Collection › Macintosh Duo Dock

D182 · Apple Heritage Museum · Lugano

Macintosh Duo Dock

1992 · Mac era Classic Macintosh

Introduced

1992

Original price

$ 500

Processor

Motorola 68882 FPU (optional)

Original OS

Max OS

Obsolete (per Apple)

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 (optional)

CacheLevel 2 cache

Memory & graphics

Standard RAM512 KB to 1 MB VRAM

ResolutionsUp to 8-bit color on 832 x 624 display

Video outDA-15 video out

Storage

Storage1.4MB high-density floppy; optional 230MB hard drive

BaysSpace for a second hard drive

Connectivity

EthernetOptional via logic board upgrade (Duo Dock II/Plus)

Audio in3.5 mm audio jack (in)

Audio out3.5 mm audio jack (out)

ModemRJ11 modem (pass-through)

SCSIHDI-30 SCSI

ADBApple Desktop Bus

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

Software

Original OS-

Max OSObsolete (per Apple)

Included peripherals152-pin docking connector

Power

Weight13.1 lbs.

Dimensions4.8 x 12.3 x 16.3 in.

Max power87 watts

Expansion slotsNuBus (2x)

Identifiers

Model N°M7779

Order N°M7779

Lifecycle

Introduced1992

Discontinued1995

History

The PowerBook Duo lacked most common ports. In their place, docking capability was available, realized 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 offered exclusively by Apple. Unlike other docks, or "port replicators" that connected to the back of other laptops, the Duo Dock inserted the laptop inside the dock's metal and plastic casing through an internal sliding mechanism (similar to that of a VHS player). The dock transformed the PowerBook Duo into a normal-sized desktop computer, powered by alternating current and fully functional, equipped with all standard ports. Like a desktop computer, the dock could physically support a heavy high-resolution CRT display 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), second-level cache, a slot for increasing VRAM in order to allow 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 more recent color-screen PowerBook Duo. A replacement cover was offered to allow the use of thicker color Duos 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 second-level cache, which were not compatible with the Duo 280 with 68LC040 processor and the Duo 2300c with PowerPC processor. Although the laptop's LCD screen obviously could not be opened when inside the dock, it was possible to install additional NuBus video cards to run up to three monitors.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_(computer) · Wikipedia

Trivia

• The PowerBook Duo featured a revolutionary docking system with 156 pins that allowed the dock to access the processor directly, transforming the portable into a complete desktop computer thanks to an internal sliding mechanism similar to that of a VHS video recorder. • The Duo Dock was so spacious that it could physically support a heavy high-resolution CRT monitor on top of it, functioning as a true dual-screen workspace thanks to additional NuBus video cards. • Apple released three successive versions of the dock (original, Duo Dock II, and Duo Dock Plus) to adapt to the hardware updates of the PowerBook Duo, demonstrating how modular design could evolve without making previous models obsolete.

D181

D182 · APPLE HERITAGE MUSEUM · LUGANO

D196