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The 2nd generation PowerBooks, while looking remarkably similar to their predecessors, sported a variety of new features. The PB145 was also introduced with the 160 and 180, but since it's really a PB140 with a faster CPU, it's treated with the  PowerBook 140 and 170. The 160 and 180 really were everything the 140 and 170 should have been. They had SCSI docking mode capability, 4-bit greyscale screens, integrated microphone/speaker and - most importantly - standard video out. Let's check out their specs:
 
 

Model	CPU	MHz	FPU	SCSI disk mode	Screen (")	Video out	Maximum RAM	Display
PowerBook 160	68030	25	na	Yes	10	8 bit (256 colours)	14MB	Passive-maxtrix, 4-bit greyscale (16 greys)
PowerBook 180	68030	33	Std	Yes	10	8 bit (256 colours	14MB	Active matrix, 4-bit greyscale (16 greys)

The RAM capacity rose from 8 to 14MB in these models. While competitive, the PBs were now a step behind the simultaneously-introduced PowerBook Duo models, which permitted a huge (for a notebook) 24MB RAM limit. The screens on the 160 and 180 are a great improvement over their 140 and 170 counterparts though: the 180 in particular has a sharp active-matrix display that accurately displays 16 shades of grey. Both the 160 and 180 make web browsing on colour pages more possible in this respect. Their 25 and 33 MHz speed also make light browsing with older browsers like Netscape 2.02 or NCSA Mosaic (or brank new browsers like iCab). You can even satisfactorily run Netcape Navigator 4.05 (standalone; latest version 4.08) on a 68030. Netscape 4 takes a while to launch but once it's loaded into memory it's fine. On the 180, the FPU helps with internet graphics. For faxing, use whatever came with your 'Book or whatever you prefer. FaxSTF 3x seems to work very well with '030s.
 

Being Communicative:

The 160 and 180 have optional internal modems available. A lot these were 9,600 or 14.4s, but you'll sometimes find 2nd hand editions with 28.8K modems. These are the fastest internal modems available for these PBs, but are more than sufficient for getting data down to the 160/180's slower processors. But you can easily attach a 33.6 or 56K modem. However, due to the 57.6kbps limit on the PB's serial port, you won't get the full benefits of the modem's speed.
 

What to use:

Apart from browsers, the PB160 and 180 run most modern (non-PPC) software. Open Transport 1.1.2 runs well. Eudora 1.5 or 3.0/3.1 Lite run equally well. Use NewsWatcher for news. Even some DTP (Desktop Publishing) is possible. Older versions of DTP software like Aldus Pagemaker (now Adobe Pagermaker) version 4.0 or earlier work fine. Ditto QuarkXPress 3.1 or older. Photoshop 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0 run fine if a little slowly. Remember in the not so old days all people had to make a glossy magazine was a IIci, 8MB RAM, Quark and Photoshop! A PB180 is faster than a IIci, so connected to a bigger monitor and an external keyboard, it can make an excellent light-duty desktop machine, while doubling as a 'Book.

For word processing, the usual 68030 rules apple: Word 5.1 (AVOID 6.0.1), NisusWriter, MacWrite Pro or MarinerWrite. WriteNow works fine too. ClarisWorks/AppleWorks 2.1-5.0 are fast and more full-featured with each successive version. I run AppleWorks 5.0 on a IIsi (20MHz 68030) and it runs exceptionally well. Older versions of Excel (2.2, 3, 4) run very well, but 5.0 is also okay if slower. PowerPoint 2.2 (rather than 4.0) is also an option for presentation software.

I haven't tried, but I've heard some anecdotal evidence about using Toast for burning CDs on a PB180. The 33MHz bus is fast enough for throughput. You'll probably have to burn at 1x or maybe 2x at a pinch, but a 180 with it's RAM maxed out might be a reasonable proposition (but a better idea if that's what you want to do is to buy a cheap Quadra 650, 800 or 660 and load it up with RAM).
 

System software:

OS 7.6.1, the last version of the Mac OS supported by these PBs, is a viable proposition on the 160 and 180 as their 14MB RAM limit supports it. 7.6 features a lot of under-the-hood improvements in stability. Try it if you have it. It does hog disk space though.  Don't forget that 7.6 prohibits the use of MacTCP - Open Transport is mandatory. For a slimmer system, go with 7.1 or 7.5.3 (free download).
 

Desktopping:

With the 160 and 180, you could finally use the PB as both a desktop and a laptop. The 160 supports Apple's 12", 13", and 14" monitors. It will probably support most VGA monitors as well (with an adapter). The 180 goes one better by also supporting Apple's Portrait, 15" and 16" displays. At the time, Apple didn't make a 17" monitor, but I understand they will support a 17" monitor without any problem. Both the 160 and 180 support 8-bit video out (256 colours) at various resolutions. Use a utility like SwitchRes to see all the resolutions your monitor will support.

The 160 and 180 also support SCSI Disk Mode (thankfully), correcting a major failing in the 140 and 170. For syncing files while working in SCSI Disk Mode, Apple provides a basic file synchronisation utility called (what else) File Assistant (or something). Personally, I prefer an old utility called Zync which has a much better and simpler interface than the Apple version. It's free and compatble with newer versions of the Mac OS, despite its age (1992).

Of course, like every other PB ever built, you can plug external HDDs, Zips, scanners or old printers. Of course, although SCSI is fast, faster than ethernet and LocalTalk, PBs are a bit slower than desktops. These 030 'Books have a maximum SCSI throughput of 1.5MB per second. '040 PowerBooks and desktops have 5MB p.s. or more. Of course, this is only a theoretical maximum and you'll probably get about 150K per second transferring data between a PB and an external HDD, and about 100K or so per second using a Zip.

If you're going to use your 160 or 180 as a desktop you better get prepared. Prepared to get a bigger internal hard disk that is. Of course, you don't *have* to; you can store your most vital stuff on Jaz or an external HDD, and only take your vital stuff with you. Your 160 is likely to have a 80MB HDD, while the 180 has a 120MB (though it can vary). A 160 or 320MB SCSI HDD from a trashed  PowerBook 500 series could be just the trick. Larger 12mmx2.5" SCSI drives are harder to find, but 1GB ones are available (and probably expensive). Given the prices of a large internal, you might very well be better off with the unlimited storage of a Jaz or a large external SCSI HDD.

Naturally, you just plug in an extended keyobard and mouse (or a graphics tablet) and go. With OS 7.5 or later, you can boot or shutdown a 160/180 from an external keyboard, no problem.

Memory:

Unfortunately, PB 160s and 180s have amongst the most expensive RAM cards of all the PBs (beaten only by the 165/c and 180c). Note that these models (i.e. 180 v. 180c) use different RAM cards. 180 RAM runs at 100ns and 180c runs at 85ns. Check prices of RAM before you purchase a 160 or 180 - in Australia 4MB for a 160/180 costs $188 (subtract @ 36% for US dollar equivalent, though it's not a very accurate guide). 10MB for a 180c was $397!! Bottom line: don't purchase a 160 or 180 with a 4MB configuration unless you've priced the RAM first and are happy with it. Fortunately, most 160/180 PBs have been upgrade to 6 or 8 MB or more.
 

What to look for:

I'm reprising this part from the  PowerBook 140 and 170 page as it all applies here.

OK, fire up the PB and check it all boots okay. Listen to the hard drive. If there's undue noise, walk away. The HD is
about to die (unless you have a spare and are good at working inside PBs). Give it some serious workout for 15
minutes or so. Pull down the Key Caps DA and check every key functions. Click the mouse buttons. Look closely for
scratches on the screen. Make sure the display contrast/brightness controls function. Ensure the screen does not have
any obvious vertical or horizontal lines. Active matrix screens, like that on the 170, don't really suffer from burn-in so
much as desktop CRT's but it is possible. Look for dead pixels on the 170 - active matrixc screens have this fallability;
passive ones (140/145/145b) do not. If there're 4 or 5 that's okay. More than that and it's a bit questionble.

Make sure you're happy with the screen. Passive matrix B&W annoys some people. B&W passive screens tend to be
easier on the eyes (and less conducive to headaches) than active matrix displays.

Ask the owner to unscrew the ring under the trackball and check for dust and wear of the trackball retainers (a trackball
is essentially an upsidedown mouse). A cool new colourful trackball might be the way to go if you buy this baby (in
Duos some people use a marble!). Make sure the screen hinges are okay and format a floppy or two. Shut the whole
thing down, chat with rthe owner for at least 5 minutes and then reboot the PB. Check the date and time. If they're
now reading August  1956, the PRAM battery is dead. You can get another one, but be prepared to pay someone
unless you're comfortable inside PBs. Open the Memory control panel and check the amount of physical RAM in the
machine. Try running the PB off battery. NiCADs aren't that expensive though, although their longevity is certainly
not as great as an NiMH or LiION battery (maybe 1-2 years o f reasonably intensive use), they're reasonably cheap to
replace. Often you'll find owners selling old PBs with spare batteries (test them) and SCSI cables. Can be great deals.
 

Buyer's guide:

The PowerBook 160 and 180 are absolute bargain laptops with a full set of ports, good screens, video support, SCSI disk mode and fast-enough internal modems. Pay $US300 for a really mint example of a 160 with a bit of RAM in it. For a 180, maybe $350. Of course, there'll be well-used (but still reliable) examples for less than these prices. The 180 is clearly of the pick of the 100-series PBs (I include the 180c which is identical apart from the colour screen). Its 33MHz CPU, FPU and active-matrix screen make it an (almosy) modern PowerBook. Lay back (in that hammock of course) and enjoy.