PowerBook 550c Specs: EveryMac.com

Apple PowerBook 550c Specs

All PowerBook Models | All 1995 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

Apple PowerBook 550c The Apple Macintosh PowerBook 550c -- sold only in Japan -- features a 33 MHz 68040 processor, 8 MB of RAM, and a 500 MB hard drive in a sleek portable case with a 10.4" color active-matrix display.

The PowerBook 500 series introduced the "trackpad" -- where the cursor followed the movement of your finger on a "pad" rather than a plastic ball. The trackpad was a revolutionary input device and has been used since in the vast majority of modern notebooks. The PowerBook 500 series also introduced dual swappable "bays" that could be used to hold either one battery and a PCMCIA adapter or dual batteries to extend runtime.

Tech Specs
Ports

Click on the category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.

Expand All Details | Contract All Details

Introduction Date:

May 30, 1995

Discontinued Date:

April 1, 1996

Details:

The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.

Also see: All Macs introduced in 1995.

Processor Speed:

33 MHz*

Processor Type:

68040

Details:

*This model has a 32-bit processor and a 32-bit data path. Sometimes this model is designated as having a 66 MHz processor, since the clock input runs at 66 MHz. However, the processor itself is not "clock doubled," so technically it only is a 33 MHz processor.

Processor Upgrade:

Third-Party*

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

*Third-party upgrades and accelerators were available.

System Bus Speed:

33 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

N/A

Details:

N/A

ROM Type:

Macintosh ROM

ROM Size:

2 MB

Details:

N/A

L1 Cache:

L2 Cache:

N/A

Details:

N/A

RAM Type:

DRAM Card*

Min. RAM Speed:

70 ns

Details:

*Supports a single 70 ns DRAM card.

Standard RAM:

8 MB

Maximum RAM:

36 MB*

Details:

*With 4 MB of onboard memory and a 32 MB memory module.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

4 MB

RAM Slots:

Details:

*One PowerBook 500 series memory slot.

Video Card:

Dedicated*

VRAM Type:

Onboard

Details:

*Video function provided by onboard VRAM.

Standard VRAM:

512k*

Maximum VRAM:

512k*

Details:

*512k of VRAM supports an external color monitor (8-bit, 256 colors). The video cannot be upgraded.

Built-in Display:

10.4" Color

Native Resolution:

640x480

Details:

10.4" color active-matrix (8-bit, 256 colors) LCD.

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring*

2nd Max. Resolution:

832x624*

Details:

Simultaneously supports native resolution on the internal display and a maximum of 832x624 on a color external display. Other supported resolutions are 512x384, 640x400, 640x480 and 800x600, all at 8-bit color.

Standard Hard Drive:

500 MB

Int. HD Interface:

SCSI

Details:

N/A

Standard Optical:

None

Standard Disk:

1.44 MB (Manual)

Details:

N/A

Standard Modem:

19.6k (Optional)

Standard Ethernet:

AAUI-15

Details:

*An internal modem was optional. AAUI-15 Ethernet standard.

Expansion Slots:

2 Type II PC Card*

Expansion Bays:

1**

Details:

*2 Type II PC Card (1 Type III) expansion slots provided by PCMCIA adapter in a "swappable" bay (M2995LL/A).

**This model has a custom "swappable" bay that can be used to hold a second battery or a PCMCIA adapter along with other options.

Case Type:

Notebook

Form Factor:

PowerBook 520

Details:

N/A

Apple Order No:

M4286J/A

Apple Subfamily:

PowerBook 550c

Details:

N/A

Apple Model No:

N/A

Gestalt ID:

Details:

Please note that these identifiers commonly refer to multiple models.

Also see: All Macs with the N/A Model Number and 72 Gestalt ID.

For more about identifiers and how to locate them on modern Macs, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

NiMH

Battery Life:

2.5-4 Hours*

Details:

*With one battery installed. With dual batteries installed, the runtime will be roughly twice as long.

Original Mac OS:

7.1.1

Supported Mac OS:

7.1.1-8.1

Details:

Earlier and later versions of the Macintosh System/Finder and Mac OS are not supported.

Dimensions:

2.3 x 11.5 x 9.7

Avg. Weight:

6.8 lbs (3.1 kg)

Details:

In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (5.8 cm, 29.2 cm, 24.6 cm).

Original Price (US):

N/A

Est. Current Retail:

N/A*

Details:

*As a collector's item, it still may retain value.

Photo Credit: Apple Computer, Inc.

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

Expand All Details | Contract All Details

Video (Monitor):

1 (Mini-15)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

N/A

ADB:

SCSI:

1 (HDI-30)

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

Single serial port can be used with either a serial printer or modem.

Modem:

None*

Ethernet:

1 (AAUI-15)

Details:

An internal optional modem was offered.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

None

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

1 (Line Level)

Sound In:

None

Details:

N/A

Sound Out:

1 (16-Bit Stereo)

Headphone:

None

Details:

N/A

Security (Lock):

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

N/A

Power Adapter:

Details:

110V-240V AC, 50-60 Hz Frequency, 40 Max Watts.

Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices

<< PowerBook (Home)

Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.