>Meanwhile a seriously upgraded 2400c is still an excellent machine, bridging >old and new, but not without shortcomings. Depends on your needs. I agree with Sidney. The Duo was Apple's sole venture into Sub-notebook line. The Duo DuoDoc combo was justifiably recognized for its technological innovation, but it had limited consumer appeal and was a financial liability for Apple. The Duo form reached its limit in the release of the Power PC 2300c. Like the original PowerBook the 2400c was a joint venture with another company. The IBM produced 2400c offered several key advantages over the Duo; the addition of a PC Card slot and a daughterboard which made possible G3 upgrading. The bus speed and ram limit is its greatest liability. However, like the Duo, the 2400c was not a financial asset for Apple. Perhaps its was Apple's limited marketing of the 2400c, never-the-less it was not a financial benefit for the company. Given the experience with the Duo, the major cuts in R&D, and the primacy of the bottom line during the Job's era I do not see Apple venturing into the sub-notebook market again. Unless Apple can be persuaded to engage in another joint venture like it did with Sony in the production of the original PowerBook or as it did with IBM in the offering of the 2400c I believe the best we can expect is a lighter PowerBook; 5 lbs in January and perhaps lighter in the future. Apple cannot now make money with a sub-notebook computer. I use both the Duo and the 2400c. I still find the Duo 2300c with 56mb of ram a useful subportable computer, especially with a DuoDoc Plus with internal hard drive. I can also comfortably live with the express modem for email on the road. However,I find my 2400c with an Interware 320 processor upgrade, MCE Cardbus Service and a 12 MG hard drive meets my computing needs. I am able to use SCSI and USB successfully and with Powerprint am able to almost any printer. Having partitioned my hard drive I successfully run both 8.6 and 9.4 thus enabling me to continue to use some of my favorite programs and still use iTools. I can also use firewire to connect to our videocorder then do limited video editing. The only problem I have had is using ethernet via my GV PC Modem/ethernet card since I had the Cardbus Service performed. I may need to purchase a dedicated ethernet card. Last month I purchased a new iBook for one of my staff members. I used it for a week before turning it over. I must say I was pleased to get to my 2400c. I found my 2400c to be as able as the iBook while having more options for connectivity. Surprisingly what I have found I appreciate about the 2400c is the keyboard which is, in my opinion, far better than the Duo Keyboard. Although small the scissor action of the 2400c more than makes up for the small size and leads to fewer typos. I end this were I began; agreeing with Sidney that the 2400c is still an excellent machine, bridging the old and the new. Yes, there are limitations, but I haven't found anything better out there or anything better on the horizon. Stan Bratton ---------- Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net! A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables. FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml> Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Need help from a real person? Try. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---------- Dr. Bott | Great Duo & 2400 stuff including 10/100 Ethernet for 2400s! Dr. Bott | Duo Batts too <http://www.drbott.com/prod/alist/duo.html> NineWire | If they are cool enough to host this list... Digital Solutions | ...you should check them out! http://www.NineWire.com/ PowerBook Guy is | Click here! Everything PowerBook! | http://www.powerbookguy.com Midwest Mac Parts ][ <http://www.midwestmac.com> After-market parts for Macs. ][ 888-356-1104 ][ MacResQ Specials: LaCie SCSI CDR From $99! PowerBook 3400/200 Only $879! Norton AntiVirus 6 Only $19! We Stock PARTS! <http://www.macresq.com>
