Apple Macintosh 512K vs Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180

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Macintosh 512K compared with Macintosh Performa 6400/180

	AppleMacintosh 512K	AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180
Overview
Released
Released	September 1984	1996
Performance
Processor
Processor	68000 8 MHz (Macintosh 512K)	PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	512 KB	16 MB (better)
Storage
Storage	–	1.6 GB
CPU
CPU	8 MHz 68000 with a 16-bit data path; no PMMU, FPU, cache or second processor	180 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 cache and a 64-bit 40 MHz bus. The 256 KB Apple High Performance Module L2 cache is optional, unlike the standard cache of the 6400/200. The shared Service Source calls the processor 603ev; the exact specification page and original brochure use 603e.
GPU
GPU	–	1 MB built-in video DRAM, not expandable; 640 × 480 and 800 × 600 at 16-bit colour, 832 × 624 and 1024 × 768 at 8-bit colour. A separate PCI graphics card is needed for additional capabilities.
Memory type
Memory type	Fixed 0.5 MB onboard RAM, 64K ROM; no RAM slots or built-in memory expansion	8 MB soldered to the logic board and an 8 MB DIMM supplied; two 168-pin 64-bit fast-page-mode DIMM sockets support up to 136 MB total, with 70 ns or faster memory.
Storage type
Storage type	400K removable floppy drive with manual loading; no internal hard drive, hard-drive interface or internal CD drive	1.6 GB internal IDE hard drive, 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy drive and tray-loading 8× CD-ROM. The shared service manual lists a 1.2 GB drive and AppleCD 600i for generic 6400 configurations; the exact 180 MHz support page and ordering brochure agree on 1.6 GB and 8×.
Expansion slots
Expansion slots	None	Two PCI 2.0 slots for 6.88-inch cards with Mac drivers; Communications Slot II occupied by the supplied modem, plus positions for optional video input and TV/FM tuner cards. One pre-cabled 5.25-inch internal SCSI bay. Optional Avid Cinema requires the Apple Video System and occupies one PCI slot; it is not supplied with the standard 180 MHz configuration.
Display
Screen size
Screen size	9″	None built in
Resolution
Resolution	512 × 342	–
Panel
Panel	CRT	–
Display type
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	–
Connections
Ports
Ports	Headphone jack	Headphone jack
Front ports
Front ports	–	3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.
Back ports
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	DB-15 monitor output, ADB, DB-25 external SCSI, two GeoPort-compatible serial ports, 3.5 mm sound input compatible with PlainTalk microphones and line-level 3.5 mm speaker output. The supplied modem provides 28.8 Kbit/s data and 14.4 Kbit/s fax; replacing it with an Ethernet card provides wired networking. Optional video input handles composite and S-video NTSC, PAL or SECAM.
Speakers
Speakers	–	Built-in full-range monophonic speaker switches to subwoofer operation when external speakers are connected. 16-bit stereo input/output at 11.025, 22.05 or 44.1 kHz; SRS surround processing applies to rear sound output, not the front headphone jack.
Keyboard and mouse
Keyboard and mouse	–	Keyboard, mouse, cables and bundled applications listed for US order M5167LL/A; display, TV/FM tuner, Apple Video System, Avid Cinema and PC Compatibility Card are optional. Gallery image includes an optional monitor.
Design and power
Type
Type	All-in-one	Tower
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	–	198 × 428 × 406 mm
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Size and weight detail
Size and weight detail	Maker 16.5 lb; 13.6 in height × 9.6 in width × 10.9 in depth, retained in original units	Original brochure lists 40.6 × 19.8 × 42.8 cm (height × width × depth), matching the service manual. Weight is 20.18 kg without the monitor and varies with installed devices; the service manual explicitly excludes the CD-ROM drive. The technical booklet transposes depth and height labels.
Power supply
Power supply	Maximum 60 W, 105–125 V, 50–60 Hz, 0.5 A; 4.5 V alkaline	Exact specification page and ordering brochure list 220 W maximum, 100–125 or 200–240 V AC at 47–63 Hz. The shared service manual agrees on 220 W maximum continuous but gives wider voltage bands; the original technical booklet instead states 140 W input and 98 W DC output. These conflicting ratings are retained rather than treated as measured consumption.
In the box
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	Original System Software 7.5.3 with System Enabler 410 v1.1. Apple lists 5 August 1996 as introduction; the original 1996 ordering brochure and contemporary MacUser review establish sale in 1996, but a distinct first-sale month remains unresolved.