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Apple Macintosh PowerBook Duo 250 vs Apple Macintosh PowerBook Duo 280

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 250AppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 280
Overview
Released19931994
Display
Screen size9″9″
Resolution640 × 400640 × 400
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeBacklit active-matrix LCD with 16 grey levels. Apple's product description and technical table specify a 9-inch diagonal; the developer note gives a 192 × 120 mm active pixel areaBacklit active-matrix TFT LCD with 16 grey levels; 640 × 400 pixels. The developer note specifies a CCFL backlight and 512 KB video memory
Performance
ProcessorMotorola 68030 33 MHz (PowerBook 165)Motorola 68LC040 66 MHz (PowerBook 540c)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB or 12 MB4 MB or 12 MB
Storage200 MB240 MB
CPUMotorola 68030 at 33 MHz, with integrated memory-management unit; no built-in floating-point coprocessor. An optional dock provides a maths coprocessorMotorola 68LC040 with integrated memory-management unit, 66 MHz internal clock and 33 MHz external bus. No FPU upgrade; the Duo Dock and Dock II floating-point coprocessors and Dock II external cache cannot be used by this processor
Memory type4 MB on the logic board and one Duo expansion-card slot; maximum 24 MB. Apple kits expand to 8 or 12 MB; larger capacities require third-party cards4 MB on the logic board and one Duo memory-card slot; maximum 40 MB. An 8 MB expansion card gives the 12 MB configuration; higher capacities require third-party cards
Storage typeInternal 200 MB SCSI drive in Apple's 4/200 and 12/200 ordering configurations. The developer note mentions a 120 MB option without an ordering configuration. External floppy drive requires a Duo Floppy Adapter or MiniDockInternal 240 MB SCSI hard drive. The developer note also lists 200 MB configurations, whereas Apple's support summary specifies a minimum of 240 MB and the October 1994 catalogue lists 240 MB. Optional external SuperDrive floppy needs docking accessories
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 6 hoursUp to 4 hours
Weight1.9 kg1.9 kg
Thickness36 mm–
Width × depth277 × 216 mm–
Battery life detailRemovable Type II nickel-metal hydride battery; Apple's technical table claims 2.5–6 hours. Its later developer-note feature list and block diagram contain conflicting battery, colour-display and memory claims; the exact model's technical table controls these specificationsHigh-capacity Type II nickel-metal hydride battery with a maker typical-life claim of 2–4 hours in Apple Facts and Apple Directions. The later support summary lists Type III; the developer note identifies Type III as a separately available replacement
Connections
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailRS-422 serial/LocalTalk, 152-pin docking connector, power input and optional internal fax/data modem. External video, SCSI and floppy connections require docking accessoriesMini-DIN eight-pin serial/LocalTalk, 152-pin docking connector, power input and optional modem port. Most desktop expansion requires a Duo dock
External displaysOptional PowerBook Duo Dock or Duo MiniDock provides external video and desktop connectionsExternal display support through Duo Dock or Duo MiniDock; no built-in video connector
KeyboardBuilt-in keyboard with two-level tilt adjustment and Caps Lock indicatorIntegral keyboard with trackball and palm rests
Trackpad19 mm trackball with two buttonsBuilt-in trackball
SpeakersBuilt-in speaker; 8-bit monophonic sound input/output at 11 or 22 kHz8-bit monaural sound input and output with integral speaker, documented in the developer note
MicrophonesBuilt-in omnidirectional electret microphone, documented in the exact-model technical table despite the support summary's Mic Type noneBuilt-in microphone in Apple Facts and the developer note, despite the support summary's Mic Type none
In the boxComputer, battery, AC adapter, System 7.1 software and documentation. The 12/200 configuration adds an internal Express Modem. Maker introduction was 21 October 1993; The Mac December 1993 current buying guide confirms retail presence that year without an exact first-sale monthSystem 7.1.1 with PowerBook Duo Enabler 2.0; PowerBook Mobility Bundle preinstalled; power adapter included. Developer note lists the Express Modem with the 12 MB configuration; Apple support records introduction on 16 May 1994. Apple Directions July 1994 says the Duo 280 and 280c had begun shipping last month and were available immediately worldwide; issue dating does not establish a first-sale day. Headline retains confirmed retail-year precision. Apple Facts October 1994 lists this model as current

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