Apple PowerBook 100

Apple PowerBook 100 was introduced in 21 October 1991 as the smallest of the first PowerBooks, based on a redesigned Macintosh Portable architecture. It used a Motorola 68000 at 16 MHz with 2MB standard; expandable to 8MB. Compact Sony-designed case placed the pointing device centrally below the keyboard.

Its keyboard-behind-trackball layout established the ergonomic form followed by most later laptops.

Notable Features

• Compact Sony-designed case placed the pointing device centrally below the keyboard.
• External floppy drive reduced size and weight.
• Passive-matrix display and 68000 processor distinguished it from the larger PowerBook 140 and 170.

Historical Significance

• Its keyboard-behind-trackball layout established the ergonomic form followed by most later laptops.
• Its place in the range reflects Apple's progression from the original compact Macintosh toward broader professional, educational and portable markets.

Collector’s Notes

• Display capacitors, hinges and the unusual external floppy drive are common preservation concerns
• Original keyboards, mice, storage devices and model-specific accessories help document a complete period configuration.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Apple PowerBook 100
Manufacturer	Apple
Launched	Monday, October 21, 1991
Country	United States
CPU	Motorola 68000 at 16 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	System 6.0.8L through System 7.5.5
I/O	SCSI, serial, modem, external floppy and audio
Keyboard	Integrated keyboard and palm-rest trackball
Storage	Internal SCSI hard disk; external floppy drive
Sound	Eight-bit mono sound
Graphics	640 x 400 one-bit graphics
Display	Built-in 9-inch 640 x 400 monochrome passive-matrix LCD
ROM	256KB ROM
RAM	2MB standard; expandable to 8MB
CPU Speed	16 MHz