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PowerBook 140
The mainstream PowerBook with a faster 68030 and a built-in floppy.
Overview
Launched alongside the PowerBook 100 and 170, the 140 used a 16 MHz 68030 processor and a 10-inch 16-shade passive-matrix display. Unlike the 100, it fitted a floppy drive and a 40 MB hard disk inside the case, so no extra boxes were needed to get work done.
It used the same pointing arrangement as its siblings, a trackball set between two wrist rests, and included a connector for linking to a desk monitor. The 140 became the machine most people bought, and a later 145 version raised the speed slightly.
With its battery lasting a few hours, it gave business travelers a convincing reason to leave the desktop at home.
Why it mattered
The best-selling original PowerBook, it made the notebook a mainstream Apple product.
At a glance
- Announced
- October 21, 1991
- Released
- October 21, 1991
- Discontinued
- October 19, 1992
- Launch price
- $3,500
- Chip / processor
- Motorola 68030, 16 MHz
- Display
- 10"
- Storage
- 40 MB
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- 16 MHz 68030 processor
- 10-inch passive display
- Built-in floppy and hard drive
- Trackball with wrist rests
- Could be used as a SCSI disk
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Display
- Size
- 10-inch
- Type
- Passive-matrix LCD, 16 gray levels
- Resolution
- 640 x 400
Chip
- Chip
- Motorola 68030, 16 MHz
Memory
- RAM
- 2 MB, expandable to 8 MB
- Storage options
- 40 MB hard drive
Ports
- Ports
- SCSI, ADB, 2 serial, external video
Software
- Launch OS
- System 7.0.1
How it compares
More in the PowerBook family
PowerBook 100
A slim, light Mac that defined how laptops are laid out.
PowerBook 170
Top of the first PowerBook line with an active-matrix screen.
PowerBook Duo 230
An ultralight notebook that docked into a full desktop.
PowerBook 180
The fast 68030 PowerBook with the sharpest grayscale screen yet.
PowerBook 540c
A redesigned flagship with a trackpad and a color screen.
PowerBook 5300
The first PowerPC PowerBook, famous for lithium-ion woes.
PowerBook 1400
A rugged workhorse with a bay for a CD-ROM drive.
PowerBook 3400
Billed as the fastest notebook in the world when it launched.