PowerBook Duo · The Beige Era · 1994
PowerBook Duo 280
The 280 brought 68040 muscle to the Duo, making the dock-at-home, carry-the-rest concept genuinely fast for the people who swore by it.
68040-class speed in the dockable Duo body.
PowerBook Duo 2300c (1995)
PowerBook Duo 280: key facts
When was the PowerBook Duo 280 released?
The PowerBook Duo 280 arrived in May 1994. Apple discontinued it in January 1996.
How much did the PowerBook Duo 280 cost?
The PowerBook Duo 280 launched at $2,609 in 1994 — about $5,557 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Motorola 68LC040 at 33 MHz, 4 MB RAM, 240 MB storage, 9.1" active-matrix grayscale display.
Why does the PowerBook Duo 280 matter?
68040-class speed in the dockable Duo body.
Full specifications
| CPU | Motorola 68LC040 · 33 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 MB (up to 40 MB) |
| Storage | 240 MB |
| Display | 9.1" active-matrix grayscale |
| GPU | Integrated / NuBus video |
| Ports | SCSI, ADB, serial |
| Weight | Varies by configuration |
| Dimensions | Subnotebook dockable laptop |
| Operating system | System 7 |
| Released | May 1994 |
| Discontinued | January 1996 |
| Launch price | $2,609 |
How the PowerBook Duo 280 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 60 modern phone photos.
Launched at $2,609 in 1994 — about $5,557 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Related PowerBook Duo models
Open the PowerBook Duo 280 in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-06-29