Apple Macintosh PowerBook Duo 270c vs Apple Macintosh PowerBook Duo 280c

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Macintosh PowerBook Duo 270c compared with Macintosh PowerBook Duo 280c
AppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 270cAppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 280c
Overview
Released1993May 1994
Display
Screen size8.4″8.4″
Resolution640 × 480640 × 480
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeBacklit 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 inches8.4-inch backlit active-matrix colour LCD; 256 colours at 640 × 480 or thousands of colours at 640 × 400
Screen finishAntiglare polariser–
Performance
ProcessorMotorola 68030 33 MHzMotorola 68LC040 66 MHz (PowerBook 540c)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB or 12 MB (better)4 MB
Storage240 MB320 MB (better)
CPUMotorola 68030 at 33 MHz with an integrated memory-management unit and a separate Motorola 68882 maths coprocessor at 33 MHzMotorola 68LC040 with 66 MHz internal processor speed and 33 MHz bus interface; integrated memory management without an FPU
GPUColour Screen Controller with video RAM; selecting thousands of colours centres a 640 × 400 image with black bands above and below–
Memory type4 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 cards4 MB fitted, expandable to 8 or 12 MB with Apple's memory kits and up to 40 MB using third-party cards
Storage typeInternal 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 MiniDock320 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 hoursUp to 4 hours
Weight2.1 kg2.1 kg
Thickness38 mm38 mm
Width × depth277 × 216 mm277 × 216 mm
Battery life detailRemovable 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 mmRemovable 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
ChargerAC adapter supplied; service manual gives a 24 V DC, 1.04 A output–
Connections
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detail152-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 accessories152-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 displaysOptional PowerBook Duo Dock or Duo MiniDock provides external video and desktop peripheral expansionVideo output through an optional Duo Dock, Duo Dock II or Duo MiniDock
KeyboardBuilt-in keyboard with two-level tilt adjustment; 63 keys on the domestic version or 64 on the ISO version–
Trackpad19 mm trackball with two buttons19 mm trackball with two buttons
SpeakersFour-voice, 8-bit monophonic sound input and output at 11 or 22 kHzBuilt-in mono speaker and omnidirectional microphone; 8-bit sound input at 11 or 22 kHz
MicrophonesBuilt-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 boxComputer, 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 yearNotebook with 4 MB RAM and 320 MB storage; desktop docking hardware and external floppy drive sold separately

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