Collection › PowerBook Duo Dock II

D180 · Apple Heritage Museum · Lugano

PowerBook Duo Dock II

● Obsolete 1994 · Mac era PowerBook

Introduced

1994

Original price

$ 530

Processor

Motorola 68882 (FPU)

Original OS

System 7

Colors

Platinum and Smoke

1976

1984

1998

2001

2007

2020

2026

Pre-Mac

Mac era

iMac era

iPod era

iPhone era

Silicon

Processor

ProcessorMotorola 68882 (FPU)

Cache32KB L2 cache

Memory & graphics

Standard RAM1 MB VRAM

ResolutionsMaximum onboard video resolution: 870 x 640

Video outDA-15 video out

Storage

Storage1.4MB high-density floppy

Bays3.5-inch drive bay (optional SCSI drive)

Connectivity

EthernetAAUI-15 Ethernet, LocalTalk

Audio in3.5 mm audio jack (in)

Audio out3.5 mm audio jack (out)

Dock152-pin docking connector

ModemRJ11 modem (pass-through)

SCSIHDI-30 SCSI

ADBApple Desktop Bus

SerialRS-422 serial (2x Mini-DIN-8)

Software

Original OSSystem 7

Apple statusObsolete

Power

Weight13.5 lbs.

Dimensions4.8 x 12.3 x 16.3 in.

Max power87 watts

Expansion slotsNuBus (2x)

Identifiers

Model N°M1585

Lifecycle

Introduced1994

Discontinued1995

Apple statusObsolete

History

The PowerBook Duos lacked most common ports. In their place, docking capability was available, implemented through a unique 156-pin direct processor slot (PDS) that gave docks complete access to the Duo's central processing unit (CPU) and data buses. The Duo Dock was the largest and most expensive dock for the PowerBook Duo and the only form factor solution proposed exclusively by Apple. Unlike other docks or "port replicators" that connected to the rear of other laptops, the Duo Dock pulled the laptop into the dock's metal and plastic housing via an internal sliding mechanism (similar to that of a VHS player). The dock transformed the PowerBook Duo into a standard-sized, fully functional, mains-powered desktop computer equipped with all standard ports. Like a desktop computer, the dock could physically support a heavy high-resolution CRT monitor on top of it. The Duo Dock included a floppy disk drive on the side, two NuBus expansion slots, an optional floating-point unit (FPU), level 2 cache, a slot for additional VRAM memory to enable more colors at higher resolutions, and space for a hard drive. The original Duo Dock was replaced by the Duo Dock II, which added AAUI networking and compatibility with the latest color-screen PowerBook Duos. A replacement cover was offered to allow thicker color Duos to be used with the original Duo Dock. The Dock II was followed by the Duo Dock Plus, identical to the Duo Dock II but lacking FPU and level 2 cache, which were not compatible with the Duo 280 with 68LC040 processor and the Duo 2300c with PowerPC processor. Although the laptop's LCD display obviously could not open while inside the dock, it was possible to install additional NuBus video cards to drive up to three monitors.

Trivia

• The PowerBook Duo used an extraordinary 156-pin connector called the Processor Direct Slot that allowed the dock to access directly the CPU of the portable computer, a very advanced technological solution for that era. • The Duo Dock was the first official Apple dock that transformed the laptop into a complete desktop computer, inserting the portable inside the dock's enclosure through an internal mechanism similar to that of a VCR reader. • The Duo Dock could physically support a heavy high-resolution CRT monitor on its upper part and allowed the simultaneous connection of three different monitors thanks to additional installable NuBus video cards.

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D180 · APPLE HERITAGE MUSEUM · LUGANO

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