PowerBook 540c
Laptops1994Uncommon
The PowerBook 500 series introduced the built-in trackpad to personal computers before anyone else — a feature so obvious in retrospect that every laptop on earth has used it since. The 540c 'Blackbird' was the top of the line: active-matrix color, 33 MHz 68LC040, stereo speakers. Its benchmark scores embarrassed PC laptops that cost twice as much.
Reference →Identity
- Manufacturer
- Apple
- Model Number
- M4880
Dates & Pricing
- Introduced
- 1994-05-16
- Discontinued
- 1995-08-26
- Release Year
- 1994
- Original Price (Low)
- $4,800
- Original Price (High)
- $4,800
- Estimated Value
- $200
Processor
- CPU
- Motorola 68LC040
- CPU Speed
- 33 MHz
- Bus Speed
- 33 MHz
Memory
- RAM
- 8-36 MB
- RAM Max
- 36 MB
- RAM Slots
- 1
- RAM Type
- DRAM Card
Storage & Display
- Storage
- 320 MB, 500 MB
- Graphics
- Built-in 9.5" Active Matrix Color LCD 640x480
- Screen Size
- 9.5" Color
- Display Type
- LCD
- Display Variant
- Color
- Native Resolution
- 640x480
Expansion & Ports
- Expansion Slots
- 2 Type II PC Card
- Drive Bays
- 1
- Ports
- Video (Monitor): 1 (Mini-15) , ADB: 1 , SCSI: 1 (HDI-30) , Serial (Standard): 1 , Microphone: 1 (Line Level) , Sound Out: 1 (16-Bit Stereo) , Security (Lock): 1
- Ethernet
- AAUI-15
Software
- Operating System
- 7.1.1
- Min OS
- 7.1.1
- Max OS
- 8.1
Physical
- Weight
- 7.3 lbs
- Dimensions
- 2.3 x 11.5 x 9.7
- Battery Type
- NiMH
eBay Sale Prices
Sales
15
Typical Low
$125
25th %ile
Typical High
$219
75th %ile
Avg / Median
$181
$162 med
Full range: $100–$2.5k across 15 sales
Auction
BIN
BIN + OBO
Median
Typical range
10 most recent sales
Vintage Apple PowerBook 540c PPC Upgrade 603e 8MB RAM Adapter
2026-07-21$354
Apple Computer Inc. PowerBook 540c Laptop (1994, Does Not Power On, Untested)
2026-07-19$125
Vintage working Apple PowerBook 540c with power adapter- Excellent condition
2026-07-17$280
Vintage working Apple PowerBook 540c with power adapter- Excellent condition
2026-06-30$225
Apple Macintosh Powerbook 540c
2026-06-17$100
Vintage Working Apple PowerBook 540c tested ... please read entire description
2026-06-11$155
Apple PowerBook 540C Powers On, W/ Charger, AS-IS
2026-06-04$149
Apple PowerBook 540C Powers On, No Further Testing W/ Charger
2026-05-21$170
Apple PowerBook 540c Laptop (1994) with accessories.
2026-05-12$200
Vintage Apple PowerBook 540c Laptop (1994) w/ AC Adapter READ DESCRIPTION
2026-05-11$170
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