PowerBook Duo
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The PowerBook Duo was a line of small subnotebooks manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from 1992 until 1997 as a more compact companion to the PowerBook line. The duo came in seven different models. They were the Duo 210, 230, 250, 270c, 280, 280c, and 2300c, with the 210 and 230 being the earliest, and 2300c being the final incarnation before the entire line was dropped in early 1997. The PowerBook Duo line was replaced by the PowerBook 2400, which was similar in size to the Duos. Although it featured much more onboard functionality, it lacked docking capability.
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[edit] Processor
The 2xx Duos were powered by either Motorola 68030 or 68LC040 processors, ranging from 25-33 MHz. When Apple debuted its next-generation PowerPC processors in 1994, it took nearly two years for the first PowerPC Duo (the 2300c) to debut. The original PowerPC 601 produced too much heat and consumed too much power for Apple to use in any laptop, but by the end of 1995 the more efficient PowerPC 603e had been developed, which was featured in the Duo 2300c as well as its full size companion, the PowerBook 5300 series. The PowerPC 603e was designed for a 64-bit bus, but was engineered by Apple to run on an older 32-bit bus to maintain compatibility with the Duo Docks. This led to poor system and video performance.
[edit] Docking stations
PowerBook Duos lacked most common ports (featuring only internal serial and fax/modem ports). In their place was docking ability, with several dock options offered by Apple as well as third parties.
[edit] Duo Dock
This was the largest and most expensive dock for the PowerBook Duo. Unlike cumbersome "port replicators" that plugged into the back of other laptops, the Duo Dock allowed the PowerBook Duo to actually fit completely inside itself via a mechanical sliding mechanism (similar to a VCR), thus turning the PowerBook Duo into a full size, full powered, fully functional desktop computer, with all the common desktop ports which could physically support a heavy, high-resolution display on top of it. The Duo Dock included a floppy drive, two NuBus expansion slots, an FPU, level 2 cache, slots for more RAM, and space for a second hard drive. The original Duo Dock was replaced by the Duo Dock II, which added AAUI networking and compatibility with newer color-screen PowerBook Duos. This was followed by the Duo Dock Plus, which was identical to the Duo Dock II, but lacked the FPU and level 2 cache (which were not compatible with the PowerPC-processor PowerBook Duo 2300c).
[edit] Mini Dock
The Mini Dock was a port expander for the PowerBook Duo. When attached, the PowerBook Duo could be plugged into various devices including SCSI, ADB, serial, floppy, external speakers, and an external display. This type of dock also allowed the Duo's internal LCD and battery to be used.
[edit] Micro Dock
This type of dock was manufactured by both Apple and third parties, and gave the PowerBook Duo between one and two extra ports. Examples include floppy, SCSI, and ethernet ports. This was the least expensive, and most basic of the docks. This type of dock allowed the Duo's internal LCD to be used, and could run on the Duo's internal battery for a reduced amount of time.
[edit] Trivia
In the early seasons of the popular TV sitcom Friends Chandler Bing is clearly seen to be using a Macintosh PowerBook Duo.
A complete PowerBook Duo system, including Dock, is featured prominently throughout season 6 of Seinfeld.
[edit] Timeline of portable Macintoshes
- See also: Timeline of Apple Macintosh models
[edit] See also
- List of Macintosh software
- List of Macintosh models grouped by CPU type
- List of products discontinued by Apple Computer
