In 1992, Apple unveiled the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210, a groundbreaking addition to their Macintosh PowerBook series. While its lifespan was short-lived, this portable notebook left an indelible mark on the world of technology, setting new standards for laptops that followed.
The Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210 was officially launched on October 19, 1992, and quickly garnered attention for its innovative design. Weighing a mere 4.2 pounds, Apple achieved this remarkable lightweight profile by eliminating the internal floppy drive and implementing other size- and weight-saving measures. It was a true pioneer in dockable Macs, making it possible to seamlessly transition from a portable notebook to a desktop Macintosh by connecting it to the dedicated Duo Dock.
Equipped with a 25 MHz Motorola 68030 processor, a 9.1-inch monochrome LCD display, 4 MB of RAM, and an 80 MB hard drive, the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210 was a capable computing machine for its time. Its 4-bit passive-matrix screen resembled that of the PowerBook 160, which weighed significantly more at 6.8 pounds. Though not as powerful as modern devices, the Duo 210 represented a major leap forward in terms of portability and convenience.
While the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210 introduced groundbreaking features, it did have a few limitations. Due to its slim form factor, it lacked an internal floppy drive, external hard drive support, SCSI device compatibility, direct connection to an external display, and standalone network capabilities. These functionalities were only available when the notebook was docked into the Duo Dock. Unfortunately, these limitations and the emergence of more advanced models led to the discontinuation of the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210 on October 21, 1993, after just one year on the market.
Despite its relatively short lifespan, the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210 remains a significant part of Apple’s history and the evolution of portable computing. Its innovative design and engineering showcased Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology. The PB Duo 210 set the stage for future laptops by demonstrating the potential for seamless transitions between portable and desktop experiences. It laid the groundwork for the integration of features we now take for granted in modern laptops.
As we look back at the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210 on its 31-year anniversary, we recognize its game-changing impact on the world of portable computing. This pioneering notebook showcased Apple’s dedication to innovation and design excellence while setting new standards for future laptops. Though no longer in production, the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210 will forever be remembered as a historical relic that shaped the trajectory of portable computing, leaving an enduring legacy within Apple’s rich technological heritage.
Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210 Details
| Introduced | October 19, 1992 |
| Discontinued | October 21, 1993 |
| Model Identifier | 29 |
| Model Number | M4161LL/A |
| Original Price | $2,250 |
| 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 |
PowerBook Duo 210 Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | Motorola 68030 |
| Processor Speed | 25 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 25 MHz |
| Cache | 0.5 KB L1 |
| Coprocessor | None |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 80 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 |
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 |
Software
| Original OS | System Software 7.1 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS 7.6.1 |
| Firmware | Macintosh ROM |
Power
| System Battery | PowerBook Duo Type I (NiMH) |
| Backup Battery | Unknown |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 25 W |
| Line Voltage | Unknown |
| Power Adapter | Unknown |
Further Reading and References
- Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- PowerBook Duo 210 – Low End Mac
- PowerBook Duo 210 – Wikipedia
- Apple Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210 – Old Crap
- PowerBook 200 Series Service Source (PDF) – Apple Repair Manuals
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: June 25, 2023
