apple's later service sheet lists a 32 MB minimum, conflicting with the original developer note. | 16 MB original RAM, expandable to 64 MB using 70 ns or faster cards; up to two memory cards can be stacked |
| Storage type | 1 GB internal 2.5-inch IDE hard drive in Apple's original developer note. The expansion bay took a 1.4 MB floppy module or a 6× CD-ROM module, both supplied with this configuration. | Internal ATA hard drive; exact support sheet lists a 1.3 GB minimum and 12× original CD-ROM. Service Source instead lists a 16 MB/2 GB/CD configuration alongside its conflicting display/cache entries. The 1.3 GB configuration is corroborated by NotebookBlog's exact-model sample |
| Battery and size | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 5 hours | Up to 4 hours |
| Battery capacity | 30 Wh | 30 Wh |
| Weight | – | 3 kg |
| Battery life detail | 30 Wh removable nickel-metal hydride battery; Apple claimed up to five hours. Its service sheet lists 6.6 lb weight with a note that installed modules affect it. | Removable 30 Wh nickel-metal hydride battery; Apple Facts claims two to four hours depending on usage and configuration. It gives PowerBook 1400cs weight as 3.0 kg with floppy module or 3.15 kg with CD-ROM; exact cs/166 support instead lists 6.6 lb with accessory-dependent weight. Support's six-inch height conflicts with Apple Facts' two inches; metric thickness and depth remain omitted because maker conversions also disagree |
| Charger | – | External 45 W power adapter according to Apple |
| Connections | ||
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Port detail | ADB, HDI-30 SCSI, RS-422 serial/LocalTalk, audio input and output, infrared, and two Type II PC Card slots (or one Type III). Ethernet required an optional expansion or PC Card; external video required an optional mini-15 card. | ADB, HDI-30 SCSI, RS-422 serial/LocalTalk, stereo sound input and output, infrared and two Type I/II PC Card slots or one Type III. Ethernet and mini-15 external video require optional expansion cards |
| Keyboard | – | Built-in keyboard with twelve function keys according to the service specification |
| Trackpad | Built-in trackpad with tap, double-tap and drag support. | Built-in solid-state trackpad according to the service specification |
| Speakers | – | Built-in speaker; 16-bit stereo audio input and output according to Apple Facts |
| Microphones | – | Built-in omnidirectional microphone according to the service specification |
| In the box | System 7.5.3, battery, floppy module and 6× CD-ROM module. Apple lists an October 1996 introduction; contemporary launch coverage says machines were expected in mid-November. | Apple support lists Mac OS 8.0, a 1.44 MB floppy drive and original 12× CD-ROM speed. Support dates introduction to 15 October 1997, Service Source labels the configuration November, and NotebookBlog places its market arrival at the end of 1997; no precise worldwide first-sale date is confirmed |
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