After the introduction of the more powerful PowerBook 3400c in February 1997, the 1400 took on the role of Apple's entry level notebook and remained there until its discontinuation in May 1998.

The optional 6× CD-ROM is implemented using a sleep-swappable module system similar to the one pioneered by the PowerBook 5300; other modules include a Zip drive and the standard 1.4 MB floppy (an 8× CD-ROM would eventually become standard on the 133 MHz model).

A pioneering feature of the 1400 is the "BookCover" laptop skin which allows owners the opportunity to give their PowerBook a customized look.

System memory modules can be "piggy-backed" onto each other (another feature unique to the 1400), allowing the use of additional RAM.

Additionally, unlike all Apple notebooks to come after it, the 1400 would not boot from a CD by holding down the C key while starting the machine; the only workarounds for this were selecting the CD in the Startup Disk control panel before rebooting, or pressing the ⌘ Command+⌥ Opt+⇧ Shift+Delete keys.