PowerBook 2400c
Encyclopedia
The PowerBook 2400c is a subnotebook
in Apple Computer
's PowerBook
range of Macintosh computers, weighing 4.4 pounds (2 kg). Manufacturing was contracted to IBM
. In a return to the PowerBook 100
form factor, It was introduced in May 1997 as a late replacement for the PowerBook Duo 2300c, which had been the last of the subnotebook PowerBook Duo
series. The 2400c was discontinued in March 1998, with no immediate replacement — the model that followed it was the much larger PowerBook G3 Series (known as "Wallstreet"/"Mainstreet"). However, in Japan
a 2400c with a 240 MHz CPU (codenamed "Mighty Cat") was offered shortly after the original model's discontinuation, until the end of the year.
The 2400c uses the same PowerPC 603e processor as the preceding Duo 2300c, but at a much higher CPU clock — 180 instead of 100 MHz. However, the 2400 is unable to utilize the DuoDock like the 2300c was, making the lack of an internal removable drive much more noticeable. Like the PowerBook 100 and Duo series before it, it was sold with an external floppy drive. Apple did not offer a CD-ROM
drive for it which was otherwise standard for all other PowerBooks. Unlike the Duo, reinstated peripheral ports on the machine most closely matched those of the original 100 and include: ADB, one combined serial printer/modem port, HDI-20 floppy port, HDI-30 SCSI port, but added a VGA video out, as well as a stereo sound out and in, infrared port, and two PCMCIA card slots. The PCMCIA slots officially accept only 2 Type II or 1 Type III PCMCIA-spec cards, but some users have applied simple motherboard modifications to allow the use of Cardbus expansion cards as well, extending the practical life of this subcompact until a replacement was eventually offered by Apple. The 2400 is built around a 10.4 in (26.4 cm) active matrix
color LCD screen, making the computer very compact indeed — it is slightly smaller and lighter, though a bit thicker, than a 12 in (30.5 cm) iBook
, and the fourth smallest subnotebook behind the 12 in (30.5 cm) PowerBook G4
introduced several years later. Apple's current offering in this category is the MacBook Air
.
Due to its processor being located on a detachable daughter card, the PowerBook 2400c saw a small number of PowerPC G3
processor cards created for it. Companies such as Interware, Vimage, and Newer Technologies offered processor upgrades which would swap out the 603e for a G3 ranging from 240 MHz to 400 MHz.
Subnotebook
A subnotebook is a class of laptop computers that are smaller and lighter than a typical laptop....
in Apple Computer
Apple Computer
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad...
's PowerBook
PowerBook
The PowerBook was a line of Macintosh laptop computers that was designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer, Inc. from 1991 to 2006. During its lifetime, the PowerBook went through several major revisions and redesigns, often being the first to incorporate features that would later become...
range of Macintosh computers, weighing 4.4 pounds (2 kg). Manufacturing was contracted to IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
. In a return to the PowerBook 100
PowerBook 100
The PowerBook 100 was a portable subnotebook personal computer manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced on October 21, 1991 at the COMDEX computer expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Priced at US$2,300, the PowerBook 100 was the low-end model of the first three simultaneously-released...
form factor, It was introduced in May 1997 as a late replacement for the PowerBook Duo 2300c, which had been the last of the subnotebook PowerBook Duo
PowerBook Duo
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. Improving upon the PowerBook 100's portability , the Duo came in seven different models...
series. The 2400c was discontinued in March 1998, with no immediate replacement — the model that followed it was the much larger PowerBook G3 Series (known as "Wallstreet"/"Mainstreet"). However, in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
a 2400c with a 240 MHz CPU (codenamed "Mighty Cat") was offered shortly after the original model's discontinuation, until the end of the year.
The 2400c uses the same PowerPC 603e processor as the preceding Duo 2300c, but at a much higher CPU clock — 180 instead of 100 MHz. However, the 2400 is unable to utilize the DuoDock like the 2300c was, making the lack of an internal removable drive much more noticeable. Like the PowerBook 100 and Duo series before it, it was sold with an external floppy drive. Apple did not offer a CD-ROM
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
drive for it which was otherwise standard for all other PowerBooks. Unlike the Duo, reinstated peripheral ports on the machine most closely matched those of the original 100 and include: ADB, one combined serial printer/modem port, HDI-20 floppy port, HDI-30 SCSI port, but added a VGA video out, as well as a stereo sound out and in, infrared port, and two PCMCIA card slots. The PCMCIA slots officially accept only 2 Type II or 1 Type III PCMCIA-spec cards, but some users have applied simple motherboard modifications to allow the use of Cardbus expansion cards as well, extending the practical life of this subcompact until a replacement was eventually offered by Apple. The 2400 is built around a 10.4 in (26.4 cm) active matrix
Active matrix
Active matrix is a type of addressing scheme used in flat panel displays. The term describes a method of switching individual elements of a flat panel display, using a CdSe or Silicon-based thin-film transistor for each pixel...
color LCD screen, making the computer very compact indeed — it is slightly smaller and lighter, though a bit thicker, than a 12 in (30.5 cm) iBook
IBook
The iBook was a line of laptop computers sold by Apple Computer from 1999 to 2006. The line targeted the consumer and education markets, with lower specifications and prices than the PowerBook, Apple's higher-end line of laptop computers....
, and the fourth smallest subnotebook behind the 12 in (30.5 cm) PowerBook G4
PowerBook G4
The PowerBook G4 are a series of notebook computers that were manufactured, marketed, and sold by Apple, Inc. between 2001 and 2006 as part of its PowerBook line. It uses the PowerPC G4 processor, initially produced by Motorola and later by Freescale, after Motorola spun off its semiconductor...
introduced several years later. Apple's current offering in this category is the MacBook Air
MacBook Air
The MacBook Air family is a line of Apple ultraportable Macintosh notebook computers.The first-generation MacBook Air was a 13.3"-only model, previously promoted as the World's Thinnest Notebook, introduced at the Macworld Conference & Expo on January 15, 2008. It featured a custom Intel Merom CPU...
.
Due to its processor being located on a detachable daughter card, the PowerBook 2400c saw a small number of PowerPC G3
PowerPC G3
The PowerPC 7xx is a family of third generation 32-bit PowerPC microprocessors designed and manufactured by IBM and Motorola . This family is called the PowerPC G3 by its well-known customer Apple Computer...
processor cards created for it. Companies such as Interware, Vimage, and Newer Technologies offered processor upgrades which would swap out the 603e for a G3 ranging from 240 MHz to 400 MHz.