PowerBook
Macintosh Recovery - PowerBook
PowerBook is a line of Macintosh laptop computers designed by Apple Computers during the period 1991-2006. PowerBook had a number of features that became the standard in several leading laptops. PowerBook was designed for professionals.
The first series of PowerBooks was released in October 1991. They were the low-end PowerBook 100, the more advanced PowerBook 140 and the high-end PowerBook 170. PowerBook 170 was the only laptop with an active matrix display at the time. These machines created a sensation in the professional computers market with their dark grey cases and the clever positioning of the keyboard to save space for palm rests.
The first series of PowerBooks was a huge hit, capturing 40 percent of all laptop sales. PowerBook 100, 140 and 170 were replaced by the 145, 160 and 180 in 1992, with 160 and 180 having video output allowing them to drive an external monitor. A hybrid portable/desktop version of the PowerBook was the PowerBook Duo, released in 1992. In 1993, Apple introduced PowerBook 165c, the first PowerBook with a color screen. It was followed by the 180c. In 1994, the company introduced PowerBook 150, the last member of the 100-sereis, targeted at value-minded consumers and students. In 1995, Apple released PowerBook 190, a Motorola 68LC040-based version of the PowerBook 5300 and the last PowerBook to be manufactured using a Motorola 68k family processor.
PowerBook 500 series was introduced in 1994. They were based on Motorola 68LC040 and were faster and sleeker than the 100 series. They were also the first PowerBook to feature PCMCIA slots. The 500 series was discontinued upon the introduction of PPC-based PowerBook 5300. However, 5300 series was not a success and was recalled from the market. Apple recovered from this debacle by introducing three new PowerBooks: PowerBook 1400, PowerBook 2400 and PowerBook 3400. Late in 1997, the PowerBook 3400 was adapted into the first PowerBook G3. Apple introduced two later G3 PowerBook models: The Lombard in 1999 and the Pismo in 2000. In January 2001, the PowerBook was re-designed with a New World PowerBook with a titanium skin and a 15.2-inch wide-aspect screen suitable for watching widescreen movies. It was known as “the first you can actually take with you on an airplane.”
In 2006, with the introduction of MacBook Pro, PowerBook series was withdrawn.
