Home > PowerBook and PowerBook Duo Specs > PowerBook 5300cs/100



Macworld, November 1995
Image Credit:  Macworld, November 1995


Vectronic's PowerBook 5300cs

Introduced: August 25, 1995
Terminated: August 3, 1996

Logic Board
Processor:   603e
Processor Speed:   100 MHz
PMMU:   Integrated
FPU:   Integrated
Bus Speed:   33.3 MHz
Data Path:   64-bit
ROM Size:   4 MB
Level 1 Cache:   32K
Level 2 Cache:   none
Expansion Slots:   2 Type II PC Card (1 Type III)
Battery:   PB5300, NiMH


Macworld, November 1995
Image Credit:  Macworld, November 1995



Memory
RAM Type:   PB53xx
RAM Slots:   1
Min - Max RAM:   8 - 64 MB
Minimum RAM Speed:   70 ns
Install in groups of:   1
RAM Sizes:   8 - 64 MB
Onboard RAM:   8 MB, 16 MB


Vectronic's 5300cs



Ports
ADB:   1
USB:   none
FireWire:   none
Video:   mini-15
Floppy:   none
SCSI:   HDI-30
Geoports:   none
Ethernet:   none
AirPort Ready:   No
Mic Type:   Line in
Other Ports:   Printer, speaker


Apple Inc.
Image Credit:  Apple Inc.



Video
Display:
  • 10.4" Color passive matrix (dual-scan) (8-bit, 256 colors) LCD display
Resolution (built-in LCD):
  • 640 x 480, 8-bit

Storage
Standard CD-ROM:   none
Internal Hard Drive:   IDE (500 - 750 MB)
Floppy Disk Drive:   1.44 MB manual


Vectronic's 5300cs
Vectronic's 5300cs/100



Operating System
Addressing Modes:   32-bit
Original OS:   7.5.2
Original Enabler:   PowerBook 5300 Enabler
AppleTalk Version:   58.1.6

Compatible MacOS:
7.5.2
7.5.3
7.5.5
7.6
7.6.1
8.0
8.5
8.6
9


For additional information on operating systems:
See this article

Miscellaneous
Codename:   M2
Form Factor:   PowerBook 5300
Dimensions (Inches):   2 H x 11.5 W x 8.5 D
Average Weight (lbs):   6.2
Gestalt ID:   128

Original Price:
  • $2900 US: 8 MB RAM, 500 MB hard drive
  • $3700 US: 16 MB RAM, 750 MB hard drive


Macworld, February 1996
Image Credit:  Macworld, February 1996


Comments
Apple introduced the PowerBook 5300 series on August 25, 1995. The line included the PowerBook 5300/100, the 5300c/100, the 5300cs/100 and the 5300ce/117. The new PowerBooks were the first to include a PowerPC processor, and the first to use hot-swappable expansion modules. Prices ranged from $2300 to $6800 depending on the model and options. Although the 5300 series held much promise, many users ultimately viewed them with disappointment. The line suffered many early issues including overheating batteries, problems with cracked cases, and the general impression that the 5300's performance was lackluster. Furthermore, the 5300 was an expensive notebook and only the very expensive top-of-the-line models like the 5300ce and 5300c had decent LCD displays. Finally, many decried the lack of a CD drive expansion module and inability to add a standard network port through a real communication slot (other than through a PC Card). Apple discontinued all models of the 5300 series by September 1996. A few months later, the company introduced the remarkable 3400 series PowerBooks, which kept the same basic case design as the 5300 but with significantly enhanced capabilities.


Additional PowerBook 5300 Information:

Vectronic's PowerBook 5300cs/100



Manuals at Apple.com:

PowerBook 5300cs/100

PowerBook 5300 Battery Update

PowerBook 5300 User's Guide