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PowerBook Buyer's Guide
PowerBook 540c
by Steve Hildreth
The 500-series was the third generation PowerBook. Referred to using their codename 'Blackbird', they were much anticipated. Of the 4 models, the 540c was the top of the line, with its 9.5 inch active-matrix display, 320 MB hard drive, second battery, and faster processor. The 500-series was applauded for its bold, swoopy design and versatility. They were also the first 68040-powered 'Books and were about two times faster than their 100-series predecessors. The 500-series introduced new technologies such as a trackpad, a multipurpose PDS slot that could accept a second battery or PC Card adapter, and a PowerPC-upgradable motherboard. The 540c quickly garnered a cult following, and many are still in use today with PowerPC-upgraded motherboards. The 540c was relatively expensive when introduced, but can be had now at very reasonable prices on the used market. Starting to show its age, I would still recommend a PowerPC-upgraded 540c for the average user looking for a cheap, but great, PowerBook.
Rating:
At the time: A
Ports:
1 serial
ADB
audio out
audio in
video out
Ethernet
internal modem
1 PDS slot
HDI-30 SCSI
Display:
Active-matrix 1000s colors
9.5"
640x480 resolution
Weight: 7.3 pounds
Apple's Specifications:
| Logic Board |
Ports |
Power |
| Processor: |
68LC040, 66 MHz |
| PMMU: |
integrated |
| FPU: |
none |
| Data Path: |
32-bit, 33 MHz |
| L1 Cache: |
8K |
| L2 Cache: |
none |
| 2nd Processor: |
none |
| Slots: |
modem |
|
| ADB: |
1 |
| Video: |
mini-15 |
| Floppy: |
none |
| SCSI: |
HDI-30 |
| Geoports: |
none |
| Ethernet: |
AAUI-15 |
| FireWire: |
|
| Mic Type: |
Line in |
| Other Ports: |
Printer, Speaker,
|
|
| Max Watts: |
40 |
| Amps: |
1.0/1.5 |
| BTU per Hr: |
136.8 |
| Voltage: |
100-240 |
| Freq Range: |
50-60 Hz |
| Battery Type: |
PB500, NiMH |
| Soft Power: |
yes |
|
| Memory |
Video Memory |
| Logic Board: |
4 MB |
| RAM Slots: |
1, PB5xx |
| Min - Max RAM: |
4 MB - 36 MB |
| Min RAM Speed: |
70 ns |
| RAM Sizes: |
4, 8, 12, 20, 32 MB |
| Install in Groups of: |
1 |
|
| Resolution |
Video Memory
built-in LCD screen
(built in) |
Video Memory
512K VRAM (ext. only)
(built in) |
| 512 x 384 |
n/a-bit |
8-bit |
| 640 x 400 |
16-bit |
n/a-bit |
| 640 x 480 |
8-bit |
8-bit |
| 800 x 600 |
n/a-bit |
8-bit |
| 832 x 624 |
n/a-bit |
8-bit |
| 1024 x 768 |
n/a-bit |
n/a-bit |
| 1152 x 870 |
n/a-bit |
n/a-bit |
| 1280 x 1024 |
n/a-bit |
n/a-bit |
|
| Physical |
Software |
Storage |
| Introduced: |
5/16/1994 |
| Discontinued: |
8/26/1995 |
| Form Factor: |
PowerBook 520 |
| Gestalt ID: |
72 |
| Weight (lbs): |
7.3 |
| Dimensions (in): |
2.3 H x 11.5 W x 9.7 D |
|
|
|
| Addressing Modes: |
32-bit |
| Orig SSW: |
7.1.1 |
| Orig Enabler: |
PowerBook 500 Series Enabler |
| ROM ID: |
n/a |
| ROM Ver: |
n/a |
| ROM Size: |
2MB |
| AppleTalk Ver: |
57.0.4 |
Mac OS
Supported: |
7.1.1
7.5
7.5.1
7.5.3
7.5.5
7.6
7.6.1
8.0 |
|
| Floppy Size: |
1.44MB |
| Floppy Inject: |
manual |
| Min. Int HD Size: |
240-500MB |
| Int HD Interface: |
SCSI |
| Orig CD Speed |
n/a |
| Int CD Support: |
|
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