PowerBook Duo · The Beige Era · 1994
PowerBook Duo 280c
The 280c was the Duo at its most desirable: small, dockable, color and much faster than the first models.
Fast 68040-class color Duo.
PowerBook Duo 2300c (1995)
PowerBook Duo 280c: key facts
When was the PowerBook Duo 280c released?
The PowerBook Duo 280c arrived on May 16, 1994. Apple discontinued it in November 1995.
How much did the PowerBook Duo 280c cost?
The PowerBook Duo 280c launched at $3,700 in 1994, about $7,881 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Motorola 68LC040 at 33 MHz, 4 MB RAM, 320 MB storage, 8.4" active-matrix color display.
Why does the PowerBook Duo 280c matter?
Fast 68040-class color Duo.
Full specifications
| CPU | Motorola 68LC040 · 33 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 MB (up to 40 MB) |
| Storage | 320 MB |
| Display | 8.4" active-matrix color |
| GPU | Integrated / NuBus video |
| Ports | SCSI, ADB, serial |
| Weight | Varies by configuration |
| Dimensions | Subnotebook dockable laptop |
| Operating system | System 7 |
| Released | May 16, 1994 |
| Discontinued | November 1995 |
| Launch price | $3,700 |
How the PowerBook Duo 280c 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 80 modern phone photos.
Launched at $3,700 in 1994, about $7,881 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 Duo models
Open the PowerBook Duo 280c in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11