PowerBook Buyer's Guide
PowerBook 3400c
by Steve Hildreth
The 3400c was the first truly fast PowerBook. It was also the first PowerBook to come with only a color active-matrix display. The 3400c was offered in 4 varieties; 180MHz (basemodel), 180MHz, 200MHz, and 240MHz. All but the very base-model 3400c/180 had an internal 33.6k modem. The very base model also had no internal CD-ROM drive. The 240MHz 603e processor made this portable faster than any other laptop in the world (at the time) and faster than many desktop systems. The 12.1 inch display is large, bright, and beautiful. For most people, this was the first PowerBook that could satisfactorily replace their desktop system. With the included Ethernet/33.6k combo card, the 3400c is versatile and a pleasure to use. The downside is that the processor is not upgradable, video out is for mirroring only, and it's particularly difficult to open and upgrade for the average user. I'd recommend this PowerBook to anyone looking for a fast and competent PowerBook able to do nearly anything in today's world.
Rating
At the time: A+
General
- 180MHz, 200MHz, or 240MHz PowerPC 603e processor
- 16MB RAM standard, maximum 144MB
- 1.3GB (3400c/180), 2.0GB (3400c/200), or 3.0GB (3400c/240) hard drive
- 256K L2 cache
- 12x or 20x CD-ROM drive except one base model
Ports
- 1 serial
- ADB
- audio in
- audio out
- video out
- HDI-30 SCSI
- IR
- 1 expansion bay
- 2 PC card slots
Display
- Active-matrix 1000's of colors
- 12.1"
- 800x600 resolution
Weight
Apple's Specifications:
PowerBook 3400c/240
| Logic Board |
Ports |
Power |
| Processor: |
603e, 240 MHz |
| PMMU: |
integrated |
| FPU: |
integrated |
| Data Path: |
64-bit, 40 MHz |
| L1 Cache: |
32K |
| L2 Cache: |
256K |
| 2nd Processor: |
none |
| Slots: |
2 Type II PC Card (1 Type III) |
|
| ADB: |
1 |
| Video: |
HDI-15 |
| Floppy: |
none |
| SCSI: |
HDI-30 |
| Geoports: |
1 |
| Ethernet: |
10baseT |
| FireWire: |
|
| Mic Type: |
PlainTalk |
| Other Ports: |
Printer, Speaker,
|
|
| Max Watts: |
45 |
| Amps: |
1.875 |
| BTU per Hr: |
153.9 |
| Voltage: |
100-220 |
| Freq Range: |
50-60 Hz |
| Battery Type: |
32 Wh Lithium Ion |
| Soft Power: |
yes |
|
| Memory |
Video Memory |
| Logic Board: |
16 MB |
| RAM Slots: |
1, PB 3400 |
| Min - Max RAM: |
16 MB - 144 MB |
| Min RAM Speed: |
60 ns |
| RAM Sizes: |
4-128 MB |
| Install in Groups of: |
1 |
| Notes: |
This system supports EDO RAM devices on its memory modules. |
|
| Resolution |
Video Memory
built-in LCD screen
(built in) |
| 512 x 384 |
n/a-bit |
| 640 x 400 |
n/a-bit |
| 640 x 480 |
n/a-bit |
| 800 x 600 |
16-bit |
| 832 x 624 |
n/a-bit |
| 1024 x 768 |
n/a-bit |
| 1152 x 870 |
n/a-bit |
| 1280 x 1024 |
n/a-bit |
|
| Physical |
Software |
Storage |
| Introduced: |
2/17/1997 |
| Discontinued: |
n/a |
| Form Factor: |
PowerBook 3400 |
| Gestalt ID: |
306 |
| Weight (lbs): |
7.2 |
| Dimensions (in): |
2.4 H x 11.5 W x 9.5 D |
|
|
|
| Addressing Modes: |
32-bit |
| Orig SSW: |
7.6 |
| Orig Enabler: |
PowerBook 3400 Enabler |
| ROM ID: |
$077D |
| ROM Ver: |
$36 |
| ROM Size: |
4MB |
| AppleTalk Ver: |
60.1.1 |
Mac OS
Supported: |
7.6
7.6.1
8.0 |
|
| Floppy Size: |
1.44MB |
| Floppy Inject: |
manual |
| Min. Int HD Size: |
3GB |
| Int HD Interface: |
ATA |
| Orig CD Speed |
12x |
| Int CD Support: |
yes |
|
PowerBook 3400c/200
| Logic Board |
Ports |
Power |
| Processor: |
603e, 200 MHz |
| PMMU: |
integrated |
| FPU: |
integrated |
| Data Path: |
64-bit, 40 MHz |
| L1 Cache: |
32K |
| L2 Cache: |
256K |
| 2nd Processor: |
none |
| Slots: |
2 Type II PC Card (1 Type III) |
|
| ADB: |
1 |
| Video: |
HDI-15 |
| Floppy: |
none |
| SCSI: |
HDI-30 |
| Geoports: |
1 |
| Ethernet: |
10baseT |
| FireWire: |
|
| Mic Type: |
PlainTalk |
| Other Ports: |
Printer, Speaker,
|
|
| Max Watts: |
45 |
| Amps: |
1.875 |
| BTU per Hr: |
153.9 |
| Voltage: |
100-220 |
| Freq Range: |
50-60 Hz |
| Battery Type: |
32 Wh Lithium Ion |
| Soft Power: |
yes |
|
| Memory |
Video Memory |
| Logic Board: |
16 MB |
| RAM Slots: |
1, PB 3400 |
| Min - Max RAM: |
16 MB - 144 MB |
| Min RAM Speed: |
60 ns |
| RAM Sizes: |
4-128 MB |
| Install in Groups of: |
1 |
| Notes: |
This system supports EDO RAM devices on its memory modules. |
|
| Resolution |
Video Memory
built-in LCD screen
(built in) |
| 512 x 384 |
n/a-bit |
| 640 x 400 |
n/a-bit |
| 640 x 480 |
n/a-bit |
| 800 x 600 |
16-bit |
| 832 x 624 |
n/a-bit |
| 1024 x 768 |
n/a-bit |
| 1152 x 870 |
n/a-bit |
| 1280 x 1024 |
n/a-bit |
|
| Physical |
Software |
Storage |
| Introduced: |
2/17/1997 |
| Discontinued: |
n/a |
| Form Factor: |
PowerBook 3400 |
| Gestalt ID: |
306 |
| Weight (lbs): |
7.2 |
| Dimensions (in): |
2.4 H x 11.5 W x 9.5 D |
|
|
|
| Addressing Modes: |
32-bit |
| Orig SSW: |
7.6 |
| Orig Enabler: |
PowerBook 3400 Enabler |
| ROM ID: |
$077D |
| ROM Ver: |
$36 |
| ROM Size: |
4MB |
| AppleTalk Ver: |
60.1.1 |
Mac OS
Supported: |
7.6
7.6.1
8.0 |
|
| Floppy Size: |
1.44MB |
| Floppy Inject: |
manual |
| Min. Int HD Size: |
2GB |
| Int HD Interface: |
ATA |
| Orig CD Speed |
6x |
| Int CD Support: |
yes |
|
PowerBook 3400c/180
| Logic Board |
Ports |
Power |
| Processor: |
603e, 180 MHz |
| PMMU: |
integrated |
| FPU: |
integrated |
| Data Path: |
64-bit, 40 MHz |
| L1 Cache: |
32K |
| L2 Cache: |
256K |
| 2nd Processor: |
none |
| Slots: |
2 Type II PC Card (1 Type III) |
|
| ADB: |
1 |
| Video: |
HDI-15 |
| Floppy: |
none |
| SCSI: |
HDI-30 |
| Geoports: |
1 |
| Ethernet: |
opt. 10baseT |
| FireWire: |
|
| Mic Type: |
PlainTalk |
| Other Ports: |
Printer, Speaker,
|
|
| Max Watts: |
45 |
| Amps: |
1.875 |
| BTU per Hr: |
153.9 |
| Voltage: |
100-220 |
| Freq Range: |
50-60 Hz |
| Battery Type: |
32 Wh Lithium Ion |
| Soft Power: |
yes |
|
| Memory |
Video Memory |
| Logic Board: |
16 MB |
| RAM Slots: |
1, PB 3400 |
| Min - Max RAM: |
16 MB - 144 MB |
| Min RAM Speed: |
60 ns |
| RAM Sizes: |
4-128 MB |
| Install in Groups of: |
1 |
| Notes: |
This system supports EDO RAM devices on its memory modules. |
|
| Resolution |
Video Memory
built-in LCD screen
(built in) |
| 512 x 384 |
n/a-bit |
| 640 x 400 |
n/a-bit |
| 640 x 480 |
n/a-bit |
| 800 x 600 |
16-bit |
| 832 x 624 |
n/a-bit |
| 1024 x 768 |
n/a-bit |
| 1152 x 870 |
n/a-bit |
| 1280 x 1024 |
n/a-bit |
|
| Physical |
Software |
Storage |
| Introduced: |
2/17/1997 |
| Discontinued: |
n/a |
| Form Factor: |
PowerBook 3400 |
| Gestalt ID: |
306 |
| Weight (lbs): |
7.2 |
| Dimensions (in): |
2.4 H x 11.5 W x 9.5 D |
|
|
|
| Addressing Modes: |
32-bit |
| Orig SSW: |
7.6 |
| Orig Enabler: |
PowerBook 3400 Enabler |
| ROM ID: |
$077D |
| ROM Ver: |
$36 |
| ROM Size: |
4MB |
| AppleTalk Ver: |
60.1.1 |
Mac OS
Supported: |
7.6
7.6.1
8.0 |
|
| Floppy Size: |
1.44MB |
| Floppy Inject: |
manual |
| Min. Int HD Size: |
1.3GB |
| Int HD Interface: |
ATA |
| Orig CD Speed |
6x |
| Int CD Support: |
yes |
|