Predecessor to the Powerbook series, one machine stands out as the first truly "portable" Macintosh. Introduced in late 1989, and discontinued in 1991, the Portable remains technologically one of Apple's best Macintoshes --and worst marketing failures-- ever, and has become largely forgotten. While it wasn't a really great portable, weighing in at almost 16 pounds, it's an awesome desktop computer with a small footprint, sporting an excellent keyboard (with real keys!) and an active matrix display that puts most other monochrome notebook computers to shame. Noticing a conspicuous lack of information on this Mac model, plus the fact that every book about powerbooks mentions in passing the Portable, but provides no details, I've responded with this site. I hope it's at least interesting, and maybe even a little informative.

So, What about the future?

While the portable remains, with it's RAM capacity and expansion a competant computer, It's viability in a PowerPC based world is waning. Although it is arguable that as long as working Macintosh Portables and good 68k applications exist, this computer will remain useful.

This could all change, though...It seems as if, interest pending, a PowerPC upgrade could be eventually available. The product is being suggested by Dynamic Engineering who produce other upgrade products for the Portable. If you are interested, or would like to see the possibility of powermac upgrades for other macs, go to their site. the above link takes you directly to this section.

This could re-popularize this computer. Like the "classic" designed Macs, the portable is an unobtrusive yet potentially powerful computer system. Small, and without extraneous cabling --In a world of obnoxious,octopus-like PCs-- the Portable remains one of the few computers which doesn't overpower the workspace. While not the best laptop/transportable, it's a cool desktop computer.

Mmm...more likely than you might think...

Geek Site of the Day! December 21, 1996

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