The PowerBook 1400 is a laptop computer designed and manufactured by Quanta Computer for Apple Computer and sold from October 1996 to May 1998. By working with Quanta, Apple was able to bring the 1400 to market on a shorter development schedule to replace the troubled PowerBook 5300 in Apple's PowerBook line. After the high-end PowerBook 3400 was introduced in February 1997, the 1400 was repositioned as an entry-level laptop and was sold alongside the subcompact PowerBook 2400.
Design Following the troubled launch of the PowerBook 5300 in August 1995, Apple sought to bring a new PowerBook to market on a shorter development schedule. Phil Baker, Apple's director of entry-level laptops, contracted Quanta Computer, an original design manufacturer, to modify one of its pre-existing notebook designs to become the 1400. Minimal changes were made to the exterior to align it with Apple's design language, while Quanta adapted the 5300's architecture for the new computer.
The design gave the PowerBook 1400 an expansion bay large enough for a CD-ROM drive, a first for a PowerBook. The bay also accepted a floppy drive or Zip drive. The drives could be "warm swapped" while the computer was in sleep mode.
However the reuse of the architecture of the 5300 meant that it retained constraints of the earlier design, including the 117 MHz PowerPC 603e processor without an L2 cache and a 64 MB memory limit.
The PowerBook 1400 used removable "BookCover" panels, a feature Apple marketed to home users and students. Each computer included a gray panel matching the computer's case and a clear panel. Users could create custom inserts with a bundled template and place them beneath the clear panel.
The PowerBook 1400 had two PC Card slots, infrared communications, and an internal expansion slot for video-out or Ethernet cards.
Models and specifications Apple initially offered the PowerBook 1400 with a 117 MHz PowerPC 603e processor. It added a 133 MHz model in May 1997 and a 166 MHz model in July 1997. While the 117 MHz model lacked an L2 cache; the 133 MHz and 166 MHz models included a 128 KB L2 cache.
Each version was available as a 1400c, with an active matrix LCD, or a 1400cs, with a passive-matrix dual-scan LCD. Both used color displays with an 800 × 600 resolution.
The initial 1400cs configuration included a 750 MB hard drive and 12 MB of RAM, without a CD-ROM drive, at a price of . An additional 4 MB of RAM soldered to the motherboard and a CD-ROM drive could be added to the 1400cs for . The 1400c included a 1 GB hard drive, 16 MB of RAM, and a CD-ROM drive, and sold for .
Reception In a contemporary review, Macworld noted the PowerBook 1400's expansion-bay CD-ROM drive, display, keyboard, and trackpad, while criticizing the 117 MHz model's lack of an L2 cache.
MacUser described the 1400 as a reliable basic portable. The review praised its price, configuration range, display, CD-ROM drive, and BookCover panels, while finding its performance unremarkable.
Technical specifications
1400cs/117 1400c/117 1400cs/133 1400c/133 1400cs/166 1400c/166IntroducedOctober 1, 1996May 19, 1997October 1, 1996October 15, 1997July 14, 1997DiscontinuedJuly 14, 1997May 1998DisplaySizeMethodDual-scan passiveActiveDual-scan passiveActiveDual-scan passiveActiveColors15-bit (thousands)ResolutionStorageHard drive750 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB EIDEFloppyRemovable 1.44 MB SuperDriveCD-ROMRemovable 6×, 8× or 12×PerformanceCPUPowerPC 603eCPU speed117 MHz133 MHz166 MHzRAM12 or 16 MB on board16 MB on boardROM4 MBGraphics controllerChips and Technologies 65525ANetworkingNone (default); Modem & Ethernet available as upgradesBattery1.5–4.0 hoursDimensionsWeightPort connections1 × ADB, 1 × serial, 1 × SCSI (HDI-30), 1 × 3.5 mm audio in, 1 × 3.5 mm audio outExpansion slots2 PC Card slots, 1 RAM slot (piggyback)Audio8-bit stereoGestalt ID310Code nameEpic
Timeline
Notes
References
External links Apple-history.com: 1400 series specs Lowendmac.com: 1400 series specs