Any list of the most revolutionary Apple products includes the original Mac, iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. Too often overlooked is the PowerBook 100 series, Apple’s first laptops.
On the anniversary of the launch, I can explain why the series was groundbreaking. I had a PowerBook 140, and it’s as important to Apple history as the original iPhone.
October 21, 1991: Apple launches its PowerBook 100 series. The lightweight laptops quickly become one of the most important tech gadgets of all time.
These devices will almost single-handedly turn notebook computers into mainstream technology. Apple’s subsequent success in this category — whether it’s the current MacBooks or even the rise of mobile devices like the iPhone — owes a huge debt to the PowerBook 100 series.
Sam Henri Gold generously posted for all to see his extensive collection of Apple promotional materials. There are images going back to the 1970s, and videos starting in the 1990s.
![Wikipedia CC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerBook_100#/media/File:Powerbook_100_pose.jpg"){kind=link}