Powerbook 180
Encyclopedia
The PowerBook 180 was a portable computer
released by Apple Computer, Inc. along with the PowerBook 160
in October 1992. At the time, it constituted the new top-of-the-range model replacing the previous PowerBook 170
. Its case design and features are the same as that of the 170, but it shipped with the more powerful 33 MHz Motorola 68030
CPU and Motorola 68882 FPU. Along with the 160, it introduced a new power saving feature which allowed the processor to run at a slower 16 MHz rate, the same speed as the original 140.
The PowerBook 180 came with a 9.5 in (241.3 mm) (diagonal) active matrix
LCD screen, capable of displaying 4-bit grayscale
, and a trackball
was mounted beneath the keyboard
. A 1.44 MB
floppy disk
drive and 80 MB 2.5-inch hard drive were also standard.
The Apple Powerbook also gave an option of possible expansion to a 120 MB hard drive. They are equipped with keyboard stands to slant the keyboard.
Like the Macintosh Portable
before it, with the addition of an external color video port missing on the 170, the 180 became a full featured un-compromised portable desktop replacement, equivalent in performance to the Macintosh LC III+. It was sold until May 1994.
color LCD capable of displaying 256 colors and was the first PowerBook to natively display 640x480 (all previous PowerBooks had 640x400 resolution). As a result of the thicker color display, the exterior case lid was redesigned, more closely resembling that used on the PowerBook Duo
series. The same modification was used on the PowerBook 165c
to accommodate its thicker color display as well.
Portable computer
A portable computer is a computer that is designed to be moved from one place to another and includes a display and keyboard. Portable computers, by their nature, are generally microcomputers. Portable computers, because of their size, are also commonly known as 'Lunchbox' or 'Luggable' computers...
released by Apple Computer, Inc. along with the PowerBook 160
PowerBook 160
The PowerBook 160 is a portable computer that was released by Apple Computer along with the PowerBook 145 and PowerBook 180 in October 1992. At the time, it constituted the mid-range model replacing the previous PowerBook 140 in processing power...
in October 1992. At the time, it constituted the new top-of-the-range model replacing the previous PowerBook 170
PowerBook 170
The PowerBook 170 was released by Apple Inc. in 1991 along with the PowerBook 100 and the PowerBook 140. Identical to the 140, it was the high end of the original...
. Its case design and features are the same as that of the 170, but it shipped with the more powerful 33 MHz Motorola 68030
Motorola 68030
The Motorola 68030 is a 32-bit microprocessor in Motorola's 68000 family. It was released in 1987. The 68030 was the successor to the Motorola 68020, and was followed by the Motorola 68040. In keeping with general Motorola naming, this CPU is often referred to as the 030 .The 68030 features on-chip...
CPU and Motorola 68882 FPU. Along with the 160, it introduced a new power saving feature which allowed the processor to run at a slower 16 MHz rate, the same speed as the original 140.
The PowerBook 180 came with a 9.5 in (241.3 mm) (diagonal) 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...
LCD screen, capable of displaying 4-bit grayscale
Grayscale
In photography and computing, a grayscale or greyscale digital image is an image in which the value of each pixel is a single sample, that is, it carries only intensity information...
, and a trackball
Trackball
A trackball is a pointing device consisting of a ball held by a socket containing sensors to detect a rotation of the ball about two axes—like an upside-down mouse with an exposed protruding ball. The user rolls the ball with the thumb, fingers, or the palm of the hand to move a cursor...
was mounted beneath the keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
. A 1.44 MB
Megabyte
The megabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage or transmission with two different values depending on context: bytes generally for computer memory; and one million bytes generally for computer storage. The IEEE Standards Board has decided that "Mega will mean 1 000...
floppy disk
Floppy disk
A floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles...
drive and 80 MB 2.5-inch hard drive were also standard.
The Apple Powerbook also gave an option of possible expansion to a 120 MB hard drive. They are equipped with keyboard stands to slant the keyboard.
Like the Macintosh Portable
Macintosh Portable
The Macintosh Portable was Apple Inc.'s first attempt at making a battery-powered portable Macintosh personal computer that held the power of a desktop Macintosh...
before it, with the addition of an external color video port missing on the 170, the 180 became a full featured un-compromised portable desktop replacement, equivalent in performance to the Macintosh LC III+. It was sold until May 1994.
PowerBook 180c
In June 1993, Apple released an identical color version of this model, the PowerBook 180c (pictured above). It had an 8.4 in (213.4 mm) diagonal active matrixActive 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 capable of displaying 256 colors and was the first PowerBook to natively display 640x480 (all previous PowerBooks had 640x400 resolution). As a result of the thicker color display, the exterior case lid was redesigned, more closely resembling that used on the 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 same modification was used on the PowerBook 165c
PowerBook 160
The PowerBook 160 is a portable computer that was released by Apple Computer along with the PowerBook 145 and PowerBook 180 in October 1992. At the time, it constituted the mid-range model replacing the previous PowerBook 140 in processing power...
to accommodate its thicker color display as well.