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

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 280AppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 280c
Overview
Released1994May 1994
Display
Screen size9″8.4″
Resolution640 × 400640 × 480
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeBacklit active-matrix TFT LCD with 16 grey levels; 640 × 400 pixels. The developer note specifies a CCFL backlight and 512 KB video memory8.4-inch backlit active-matrix colour LCD; 256 colours at 640 × 480 or thousands of colours at 640 × 400
Performance
ProcessorMotorola 68LC040 66 MHz (PowerBook 540c)Motorola 68LC040 66 MHz (PowerBook 540c)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB or 12 MB4 MB
Storage240 MB320 MB
CPUMotorola 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 processorMotorola 68LC040 with 66 MHz internal processor speed and 33 MHz bus interface; integrated memory management without an FPU
Memory type4 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 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. 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 accessories320 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
Weight1.9 kg2.1 kg
Thickness–38 mm
Width × depth–277 × 216 mm
Battery life detailHigh-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 replacementRemovable 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
Connections
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailMini-DIN eight-pin serial/LocalTalk, 152-pin docking connector, power input and optional modem port. Most desktop expansion requires a Duo dock152-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 displaysExternal display support through Duo Dock or Duo MiniDock; no built-in video connectorVideo output through an optional Duo Dock, Duo Dock II or Duo MiniDock
KeyboardIntegral keyboard with trackball and palm rests–
TrackpadBuilt-in trackball19 mm trackball with two buttons
Speakers8-bit monaural sound input and output with integral speaker, documented in the developer noteBuilt-in mono speaker and omnidirectional microphone; 8-bit sound input at 11 or 22 kHz
MicrophonesBuilt-in microphone in Apple Facts and the developer note, despite the support summary's Mic Type none–
In the boxSystem 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 currentNotebook with 4 MB RAM and 320 MB storage; desktop docking hardware and external floppy drive sold separately

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