PowerBook · The Beige Era · 1995
PowerBook 190
The 190 was the budget sibling to the infamous 5300 and the end of the 68k PowerBook line.
Last 68k PowerBook.
PowerBook 1400 (1996)
PowerBook 190: key facts
When was the PowerBook 190 released?
The PowerBook 190 arrived on August 28, 1995. Apple discontinued it in October 1996.
How much did the PowerBook 190 cost?
The PowerBook 190 launched at $1,650 in 1995, about $3,437 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Motorola 68LC040 at 33 MHz, 4 MB RAM, 500 MB storage, Passive-matrix grayscale or color display.
Why does the PowerBook 190 matter?
Last 68k PowerBook.
Full specifications
| CPU | Motorola 68LC040 · 33 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 MB (up to 40 MB) |
| Storage | 500 MB |
| Display | Passive-matrix grayscale or color |
| GPU | Integrated / NuBus video |
| Ports | SCSI, ADB, serial |
| Weight | Varies by configuration |
| Dimensions | Clamshell laptop |
| Operating system | System 7 |
| Released | August 28, 1995 |
| Discontinued | October 1996 |
| Launch price | $1,650 |
How the PowerBook 190 compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 4,100× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 33 MHz, the clock is roughly 97× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
All of this storage holds about 125 modern phone photos.
Launched at $1,650 in 1995, about $3,437 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Related PowerBook models
Open the PowerBook 190 in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11