Apple Macintosh 512K vs Apple Macintosh Performa 5400/160
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleMacintosh 512K | AppleMacintosh Performa 5400/160 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | September 1984 | 1996 |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | 68000 8 MHz (Macintosh 512K) | PowerPC 603e (160 MHz, Macintosh Performa 5400/160) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Memory | 512 KB | 16 MB (better) |
| Storage | – | 1.6 GB |
| CPU | 8 MHz 68000 with a 16-bit data path; no PMMU, FPU, cache or second processor | 160 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point and memory management units, 32 KB L1 cache and 64-bit memory bus. Optional High Performance Module adds 256 KB L2 cache; it is not standard. Current Apple support gives a 40 MHz data path clock. |
| GPU | – | 1 MB DRAM framebuffer independent of system RAM. Shared Service Source explicitly supports 640 × 480 at 60 or 67 Hz and 800 × 600 at 60 or 72 Hz with 16-bit colour; 832 × 624 at 75 Hz uses 8-bit colour and does not support video input. Current support additionally lists 1024 × 768, but the exact technical specification and shared service manual restrict the built-in CRT to 832 × 624; the higher database row is not adopted as the built-in display resolution. |
| Memory type | Fixed 0.5 MB onboard RAM, 64K ROM; no RAM slots or built-in memory expansion | 16 MB standard, comprising 8 MB soldered RAM and one 8 MB DIMM. Two 168-pin 64-bit DIMM slots allow expansion to 136 MB with two 64 MB modules. Use 70 ns or faster fast-paged-mode DIMMs with 1K or 2K refresh. Modules can be installed individually. 4 MB ROM. |
| Storage type | 400K removable floppy drive with manual loading; no internal hard drive, hard-drive interface or internal CD drive | Exact 160 MHz maker specification, ordering description and Service Source configuration agree on a 1.6 GB IDE hard drive, Apple SuperDrive 1.44 MB floppy drive and internal 8× AppleCD CD-ROM drive. November 1996 Apple Facts gives a 1.2 GB drive for the broader 160/180 Performa family; that unqualified family figure is not transferred to the exact configuration. |
| Expansion slots | None | One PCI slot for a 6.88-inch, 15 W card; communications slot occupied by the supplied modem; optional video-input card and TV/FM tuner bay. Optional Apple External Video Connector enables mirroring; optional Apple Presentation System provides NTSC/PAL output. NuBus cards cannot be used in the PCI slot. |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 9″ | 12.8″ |
| Resolution | 512 × 342 | 832 × 624 (better) |
| Panel | CRT | CRT |
| Refresh rate | – | 75 Hz |
| Display type | Built-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 | 15-inch nominal RGB CRT with 12.8-inch viewable diagonal and 0.28 mm dot pitch. Noninterlaced flat square tube. Base tilts from −5° to +15° and swivels 360°. Resolution can be changed without restarting. |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | Headphone jack | 2 × headphone jack |
| Front ports | – | Headphone output and volume controls; built-in infrared remote capability. Remote-control inclusion varies with regional configuration. |
| Back ports | External 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 | One ADB port; two GeoPort-compatible RS-232/422 serial ports, including LocalTalk support; DB-25 SCSI; stereo sound input and rear stereo sound output. Optional DB-15 external-video connector, not a standard fitted port. Built-in 28.8 Kbit/s V.34 data/fax/voice modem supports MNP4, V.42, MNP5 and V.42bis; optional Ethernet replaces the communications-slot modem. No USB or FireWire. |
| External displays | – | Optional external-video connector provides mirroring of the built-in screen. Connector kit, suitable cable and external display required; external video does not establish an independent second desktop. |
| Speakers | – | Built-in stereo speakers and 16-bit stereo sound with SRS 3D surround enhancement. Shared service manual identifies separate front and rear stereo output jacks. Headline jack count excludes the sound-input port. |
| Microphones | – | Built-in microphone and stereo sound-input port; the input also supports an external Apple PlainTalk microphone. Shared manual explicitly excludes the earlier Apple Omni microphone from this input. |
| Keyboard and mouse | – | Exact maker ordering description includes keyboard, mouse and necessary cables; the CRT, microphone, speakers, modem, CD-ROM, floppy drive and hard drive are built into the computer. Optional TV/FM and video hardware varies by regional bundle. |
| Design and power | ||
| Type | All-in-one | All-in-one |
| Weight | – | 21 kg |
| Width × depth × height | – | 383 × 406 × 445 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Size and weight detail | Maker 16.5 lb; 13.6 in height × 9.6 in width × 10.9 in depth, retained in original units | Exact maker specification gives 445 × 383 × 406 mm (height × width × depth) and 21 kg. Its 17.5 × 15.1 × 16 inches and 47 lb are retained as maker-rounded equivalents. Apple Facts notes weight varies with installed internal devices; no shipping-package mass is used. |
| Power supply | Maximum 60 W, 105–125 V, 50–60 Hz, 0.5 A; 4.5 V alkaline | 220 W maximum continuous input, nominal 110–240 V AC at 50–60 Hz, single phase. Low-power sleep mode supported. Current maker table gives a 4.5 V alkaline clock battery; maximum input is not normal operating consumption. |
| In the box | Original 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 | System 7.5.3 with System Enabler 410, Apple Guide, QuickTime, Macintosh PC Exchange and QuickDraw 3D. Exact October 1996 ordering description and November Apple Facts dealer catalogue establish retail offering in 1996; precise first-sale month or day remains unestablished. Apple's recorded introduction is 5 August 1996. Service Source identifies sale in Japan, Australia and Europe; not sold in the US. This 160 MHz configuration is distinct from the existing Power Macintosh 5400/120, 5400/180 and 5400/200. No unsupported official predecessor link assigned. |
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