PowerBook 2400c

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Overview

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The PowerBook 2400c was designed to replace the discontinued Duo series with something very small and light (just 4.4 lb./2.0 kg). Although the keyboard is slightly smaller than usual, those who have 2400s just love these small PowerBooks.

Memory expansion is limited to 112 MB, which can be extended by the use of RAM Doubler or Virtual Memory. Using a hard drive larger than 3 GB may preclude the use of SCSI Disk Mode, according to PowerBook Hard Drives: The Essential Upgrade.

Warning

According to the Road Warrior and Other World Computing, the drive controller in pre-G4 PowerBooks is incompatible with ATA-6 hard drives.

Details

2400c/180 introduced May 8, 1997; discontinued
2400c/240 introduced April 7, 1998; discontinued
requires System 7.6 through 9.1
CPU: 180/240 MHz PPC 603e
bus: 40 MHz
Performance: 294, MacBench 4
ROM: 4 MB
RAM: 16 MB, expandable to 112 MB
Level 2 cache: 256 KB
VRAM: 1 MB
display: 10.4" 16-bit 800 x 600 color dual-scan or active matrix
video out: VGA port
hard drive: 1.3 GB EIDE
CD-ROM: none
ADB: 1 port for keyboard and mouse
serial: 1 DIN-8 RS-422 port on back of computer
SCSI: HDI30 connector on back of computer
PC Card slots: 2
gestalt: 307
size: 1.9" x 10.5" x 8.5"
weight: 4.4 pounds with battery
power supply: M5937

Online Resources

Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to Mac OS 9, 2008 edition, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.05.12. Declared dead by Steve Jobs 6 years ago, Mac OS 9 remains fast and stable, but Classic software hasn't kept up with Web changes. What Macs support OS 9, where to buy it, and how to update to version 9.2.2.
10 cult Macs adored by collectors, Tamara Keel, Digital Fossils, 2008.05.13. Macs are not only noted for their longevity, but also by the passion which collectors have for some of the most interesting models ever made.
EmpowerBook, Tamara Keel, Digital Fossils, 2008.04.22. The goal: distraction-free writing on the go. But which PowerBook or iBook is best for the job?
Wireless FAQ for Older Apple PowerBook Computers. Resources to help you to install and maintain 802.11b/g wireless PC Cards on older PowerBook computers.
The Complete and Utter Guide to PC Cards and Expansion Bays on the PowerBook, Insanely Great. All about the PCMCIA, PC Card, or CardBus slots used in various PowerBooks.
Solving Mac startup problems, Adam Rosen, Adam's Apple, 2007.12.12. When your old Mac won't boot, the most likely culprits are a dead PRAM battery or a failed (or failing) hard drive.
Better and safer surfing with Internet Explorer and the Classic Mac OS, Max Wallgren, Mac Daniel, 2007.11.06. Tips on which browsers work best with different Mac OS versions plus extra software to clean cookies and caches, detect viruses, handle downloads, etc.
Apple's first subnotebooks: The PowerBook Duo family and the PowerBook 2400c, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.09.04. With rampant rumors of a subnotebook MacBook Pro, it's a good time to look back at Apple's earlier attempts at subnotebook computers.
Silence is golden: Running your existing notebook using flash memory, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Reviews, 2007.05.23. With a new adapter from Addonics, you can replace your laptop's IDE hard drive inexpensively and boot silently from a Compact Flash card.
Appearance Manager allows Internet Explorer 5.1.7 to work with Mac OS 7.6.1, Max Wallgren, Mac Daniel, 2007.05.23. Want a fairly modern browser with an old, fast operating system? Mac OS 7.6.1 plus the Appearance Manager and Internet Explorer may be just what you want.
Format any drive for older Macs with patched Apple tools, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2007.04.25. Apple HD SC Setup and Drive Setup only work with Apple branded hard drives - until you apply the patches linked to this article.
First Blu-ray drive for Apple's 'Books, replace notebook hard drive with Compact Flash, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.04.13. Also 160 GB 7200 rpm hard drives, upgrading from a MacBook Pro to a MacBook, Waterfield's flexible new Sling bag, bargain 'Books from $170 to $1,699, and more.
Fluffy Rainbows, James & John, RetroMacCast, 2007.02.25. Looking at the PowerBook 2400, AppleTech, favorite Classic Mac resources, the first issue of MacAddict, and more.
System 7 Today, advocates of Apple's 'orphan' Mac OS 7.6.1, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2006.10.26. Why Mac OS 7.6.1 is far better for 68040 and PowerPC Macs than System 7.5.x.
30 days of old school computing: Increasing battery life with a RAM disk, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.09.14. When using the hard drive, the old battery ran out of juice within 30 minutes, but running from a RAM disk it still has a 50% charge after half an hour.
Mac OS 8 and 8.1: Maximum size, maximum convenience, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2006.09.11. Mac OS 8 and 8.1 add some useful new features and tools, and it can even be practical on 68030-based Macs.
Inside your notebook's battery: Ordinary AA Li-Ion cells, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.09.08. That expensive battery in your notebook computer probably holds less than $30 worth of off-the-shelf AA Li-Ion batteries.
Customizing Mac OS 9, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.08.01. Fiddling with themes, picking a browser, and making the Classic Mac OS work just the way you want it to.
Compact Flash with SCSI Macs, PB 1400 CD-RW upgrade problems, and Web incompatibilities, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2006.06.16. Suggested ways to use Compact Flash with vintage Macs and PowerBooks, problems getting CD-RW to work with a PowerBook 1400, and more thoughts on website incompatibilities.
System 7.6.1 is perfect for many older Macs, John Martorana, That Old Mac Magic, 2006.03.24. Want the best speed from your old Mac? System 7.6.1 can give you that with a fairly small memory footprint - also helpful on older Macs.
Web browser tips for the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.01.03. Tips on getting the most out of WaMCom, Mozilla, Internet Explorer, iCab, Opera, and WannaBe using the classic Mac OS.
The best browsers for PowerPC Macs and the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2005.12.16. Two browsers stand out from the pack: iCab 3 is modern and remains under development, and WaMCom brings Mozilla to older Macs.
Why you should use Mac OS 7.6 to get the most out of vintage Macs, Thomas Ahart, The Productive Mac, 2005.12.12. Although you may be able to run OS 8 or 9 on your old Mac, you'll generally find better performance using Mac OS 7.6.
Wirelessly Networking a PowerBook 1400 or Other Old Apple Laptop: Step By Step, Derek K Miller, Penmachine.com, 2003.04.12, updated 2004.05.17. You can put one of these older 'Books on an AirPort (802.11b) network for under US$50.
Flash memory improves PowerBook, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2002.11.14. Using Compact Flash to boot, save files, run silently, extend battery life, and as virtual memory on a PowerBook.
PowerBook 2400: A true Tokyo rose, Leander Kahney, Wired, 2002.03.26. "An old Apple laptop that sold poorly when it was released in Japan a few years ago has subsequently achieved cult status...."
SCSI and FireWire Disk Modes, Paulo Rodrigues, Tangerine Fusion, 2000.11.29. How to use SCSI Disk Mode and FireWire Target Disk Mode for ultrafast file transfers.
Interware 400 MHz G3 for PowerBook 2400c, Jake Jack, 7/17/00. Almost double the speed of NUpower 240 MHz G3 upgrade and five times faster than original 180 MHz 603e.
Recovering a stolen PowerBook, The 'Book Page. One user's experience.
mac2400
PowerBook 2400 memory pricing, ramseeker
Extremely Private PB2400c Page
Tokyo time: The subnotebook appeal, MacWeek, 8/9/99
PowerBook Duo/2400 List
PowerBooks email list
Apple TIL 30140: PowerBook 2400 Series: Frequently Asked Questions
Technical specifications for 2400c/180, Apple Knowledge Base Archive

Cautions

From Apple Knoweldge Base Archive Article 24128: On PowerBook 2400 and 3400 systems, Password Security software is not compatible with Mac OS 8.0. Other PowerBook systems are not affected.
From Apple Knoweldge Base Archive Article 30340: Mac OS 8.1 will not install the new Password Security control panel on a PowerBook 2400 or 3400 unless it already exists in the Control Panels folder. As noted in Article 24128, Password Security is not compatible with these models under OS 8.1 and should not be used.

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