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Apple Macintosh 128K vs Apple Macintosh 512K

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh 128KAppleMacintosh 512K
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 1984September 1984
Performance
Processor68000 8 MHz (Macintosh 128K)68000 8 MHz (Macintosh 512K)
CPU cores11
Memory128 KB512 KB
CPU8 MHz 68000; maker lists no PMMU, FPU, cache or second processor8 MHz 68000 with a 16-bit data path; no PMMU, FPU, cache or second processor
Memory typeFixed 128 KB RAM and 64 KB ROM, Apple's original SE/30 owner manual Macintosh product-line appendix and contemporaneous reviews. Retained Apple support sheet incorrectly labels RAM 0.125 MB; no built-in expansion, with third-party upgrades described separatelyFixed 0.5 MB onboard RAM, 64K ROM; no RAM slots or built-in memory expansion
Storage typeBuilt-in 400 KB removable floppy drive, manually loaded and automatically ejected; no internal hard drive or hard-drive interface. Floppy capacity remains removable-media detail, not main internal storage400K removable floppy drive with manual loading; no internal hard drive, hard-drive interface or internal CD drive
Expansion slotsNoneNone
Display
Screen size9″9″
Resolution512 × 342512 × 342
PanelCRTCRT
Display type9-inch monochrome CRT, 512 × 342 pixels; 9-inch diagonal confirmed in Apple's original SE/30 owner manual, Macintosh product-line appendix; generic maker table 512 × 384 conflicts with its explicit note 512 × 342Built-in monochrome CRT with one-bit bitmap; 9-inch diagonal confirmed in Apple's original SE/30 owner manual, Macintosh product-line appendix. Apple explicitly notes 512 × 342 pixels, correcting its generic table's 512 × 384
Display featuresOne-bit black-and-white bitmap display; no separate text mode, as described in BYTE–
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackHeadphone jack
Back portsExternal floppy DB-19, printer and modem serial ports, keyboard, mouse and speaker/headphone output; no USB, ADB, SCSI, Ethernet, FireWire or external video. Maker warns serial ports lack handshaking and synchronous modem supportExternal floppy DB-19, printer and modem serial ports and speaker/headphone output; no SCSI, Ethernet or external video. Serial ports do not support handshaking or synchronous modems
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailMaker 16.5 lb and 13.6 in height × 9.6 in width × 10.9 in depth; original units retainedMaker 16.5 lb; 13.6 in height × 9.6 in width × 10.9 in depth, retained in original units
Power supplyMaker maximum 60 W, 105–125 V, 50–60 Hz, 0.5 A; 4.5 V alkalineMaximum 60 W, 105–125 V, 50–60 Hz, 0.5 A; 4.5 V alkaline
In the boxSeparate keyboard and mouse; initial MacWrite/MacPaint bundle described by LA Times. Apple introduction 24 January 1984; January retail month supported by actual 29 January LA Times review, not inferred exact first-sale day. BYTE identifies Motorola 68000; support sheet omits supplierOriginal system software 0.7; maker introduction 10 September 1984 and discontinuation 14 April 1986. Actual shipping month September 1984 comes from Macworld's historical timeline; no exact first-sale day adopted

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