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55-549: The PowerBook Duo is a line of subnotebooks manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from 1992 until 1997 as a more compact companion to the PowerBook line. Improving upon the PowerBook 100 's portability (its immediate predecessor and Apple's third-smallest laptop), the Duo came in seven different models. They were the Duo 210 , 230 , 250, 270c, 280, 280c, and 2300c, with the 210 and 230 being

110-480: A floppy drive on the side, two NuBus expansion slots, an optional floating-point unit (FPU), level 2 cache, a slot for more VRAM to enable more colors at higher resolutions, and space for a second hard drive. The original Duo Dock was replaced by the Duo Dock II on May 16, 1994, which added AAUI networking and compatibility with the newer color-screen PowerBook Duos. A replacement lid was offered to allow use of

165-454: A GPU, or a liquid cooling radiator. Port replicators (sometimes referred to as passthroughs) are functionally and logically identical to a bundle of extension cables , except that they are plugged in and unplugged together through the device. Some also include electrical adaptors to change from one pinout to another (e.g., Micro-DVI to normal DVI connector.) Often Bus-Powered and small form factor, they functionally duplicate ports from

220-561: A battery which was intended to be standard rather than only useful for Compaq products. IBM released a Palm Top PC (handheld laptop with 4.7" screen) in 1995. IBM had sold "thin and light" models in its ThinkPad range, such as the ThinkPad 560 ultraportable (1996) and best-selling ThinkPad 600 (1998). It finally entered the subnotebook market in 1999 with the 1.3 kg ThinkPad 240 , targeted at business travellers. The 240 and 240X had 10.4″ screens. Later, however, IBM replaced these with

275-776: A few notable smaller-than subnotebook PCs at this time, including the Atari Portfolio and HP 95LX — both very small MS-DOS machines, roughly comparable in size to later handheld PCs. At the end of 1992, PCMag magazine described two models as subnotebooks: these were the Gateway HandBook the Dell 320SLi (both less than a 1.6 kg weight), and another was released in Italy: the Olivetti Quaderno . Apple and Compaq did not label their machines as "subnotebooks" in this period, but

330-799: A high-speed USB-C or Thundertbolt interface. A regular notebook/laptop that does not include CPU, GPU, RAM and/or storage. A smartphone is inserted into the empty space within to act as a replacement for those missing features. Those docks are sometimes referred to as lapdocks or LapDock, a portmanteau of laptop and dock. Mobile docking stations, also sometimes referred to as vehicle mounts , provide stable platforms for notebook, laptop and tablet operation in vehicles. Many industries have adopted mobile computing and hence operators wish to have their vehicles fully equipped as mobile field offices, commonly referred to as mobile offices . As of 2015 organizations use mobile docking stations in sectors such as (for example): enforcement, electricity, telecommunications,

385-433: A metal chassis (trademark is still active) The Epson HX-20 , released in 1982, was the first portable computer to be classified by journalists as a " notebook computer ". This nomenclature derives from its footprint roughly occupying the same dimensions as an A4 -sized notebook, small enough to fit inside a briefcase. The similarly designed TRS-80 Model 100 from 1983 was the first commercially successful notebook and

440-464: A new system branding called Ultrabooks ; these very much match the prior description of subnotebooks - they used lower-powered processors (but not as low-end as netbooks) and with each generation of Intel processors, the lower-powered U-series processors became a larger part of mainstream sales. typically lacked optical drives and legacy ports, and were generally compact, but as marketed the two terms were rarely used together. Noticeable releases: In 2007

495-581: A permanently-attached keyboard intended for two-handed typing. Prior to this convergence, subnotebooks were also distinguished from netbooks and ultra-mobile PCs , based on both size and market position. Subnotebooks run full desktop class operating systems. Classic subnotebooks were smaller than full-sized laptops but larger than handheld computers . They were distinguished by smaller screens and bodies and lighter weights relative to contemporaneous laptops. The savings in size and weight were often achieved partly by omitting ports , and these were typically

550-511: A range of converters such as USB display adapters or a full external GPU (eGPU), audio chipsets , NICs , storage enclosures , modems and memory card readers , or even PCI Express card slots connected through an internal USB hub or PCI Express bridge to give the host computer access to extra connections it did not previously possess. Because they are generally vendor neutral, they often support external device charging, more external monitors, and are more flexible to install. They are often

605-453: A reduced amount of time. Popular due to the minimal impact in accessories that must be carried with the Duo, they offered a practical alternative to emergency hard disk and software situations and task-specific needs. The 2300 was the last Apple product to carry any vestige of the Snow White design language , which Apple had been phasing out since 1990. Drawing heavily upon improvements made to

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660-521: A special, often proprietary, connector that consolidates the signals from many concealed traces from onboard external buses into one connector. As such, the dock can offer a greater number of ports than is physically present on the computer. This allows the basic unit to have fewer physical ports while still allowing users a way to access to the full range of features of its motherboard. Most companies that produce laptops with such breakout ports also offer simpler adapters that grant access to one or two of

715-413: A specific type of device. A dock can allow some laptop computers to become a substitute for a desktop computer , without sacrificing the mobile computing functionality of the machine. Portable computers can dock and undock hot, cold or standby, depending on the abilities of the system. In a cold dock or undock , one completely shuts the computer down before docking/undocking. In a hot dock or undock ,

770-598: Is credited with spawning an industry of smaller portable computers. Like the HX-20, the Model 100 was smaller than contemporary clam-shell machines; both use a slate form factor, with no hinge and the keyboard and screen on the same plane. The Model 100's later sibling the Tandy 200 was a clam-shell design and smaller than contemporary laptops. The NEC UltraLite , launched in 1988, was the first clamshell "notebook computer" compatible with

825-559: The ASUS Eee PC became the first of a new class of low-cost laptops commonly called netbooks . Netbooks are typically based upon the Atom processors, while other subnotebooks use more powerful processors such as ULV types. In 2008, Apple introduced the MacBook Air , which the company claimed was the world's thinnest notebook. This model was notable for offering no built-in optical drive. In

880-517: The IBM PC , a platform whose market share dominated the microcomputer industry throughout the 1980s onward. Its relatively small dimensions — 48 × 220 × 280 mm (1.4 × 8.3 × 11.75 inches) — matched those of a pair of stacked US Letter (similar to A4 ) size paper notebooks. Owing to its lack of a floppy drive (in favor of proprietary solid-state storage), the UltraLite did not see massive uptake by

935-515: The Pentium 4 mobile chips, the mobile Pentium III remained available because of high power consumption on the Pentium 4 leading to high heat and short battery life. This was followed by the Pentium M , which was a dedicated line of mobile processors with no desktop equivalent. This era also featured processors from Transmeta , intended to be extremely power efficient. One of the most notable Sony models

990-785: The Portege T3400 and T3400CT, claiming that "It's the first subnotebook computer with all the functionality of a much larger computer"; the T3400CT was the first subnotebook with a color screen. in 1995, Tosbiba introduced the Libretto 20 , with a 6.1″ screen; CNet reported about the Libretto 50CT that "[it] is the first full-fledged Windows 95 notebook in the United States weighing less than two pounds". Compaq introduced its own short lived subnotebook line in 1994 called Contura Aero , notable for using

1045-455: The PowerBook 100 series - the PowerBook 170 and 180 (in which the Duos shared the same processors). With their crisp active matrix displays, both were already in great demand over the lower-powered models with passive matrix displays. The following year, Apple replaced the Duo models with both an active matrix display and a color active matrix display, the latter becoming the de facto standard of

1100-532: The PowerBook Duo and Compaq LTE Lite otherwise qualify, and both lines were among the first to broadly popularize docking stations . Another early model was the Hewlett-Packard OmniBook 300 , which was launched as a "superportable" in 1993; it was one of the first examples to use a flash memory disk instead of a hard drive, to reduce the weight. Toshiba , also entered the market that year with

1155-556: The Ultrabook branding for premium thin-and-light laptops. Over the next several years, specific marketing of laptops as "subnotebooks" died out, and since 2017 the term is essentially dead in mainstream branding. As of the early 2020s plenty of smaller laptops remain on the market which could adequately be described as subnotebooks, ranging from the likes of the GPD Pocket (7-inch display) to Microsoft Surface Laptop Go (12-inch display), and

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1210-630: The Duo Docks. This led to poor system and video performance. According to Apple, all of these models are obsolete. PowerBook Duos lacked most common ports (featuring only one internal printer/modem serial port and an optional fax/modem card port). In their place was docking ability , accomplished via a unique 156-pin Processor Direct Slot (PDS) giving the docks full access to the Duo's central processing unit (CPU) and data buses . Several dock options were offered by Apple and third parties. This

1265-459: The Duo was a dual printer/modem EIA-422 serial port. There was a slot for an expensive, optional, internal 14.4 Express Modem and no provision for built-in Ethernet. This somewhat limited configuration meant the only way to move data in or out of the laptop in a stock configuration, without purchasing additional accessories, was via a relatively slow AppleTalk connection, which was not practical in

1320-519: The Duo's internal LCD and battery to be used. Third-party contributions to the Mini Dock added a variety of specialized custom options including Ethernet connectivity, NTSC and PAL video ports. The only significant difference between these docks and a full desktop configuration was the lack of custom PDS or NuBus expansion slots, which were included on all standard desktop Macs, a shortfall made up in task-specific third-party dock offerings. This type of dock

1375-482: The PowerBook line. The respective Duo models are easily differentiated by their display method and processor. All other features are identical. The 200–series Duos were powered by either Motorola 68030 or 68LC040 processors, ranging from 25–33 MHz. When Apple debuted its next-generation PowerPC processors in 1994, it took over a year for the first PowerPC Duo (the 2300c) to debut. The original PowerPC 601 , like

1430-492: The US in 1997 as the VAIO 505GX. This was followed by the even thinner Sony VAIO X505, which measured just 0.8 × 8.2 × 10.2 inches, and reached 0.3″ at its thinnest. However, it was very expensive and had poor battery life, and was soon withdrawn. Apple replaced the aging PowerBook Duo line with relatively light-weight (4.4 lb (2.0 kg)) but short-lived PowerBook 2400c ; this

1485-507: The X range, with 12.1″ screens. In 1997 Mitsubishi Electric released ultra-compact 12.1" Mitsubishi Pedion laptop line with ultrathin magnesium case (18 × 218 × 297 mm) and chiclet keyboard. This short-living model line was sold only in Japan, and was discontinued after some hardware issues. Sony launched an ultraportable (ultrathin) less than an inch thick in Japan - the PCG-505, which reached

1540-453: The ability to position the computer in a vehicle in a safe and ergonomic position. As with all docking stations, a mobile docking station will provide the user with a means to quickly and easily dock and undock the computer. In addition, some mobile docking stations provide a security lock to discourage theft. Basic components in the design of computer vehicle mounts include: Docking systems are shipped in their individual components, requiring

1595-510: The buses consolidated in them at a time. Similar to a breakout device, some docking stations produce multiple connections from one port, only instead of extracting them from internal chipsets, they create them inside the dock using converters. They are functionally identical to a hub with various converters plugged in. Often using proprietary connections and usually meant to be permanently installed, these self-powered docks are intended for specific models of notebooks and would require upgrading at

1650-458: The computer remains running when docked/undocked. Standby docking or undocking, an intermediate style used in some designs, allows the computer to be docked/undocked while powered on, but requires that it be placed into a sleep mode prior to docking/undocking. Docking stations can be broadly split up into five basic varieties. This type of dock provides some sort of hardware expansion for the device docked to it, such as an external storage drive,

1705-412: The device to easily access more of the existing ports like: SD cards, peripherals, audio jacks, etc. as well as external display(s). A breakout dock is conceptually a breakout box in the form of a dock. It is an extension to a typical port replicator in that it not only replicates existing ports already on the computer, but also offers additional ports. Modern computers most often accomplish this by using

PowerBook Duo - Misplaced Pages Continue

1760-438: The earliest, and the 2300c being the final version before the entire line was dropped in early 1997. Weighing 4.1 pounds (1.9 kg) and slightly smaller than a sheet of paper at 10.9 in × 8.5 in (280 mm × 220 mm), and only 1.4 in (36 mm) thick, it was the lightest and smallest of all of Apple's PowerBooks at the time, and remains one of Apple's smallest notebooks ever produced. The Duo had

1815-413: The event of hard drive problems. Compensating for these limitations, the initial Duo offering provided for a considerably higher RAM limit of 24 MB (as compared to the 100 series' 14 MB), and a standard 80 MB hard drive (versus the 100's 40 MB drive). The debut year for the Duo only offered a passive matrix display on both the mid-level and high-end models, in contrast to the high-end of

1870-542: The failing of the capacitors which drive the docking mechanism. This is colloquially known as 'The Duo Dock Tick of Death'. The Mini Dock was a port expander for the PowerBook Duo and was popularly offered by many third-party manufacturers and Apple. When attached, the PowerBook Duo could be plugged into various standard desktop devices including SCSI , Apple Desktop Bus (ADB), serial , floppy disk , external speakers, and an external display. This type of dock also allowed

1925-415: The first machines to omit optical disc drives or on some of the earliest models, floppy disk drives. They were also some of the first systems which could be paired with docking stations to compensate. One notable form-factor of subnotebook-oriented docks were "slice docks" — a more transportable version of the classic docking station. 2018-current (Asia only) most often Intel Atom particularly

1980-741: The general public. The first commercially successful notebook in this vein, the Compaq LTE , was released in 1989 to critical acclaim and high sales. The success of the LTE convinced IBM and Apple to release their own slimmer laptops, starting with the PS/2 Model L40 SX and the PowerBook 100 , respectively. IBM replaced the L40 SX with the PS/2 note in early 1992 and the ThinkPad line in late 1992. There were also

2035-532: The go-to choice for mixed device offices/workplaces to ease complications in deployments. Notebook/laptop stands are sometimes referred to as docking stations, They are an accessory designed to physically support a computer that is placed on it, typically to raise its screen up to a more ergonomic height, provide cooling, or just to conserve desk space. Some more sophisticated versions actually include advanced interfaces allowing high-quality video, high-speed USB and up to 10Gb Ethernet connections. These typically have

2090-703: The introduction of the Intel Atom , ultra-low-voltage processors which has since having become mainstream, and the use of ARM microprocessors. Another notable implementation was a migrate from CCFL screen backlit to more energy-efficiently and compact LED-backlit screens. On the other hand, over the course of the 2010s, with growing of sales for mainstream users, optical drives and legacy ports became uncommon, and some classic subnotebook features (like additional replaceable batteries, alternative input methods, docking options, Smart Cards, mobile broadband modules, additional storage) become rare. At Computex 2011 Intel announced

2145-403: The listed docks pulled the laptop inside the dock's metal and plastic case via an internal sliding mechanism (similar to that of a VHS recorder). The Duo Dock turned the PowerBook Duo into a full-size, AC-powered, fully functional desktop computer with all the standard ports. Like a desktop computer, the dock could physically support a heavy, high-resolution CRT display on top. The Duo Dock included

2200-488: The military, emergency medical services , fire, construction, insurance, real-estate, agriculture, oil, gas, transportation, warehousing, food-distribution, surveying, and landscaping. Some manufacturers design mobile docking stations specially to withstand the rigors of travel; such products may have MIL-STD 810E construction specifications for vibration and impact. Mobile docking stations usually come mated to an armature, laptop desk or standard rack in order to provide

2255-536: The most in common with the original MacBook Air which only included one USB 2.0 port, one video port (requiring an adapter) and one speaker port, but no ability for expansion. The PowerBook Duo line was replaced by the PowerBook 2400 , which was slightly larger in size than the Duos, but still only the fifth-smallest behind the 12-inch PowerBook G4 which succeeded it as fourth-smallest. Although both featured much more onboard functionality, they lacked docking ability. The Duo line offered an ultraportable design that

PowerBook Duo - Misplaced Pages Continue

2310-482: The most stylish and iconic of the laptops available at the time, the Duo was widely used in advertising, film and television. Subnotebook As typical laptop sizes have decreased over the course of the 2010s, and other distinguishing features have become mainstream, the distinction between regular-size and 'subnotebook' laptops has largely disappeared. To the extent that it still exists, 'subnotebook' could be defined as machines with screen smaller than 13" but with

2365-423: The original 68040 before it, produced too much heat and consumed too much power for Apple to use in any laptop but, by the end of 1995, the more efficient PowerPC 603e had been developed, which was featured in the Duo 2300c and its full-size companion, the PowerBook 5300 series. The PowerPC 603e was designed for a 64–bit bus, but was engineered by Apple to run on an older 32–bit bus to maintain compatibility with

2420-501: The original PowerBook 140 design, the Duo series continues many of the styling traits of the PowerBook 100 , which is approximately equivalent in size and weight. In addition to the Snow White features, the Duo takes the 100's radius curves a step further along the display top, front, and sides, and which is also heavily mirrored in the various docks. The PenLite was an early tablet computer prototyped by Apple Computer in 1993 around

2475-507: The same time as the Apple Newton . It was not a PDA but rather a complete computer. The project was canceled in 1994 due to its similarity to the Newton. The PenLite was based on the PowerBook Duo and was meant to be a tablet-style addition, with a stylus as the input device. It was designed to be compatible with PowerBook Duo docks and accessories and ran the standard classic Mac OS . One of

2530-472: The same time as the notebook. Often, OEM docks contain a wired internet connection, dual displays, and a range of USB and Audio connections. Functionally similar to OEM docks, but available in seemingly endless combinations, self-powered non-OEM docks still produce multiple connections from one port, only instead of extracting them from internal chipsets, they create them inside the dock using converters. Typically USB-C or Thunderbolt-3 based, they incorporate

2585-572: The same year Lenovo released last widely known hi-end 12" subnotebook line without touchpad, the ThinkPad X200, X200s and X200 Tablet models. In 2010 saw a number of semi-rugged low-end subnotebooks for the education market, including the Dell Latitude 2100, Lenovo ThinkPad x100e, and HP ProBook Education Edition; these notably had laptop charging trolley support. In 2011, the first Chromebooks were introduced by Google, and Intel's introduced

2640-535: The term is still sometimes used informally although is no longer used by manufacturers. Docking station#Hybrid Dock In computing , a docking station , port replicator ( hub ), or dock provides a simplified way to plug-in a mobile device , such as connect common peripherals to a laptop , or charge a smartphone . Because a wide range of dockable devices—from mobile phones to wireless mouse —have different connectors, power signaling, and uses, docks are unstandardized and are therefore often designed for

2695-603: The thicker color Duos with the original Duo Dock. The Dock II was followed by the Duo Dock Plus on May 15, 1995, which was identical to the Duo Dock II, but lacked the FPU and level 2 cache—which were not compatible with the 68LC040 -processor Duo 280 and PowerPC-processor Duo 2300c. While the laptop's LCD display obviously could not be opened when inside the dock, additional NuBus video cards could be installed to drive up to three monitors. Aging Duo Docks are known to have problems with

2750-477: Was co-designed by IBM, and manufactured for Apple by IBM Japan. In 2000 Compaq released a more compact successor of Digital HiNote line - the 10.3" Armada M300 , with magnesium case and 1.6 kg weight. Sony also launched the C1 range of subnotebooks, starting in Japan in 1998. This period was notable for a major split between lower-power-consumption and higher power x86 processors in laptops; although Intel released

2805-467: Was covered in non-computer magazines including GQ, FHM, Elle and Rolling Stone. In 2006, Microsoft introduced a new ultra-mobile PC format, under the code-name Origami. These were smaller versions of Tablet PC computers; One example was the Samsung Q1 . Since 2007, the laptop computer market has seen an increased segmentation of microprocessor lines to different purposes and power levels, including

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2860-405: Was light and functional for travel and expandable via its unique docking connector. However certain compromises were made to achieve this level of portability. The Duo series used an 88% of standard desktop-sized keyboard which was criticized for being difficult to type on. Likewise, the trackball was reduced in size from even that used on the PowerBook 100. The only usable port which came standard on

2915-412: Was manufactured by both Apple and many third parties, and gave the PowerBook Duo up to three extra ports in a minimal configuration. Examples include floppy, SCSI, video and Ethernet docks, each typically included one ADB port as well. This was the least expensive, and most basic of the docks. This type of dock allowed the Duo's internal LCD to be used as well, and could run on the Duo's internal battery for

2970-522: Was the Vaio PCG-C1VE or PictureBook (2001). It was one of the first machines with a digital camera built into the lid, which could be used for video conferencing or swiveled to photograph a scene. This was followed in 2005 by the Flybook convertible with a 8.9 inch touch screen. The Flybook featured a built-in phone connection for GPRS or 3G networking, and is available in a range of bright colors. This

3025-543: Was the largest and most expensive dock for the PowerBook Duo, in a form factor common for that period: the Duo Dock (M7779) was first offered by Apple on October 19, 1992, and the similar docks presented by Compaq (as the LTE Lite Desktop Expansion Base ) and IBM (as the 3550 Expansion Unit) were introduced in the same year. Unlike the smaller docks, or "port replicators" that plugged into the back of laptops,

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