Apple PowerBook 5300

Apple PowerBook 5300 was introduced in 28 August 1995. It was Apple's first PowerPC notebook and introduced PC Card slots and a removable expansion bay. It combined PowerPC 603e at 100 MHz with 8MB; expandable to 64MB.

Battery recalls, fragile plastics and performance compromises damaged its reputation despite an influential modular design.

Notable Features

• It was Apple's first PowerPC notebook and introduced PC Card slots and a removable expansion bay.
• Its PowerPC 603e at 100 MHz and 8MB; expandable to 64MB configuration defined this model within Apple's changing product range.
• Battery recalls, fragile plastics and performance compromises damaged its reputation despite an influential modular design.

Historical Significance

• Battery recalls, fragile plastics and performance compromises damaged its reputation despite an influential modular design.
• The model records a distinct hardware, enclosure or market stage rather than a storage-only configuration.

Collector’s Notes

• Processor speed, display type, regional branding and original model label should be checked when identifying a surviving system.
• Original power supplies, keyboards, media and expansion accessories add useful historical context.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Apple PowerBook 5300
Manufacturer	Apple
Launched	Monday, August 28, 1995
Country	United States
CPU	PowerPC 603e at 100 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	System 7.5.2 through Mac OS 9.1
I/O	SCSI, serial, ADB, PC Card, modem and audio
Keyboard	Integrated keyboard and trackpad
Storage	IDE hard disk and removable floppy or other expansion-bay device
Sound	16-bit stereo sound
Graphics	640 x 480 graphics
Display	Built-in 640 x 480 monochrome or colour LCD depending on model
ROM	4MB ROM
RAM	8MB; expandable to 64MB
CPU Speed	100 MHz