Apple Macintosh PowerBook Duo 270c vs Apple Macintosh PowerBook Duo 280c
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 270c | AppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 280c | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | 1993 | May 1994 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 8.4″ | 8.4″ |
| Resolution | 640 × 480 | 640 × 480 |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Display type | 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 | 8.4-inch backlit active-matrix colour LCD; 256 colours at 640 × 480 or thousands of colours at 640 × 400 |
| Screen finish | Antiglare polariser | – |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | Motorola 68030 33 MHz | Motorola 68LC040 66 MHz (PowerBook 540c) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Memory | 4 MB or 12 MB (better) | 4 MB |
| Storage | 240 MB | 320 MB (better) |
| CPU | Motorola 68030 at 33 MHz with an integrated memory-management unit and a separate Motorola 68882 maths coprocessor at 33 MHz | Motorola 68LC040 with 66 MHz internal processor speed and 33 MHz bus interface; integrated memory management without an FPU |
| GPU | Colour Screen Controller with video RAM; selecting thousands of colours centres a 640 × 400 image with black bands above and below | – |
| Memory type | 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 | 4 MB fitted, expandable to 8 or 12 MB with Apple's memory kits and up to 40 MB using third-party cards |
| Storage type | 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 | 320 MB internal SCSI hard drive; optional external 1.4 MB Apple SuperDrive through a floppy adapter or dock |
| Battery and size | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 4 hours | Up to 4 hours |
| Weight | 2.1 kg | 2.1 kg |
| Thickness | 38 mm | 38 mm |
| Width × depth | 277 × 216 mm | 277 × 216 mm |
| Battery life detail | 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 | Removable high-capacity Type III nickel-metal hydride battery; Apple claims 2–4 hours. Maker TIL gives 2.1 kg and 4.8 lb together; the stated metric weight is retained without converting the inconsistent pounds figure |
| Charger | AC adapter supplied; service manual gives a 24 V DC, 1.04 A output | – |
| Connections | ||
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Port detail | 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 | 152-pin docking connector, RS-422 serial/LocalTalk, power input and optional internal 14,400 bps fax/data modem; ADB, SCSI, video and floppy connections available through compatible docks |
| External displays | Optional PowerBook Duo Dock or Duo MiniDock provides external video and desktop peripheral expansion | Video output through an optional Duo Dock, Duo Dock II or Duo MiniDock |
| Keyboard | Built-in keyboard with two-level tilt adjustment; 63 keys on the domestic version or 64 on the ISO version | – |
| Trackpad | 19 mm trackball with two buttons | 19 mm trackball with two buttons |
| Speakers | Four-voice, 8-bit monophonic sound input and output at 11 or 22 kHz | Built-in mono speaker and omnidirectional microphone; 8-bit sound input 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 | 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 | Notebook with 4 MB RAM and 320 MB storage; desktop docking hardware and external floppy drive sold separately |
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