Retro Review: PowerBook 1400cs

Originally published in 1997 by Steve Hildreth:

My initial impression of the 1400cs is that it’s an extremely solid machine. The keyboard is metal based, giving the keys a solid, crisp feel. The dual-scan, passive matrix screen is huge and bright, and the 800×600 resolution provides the same working space as a 17-inch monitor. The active matrix screen would be even better, of course, but it just wasn’t worth the extra $1000, and I’m glad I didn’t spend it. The trackpad is smooth, and with click & drag capabilities, is a snap to use.

It comes with a full array of installed software, including System 7.5.3, Claris Works and Claris Organizer, Apple Internet Connection Kit (Netscape, Claris E-Mailer, etc.), and a bunch of other stuff. This is a true plug and play machine. The 750 MB hard drive is sufficient for me (for now), and my Zip drive can handle any overflow. After much tinkering, the system software is now taking up about 8 MB, leaving 16 MB for other software. I plan to buy more RAM soon to take up the slack. A word to Apple: Include more RAM with your new PowerBooks. 12 or even 16 MB just doesn’t cut it these days.

Installing extra RAM and the optional video card was practically a no-brainer. Pop the speaker grill, pull back the keyboard, remove the six screws securing the heat sink, and the 1400’s innards are exposed. The video card pops in with no problems. Two small screws on the back side of the ‘Book secure it. The RAM card was a little tighter, and it took a couple of tries to get the card lined up with the plastic edge guide provided inside the right side of the ‘Book. All in all, it probably took 20 minutes or so, but I was moving slowly and very carefully. When I install more RAM in the future, I don’t expect it to take more than 10 minutes.

With minimal power conservation (AppleTalk off, screen slightly dimmed), I am getting 1-2 hours from the battery. That’s really not much improvement over my old 165c and no where near the 4 hours quoted by Apple.

Rating

At the time: A-

General

• 117-MHz PowerPC 603e
• 133 or 166 MHz PowerPC 603e with 128K level 2 cache
• 16MB RAM standard, maximum 64MB via one RAM slot (can piggy-back two RAM cards)
• 750MB (1400cs/117) or 1GB (1400cs/133 & 166) hard drive
• Sleep-swappable 6x, 8x, or 12x CD-ROM drive module, except in some base 1400cs/117 models.

Ports

• 1 serial
• ADB
• audio in
• audio out
• video out (optional)
• HDI-30 SCSI
• IR
• 1 expansion bay
• 2 PC card slots

Display

• Passive-matrix 1000’s of colors
• 11.3"
• 800×600 resolution

Weight

• 7.0 pounds with CD-ROM drive installed
• 6.7 pounds with floppy drive installed

Battery

• 30 watt-hour nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH)

Sound

• 16-bit, CD-quality stereo sound capable of driving headphones or external speakers
• Built-in speaker and integrated microphone
• Digital-to-analog conversion sampled at 44.1, 22.05, or 11.025 kHz
• 16-bit audio line-in for recording

Size

• Height: 2.0 in. (5.2 cm)
• Width: 11.5 in. (29.2 cm)
• Depth: 9.0 in. (22.5 cm)

Apple’s Specifications:

PowerBook 1400cs/166
     

PowerBook 1400cs/133
     

PowerBook 1400cs/117