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Apple · PowerBook

Macintosh PowerBook 100

Released October 1991

The PowerBook 100 was a compact monochrome Macintosh laptop with a 16 MHz 68000 processor and an external floppy drive connection.

Size
9″
Display
–
Processor
68000 16 MHz (PowerBook 100)
Memory
2 MB
Weight
2.3 kg
Battery
4 h

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Display

Screen size
9″
Resolution
640 × 400
Touchscreen
No
Display type
9-inch backlit FSTN monochrome LCD, 640 × 400 pixels at 1-bit colour (Apple service guide).

Performance

Processor
68000 16 MHz (PowerBook 100)
CPU cores
1
Memory
2 MB
Storage
20 MB to 40 MB
CPU
16 MHz Motorola 68000; no FPU or processor cache.
Memory type
2 MB on the logic board and one expansion slot; 8 MB maximum.
Storage type
20 MB or 40 MB internal SCSI hard drive; no built-in floppy drive. The HDI-20 port accepts an external floppy drive.

Battery and size

Battery life (maker's claim)
Up to 4 hours
Weight
2.3 kg
Battery life detail
Sealed lead-acid battery; Apple claimed 2–4 hours of use before recharging.

Connections

Operating system
macOS
Port detail
One Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port, HDI-20 external floppy connector, HDI-30 SCSI connector, printer serial port and speaker output. No built-in Ethernet or video output.
Trackpad
Built-in trackball.
In the box
Original system software was System 7.0.1. Apple dates the model's introduction to 21 October 1991; its technical sheet does not state a separate first-sale day.

Configurations

ProcessorMemoryStorage
68000 16 MHz (PowerBook 100)2 MB20 MB
68000 16 MHz (PowerBook 100)2 MB40 MB

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Compact 9-inch display and 5.1 lb weight
  • Built-in trackball
  • SCSI disk mode for connection to another Macintosh

Cons

  • Monochrome display
  • No built-in floppy drive
  • Maximum 8 MB RAM

Closest rivals

Model
SizeDisplayProcessorMemoryWeightBatteryReleased
AppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 210
9″–Motorola 68030 25 MHz (PowerBook 145B)4 MB1.9 kg4.5 hOct 1992
AppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 230
9″–Motorola 68030 33 MHz (PowerBook 165)4 MB1.9 kg4.5 hOct 1992
AppleMacintosh PowerBook Duo 250
9″–Motorola 68030 33 MHz (PowerBook 165)4 MB – 12 MB1.9 kg6 h1993

Sources

  1. support.apple.com/en-us/112153
  2. savagetaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/Apple_Directions/Apple_Direct_199…
  3. vintageapple.org/macbooks/pdf/APPLE_MACINTOSH_SERVICE_GUIDE_VOL2_1992.pdf

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