Apple Macintosh PowerBook 520c vs Apple Macintosh PowerBook 540c

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

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Macintosh PowerBook 520c compared with Macintosh PowerBook 540c
AppleMacintosh PowerBook 520cAppleMacintosh PowerBook 540c
Overview
ReleasedMay 1994May 1994
Display
Screen size9.5″9.5″
Resolution640 × 480640 × 480
TouchscreenNoNo
Display type9.5-inch backlit dual-scan passive-matrix colour LCD with 256 colours9.5-inch backlit active-matrix colour LCD; 256 colours at 640 × 480 or 32,768 colours at 640 × 400
Performance
ProcessorMotorola 68LC040 50 MHz (PowerBook 520)Motorola 68LC040 66 MHz (PowerBook 540c)
CPU cores11
Memory12 MB12 MB
Storage240 MB to 320 MB320 MB to 500 MB (better)
CPUMotorola 68LC040 with 50 MHz internal processor speed and 25 MHz bus interface; no floating-point unitMotorola 68LC040 running internally at 66 MHz with a 33 MHz bus; 8 KB L1 cache and no floating-point unit
Memory type4 MB on the logic board, expandable to 36 MB; Apple's Japanese bundled configurations contain 12 MB4 MB on the logic board, expandable to 36 MB; Apple's Japanese configurations supplied 12 MB
Storage typeInternal SCSI hard drive and 1.4 MB Apple SuperDrive floppy drive; Japanese configurations pair 12 MB RAM with 240 or 320 MB storage. English support also lists a 160 MB driveInternal SCSI hard drive and 1.4 MB Apple SuperDrive floppy drive; Apple lists 240–500 MB in English support and 320/500 MB Japanese configurations
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 3 hoursUp to 3 hours
Weight2.9 kg (better)3.3 kg
Thickness57 mm57 mm
Width × depth292 × 245 mm292 × 245 mm
Battery life detailNickel-metal hydride intelligent battery; Japanese specification claims three hours per battery, with one supplied and room for two. April 1995 Apple Facts instead gives 2–4 hours on one battery and 4–7 hours on two; 2.9 kg includes one batteryTwo removable nickel-metal hydride intelligent batteries were supplied in Japan; Apple claimed three hours per battery. Published 3.3 kg weight includes both batteries.
Connections
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailADB, RS-422 serial/LocalTalk, AAUI Ethernet, HDI-30 SCSI, stereo audio input/output, external video and power input; optional internal modem and PCMCIA module supporting two Type II or one Type III cardADB, RS-422 serial/LocalTalk, HDI-30 SCSI, AAUI Ethernet, mini-15 video and stereo audio input/output; an optional PCMCIA module supported two Type II or one Type III card
External displaysMirroring and extended desktop through an optional video adapter cableBuilt-in video output supports mirroring or an extended desktop with an optional Apple video adapter cable
TrackpadBuilt-in solid-state trackpadBuilt-in solid-state trackpad in place of a trackball
SpeakersTwo stereo speakers and a built-in microphoneTwo built-in stereo speakers and a microphone
In the boxJapanese 12 MB/240 MB bundle includes one intelligent battery, power adapter, KanjiTalk 7.5 media and PowerBook Mobility Bundle; the 12 MB/320 MB bundle adds Express Modem IIApple's Japanese 12 MB/320 MB configuration included two batteries, power adapter and PowerBook Mobility Bundle software

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