On October 19th, 1992, Apple introduced the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 230 to the world as part of their Macintosh PowerBook series of computers. This notebook was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple from 1992 to 1994, but has since been discontinued on July 27th, 1994. Today, the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 230 is 30 years old and remains a significant piece of Apple’s history.
The PowerBook Duo 230 was equipped with a 33 MHz Motorola 68030 processor, a 9.1-inch monochrome LCD display, 4 MB of RAM, and a hard drive with a capacity of either 80 MB or 120 MB. One of the unique features of this Macintosh was its ability to be set up as a desktop computer by plugging it into a dedicated Duo Dock.
At its launch, the PowerBook Duo 230 was priced at $2,610, making it a high-end option for users looking for a portable Macintosh computer. However, despite its features and capabilities, the PowerBook Duo 230 was eventually discontinued, making way for new and improved models in the PowerBook series.
The Macintosh PowerBook Duo 230 may have been discontinued, but it remains a significant part of Apple’s history, marking a time when the company was pushing the boundaries of portable computing. As the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 230 turns 30 years old, it serves as a reminder of the innovation and advancements that have shaped the technology industry over the years.
Macintosh PowerBook Duo 230 Release Date and Original Price
| Introduced | October 19, 1992 |
| Discontinued | July 27, 1994 |
| Model Identifier | 32 |
| Model Number | M4195LL/A (80 MB hard drive) M4196LL/A (120 MB hard drive) |
| Original Price | $2,610 |
| Colors | Grey |
| Weight | 4.2 Ibs. 1.905 KG |
| Dimensions | 1.4” H x 10.9” W x 8.5” D 3.55 cm H x 27.68 cm W x 21.59 cm D |
Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | Motorola 68030 |
| Processor Speed | 33 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 33 MHz |
| Cache | 0.5 KB L1 |
| Coprocessor | None |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 80 MB 120 MB |
| Media | None |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 4 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 24 MB |
| Memory Slots | 1 – Duo |
| Minimum Speed | 70 ns |
| ROM | Unknown |
| Interleaving Support | No |
Display
| Built-in Display | 9″ monochrome passive-matrix reflective LCD |
| Resolutions | 640 x 400 |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | None |
| Graphics Memory | None |
| Display Connection | None |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | Modem Dock (152-pin PDS) |
| Hard Drive Interface | SCSI |
| Bays | Unknown |
Software
| Original OS | System Software 7.1 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS 7.6.1 |
| Firmware | Macintosh ROM |
Connections
| Wi-Fi | None |
| Ethernet | None |
| Modem | Internal modem/fax card |
| Bluetooth | None |
| ADB | None |
| Serial | 1 |
| SCSI | HDI-30 |
| Floppy Port | None |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack 1 – Built-in microphone |
| Audio Out | 1 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 1 – Built-in speaker |
| Infrared | None |
| Display | 1 – Mini-15 |
Keyboard and trackpad
| Keyboard | Built-in 64-key (U.S.) or 64-key (ISO) 3.0-mm travel keyboard |
| Trackpad | Built-in 25-mm trackball pointing device |
Power
| System Battery | PowerBook Duo Type I (NiMH) |
| Backup Battery | Unknown |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 25 W |
| Line Voltage | Unknown |
| Power Adapter | Unknown |
References:
Apple Support – Macintosh PowerBook Duo 230: Technical Specifications
