Apple Computer Inc is ready with a revamped PowerBook line with PCMCIA support, PowerPC upgradability, a built-in pointing device to replace the trackball, and faster 68LC040 processors, US PC Week reports. The new Blackbird machiens are the 520 and 540 PowerBooks, which come with colour screens in the 520c and 540c variants, and the Duo 280 and 280c, with 33MHz 68LC040, the latter with an active-matrix colour screen. The 68LC040 processor is mounted on a daughter board attached directly to the motherboard, enabling users to upgrade to the PowerPC 603. Other new key features include a totally silicon-based touchpad technology that uses no membranes or moving parts, and two battery bays,one of which has a 68030 Processor Direct Slot expansion slot. The slot will support a card cage supporting two Type 1 or Type 2 PCMCIA cards or one Type 3 card. With the 500 series, Apple plans to bundle Apple Remote Access 2.0 client software, diagnostic software, HyperCard 2.2, PC Exchange and a dairy application. No pricing details were available, but dealers talked of a pricey $4,500 or so for the active-matrix colour 540c model.
