PowerBook · The Beige Era · 1997
PowerBook 3400c
The 3400c was a big, fast, expensive PowerBook that marked Apple’s return to credible high-end portable performance.
PowerBook 3400c: key facts
When was the PowerBook 3400c released?
The PowerBook 3400c was released in February 1997. Apple discontinued it in November 1997.
How much did the PowerBook 3400c cost?
The PowerBook 3400c launched at $4,500 in 1997 — about $8,955 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What are the PowerBook 3400c’s specs?
The PowerBook 3400c used a PowerPC 603e running at 240 MHz, with 16 MB of memory and 2.0 GB of storage. It ran System 7.
Why does the PowerBook 3400c matter?
Fastest laptop in the world at launch, according to Apple.
Full specifications
| CPU | PowerPC 603e · 240 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 MB (up to 144 MB) |
| Storage | 2.0 GB |
| Display | 12.1" active-matrix color |
| GPU | Integrated / NuBus video |
| Ports | SCSI, ADB, serial |
| Weight | Varies by configuration |
| Dimensions | Clamshell laptop |
| Operating system | System 7 |
| Released | February 1997 |
| Discontinued | November 1997 |
| Launch price | $4,500 |
How the PowerBook 3400c compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 1,020× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 240 MHz, the clock is roughly 13× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro — and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
All of this storage holds about 500 modern phone photos.
Launched at $4,500 in 1997 — about $8,955 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Cross-architecture speed figures are clock-only and approximate; inflation figures use US CPI.
Did you know?
It is the kind of model collectors use to map Apple’s complicated family tree.
Related PowerBook models
Open the PowerBook 3400c in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-06-27