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Apple Macintosh 512K vs Apple Macintosh Plus

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh 512KAppleMacintosh Plus
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 1984January 1986
Performance
Processor68000 8 MHz (Macintosh 512K)68000 8 MHz (Macintosh Plus)
CPU cores11
Memory512 KB1 MB
CPU8 MHz 68000 with a 16-bit data path; no PMMU, FPU, cache or second processor8 MHz 68000 with 16-bit data path; no PMMU, FPU, cache or second processor. BYTE descriptive coverage identifies Motorola and 7.8336 MHz; maker's nominal 8 MHz retained
Memory typeFixed 0.5 MB onboard RAM, 64K ROM; no RAM slots or built-in memory expansion1 MB standard, expandable to 4 MB using four 30-pin SIMM slots; maker lists 256K or 1 MB modules installed in pairs, minimum speed 150 ns, and excludes two-chip 1 MB SIMMs. 128K ROM
Storage type400K removable floppy drive with manual loading; no internal hard drive, hard-drive interface or internal CD drive800K removable floppy drive with automatic loading; no internal hard drive or hard-drive interface. External storage connects over SCSI
Expansion slotsNoneNone
Display
Screen size9″9″
Resolution512 × 342512 × 342
PanelCRTCRT
Display typeBuilt-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 × 384Built-in one-bit monochrome CRT; 9-inch diagonal confirmed in Apple's original SE/30 owner manual, Macintosh product-line appendix. Maker's explicit 512 × 342 note corrects its generic 512 × 384 table
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackHeadphone jack
Back portsExternal 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 modemsDB-25 SCSI, DB-19 external floppy, printer and modem serial ports, speaker/headphone output; separate keyboard and mouse connections. No Ethernet or external video
Keyboard and mouse–Separate mouse and keyboard; BYTE describes the keyboard's numeric keypad and cursor keys
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailMaker 16.5 lb; 13.6 in height × 9.6 in width × 10.9 in depth, retained in original unitsMaker 16.5 lb; 13.6 in height × 9.6 in width × 10.9 in depth, retained in original units
Power supplyMaximum 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 boxOriginal 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 adoptedOriginal system software 1.1; maker introduced 16 January 1986, discontinued 15 October 1990. Release month from Macworld's historical timeline; exact first-sale day unverified

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