Was that author talking about the layout, feel, and/or mounting of the keyboard? I don't mind the fell of the 540C so much as the dumb way it was mounted (there is no mount in the middle area of the board).
Comments? *** The 1400 series had a metal keyboard frame, like the 180 did, though the action is very different. It is probably the best of the non-G3 powerbook keyboards, though I've never been a fan of the 1400 series. The 1400 series were fairly heavy and bulky, while only offering an 11.3" screen (to its credit, the largest available at the time on a PowerBook). They also share the RAM limit of 64MB with the 5300 series, which for a machine with a processor upgrade path, is very low. My recommendation for a used PowerBook are as follows, a 5300ce if money is the primary limiting factor. These have a very nice 10.4" screen with 800x600 resolution, are compact, reliable once through the Apple REA (and as long as the original 7.5.2 OS is avoided) and despite the keyboard being of the same type action as the 500 series, they feel MUCH better. I would find an owner and try one (3400/Kanga G3 is the EXACT same keyboard and mounting as the 5300, and feels just as good). If money is not quite as tight, the 3400 is a great PowerBook, with a fast processor right out of the box, much higher RAM ceiling, and the ability to upgrade to CardBus 32 bit PC card slots, which will give you the ability to add USB, FireWire or any other new technologies you can think of. My personal favorite, though they fetch a premium, is the 2400c. These are essentially Japanese market machines with English keyboards, manufactured (high quality) by Sony, and are smaller and lighter than any other portable Macintosh except for the Duos. Many users had a hard time deciding on keeping a 2400c or upgrading to the new (small) iBook. This PB has the exact same 10.3" screen as the 5300ce (just as nice in this application) and while the keyboard is a bit smaller than usual, it is VERY nice. Of course, the current iBook is VERY attractive, and I can say from my PC laptop experience, a DVD/CDRW combo drive is such a wonderful thing that once you have it, you will never look back. Good Luck, Andrew -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | RoadTools $30 PodiumPad available at Apple retail stores, $20 Traveler CoolPad at Staples. Both in white for iBooks at <http://roadtools.com>. Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
