Apple Macintosh Centris 610 vs Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180

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Macintosh Centris 610 compared with Macintosh Performa 6400/180
AppleMacintosh Centris 610AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180
Overview
Released19931996
Performance
ProcessorMotorola 68LC040 20 MHz (Macintosh Centris 610)PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB16 MB (better)
Storage80 MB1.6 GB (better)
CPU20 MHz Motorola 68LC040 with integrated memory management unit and 8 KB L1 cache, but no floating-point unit180 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.
GPUBuilt-in video has 512 KB VRAM standard and supports up to 1 MB; at 640 × 480, 8-bit colour is standard and 16-bit colour requires the VRAM upgrade1 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 type4 MB on the logic board with two 72-pin SIMM slots, expandable to 68 MB8 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 typeApple's specification lists internal SCSI hard drives from 80 to 500 MB, a 1.44 MB floppy drive and optional 2× CD-ROM drive1.6 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 slotsOne expansion position for either a seven-inch NuBus card or a processor-direct-slot card, using the appropriate adapterTwo 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
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Design and power
TypeCompactTower
Width × depth × height415 × 397 × 85 mm198 × 428 × 406 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailApple lists a weight of 14 lbOriginal 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–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 boxApple lists 10 February 1993 as introduction; a distinct first-sale date was not established. The 86 W specification is power-supply capacity, not measured running consumption.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.
Connections
Ports–Headphone jack
Front ports–3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.
Back portsTwo Apple Desktop Bus ports, two serial ports, external DB-25 SCSI, DB-15 video, audio input and output; Apple AUI Ethernet was optionalDB-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.
SpeakersBuilt-in mono speaker with stereo audio outputBuilt-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, 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.

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