http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/launceston-region/laptops/macintosh-1400c...
Well worth a look. Comes with floppy and CD modules. Needs a new battery, but still works sweetly off charger.
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2013, August 19 - 9:31am
#1
PowerBook 1400CS for $60 (Tasmania again)
Comments
2013, August 19 - 1:22pm
#2
Once bitten twice shy, as they say... My 1st question to ask the seller, if I was interested in this, would be, "How much RAM on board"? RAM for this model is RARER than a proverbial hen's tooth - and if available, expensive (because this RAM type wasn't widely used in other contemporary laptops). Its quite possible there is only 12 -16 MB on board and with this model, a full capacity of 64 Mb would be desirable. 2nd question would be; "Any on board L2 cache"? No? not good either, PPC anything really shines only if L2 cache is available. See "Road Apples" for more info. - Only the PB 1400/117 shipped without on-board RAM cache, so if the MHz are greater than 117 it should be OK cache-wise.
The CS screen with this is also a consideration, at a time when laptops were being delivered with higher quality active-matrix displays as standard, the Mac 1400 CS models were noticeably inferior in this respect. As this laptop for sale, also has that "CS" screen, it could be a 117 MHz (Road Apple) model, but it could also be a better specced 133 - 166 MHz model ... a CS screen though is definitely not such a good prospect. So do consider these basic & pertinent questions before committing with this one, IMHO.
2013, August 19 - 5:11pm
#3
I was given one of these for free last month, i have been enjoying it very much, even with the lack of L2 cache and the "CS" passive screen. The only annoying thing i have found about this model is precisely, the screen, i often lose track of the pointer, but other than that, it's ok. Very snappy under 7.5.3 or 7.6.x, somewhat fast under 8.x, starts to feel really slow with 8.6 and after installing OS9 (if you have 32 MB of RAM at least, that is), you almost regret it and makes you want to install an earlier version of the OS.
About the battery: My bet is that today there is no 1400 with a functional original battery. The good thing is that this battery is still NiMH, easy and safer than lithium to rebuild. From personal experience, the case from the 1400 battery is extremely easy to open compared to the powerbook duo ones.
The price: i was checking on ebay it seems one 1400 went for $8.55 recently, but it seems they usually go for twentysomething. Might want to consider that.