Apple Macintosh Centris 660AV vs Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180

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Macintosh Centris 660AV compared with Macintosh Performa 6400/180
AppleMacintosh Centris 660AVAppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180
Overview
Released19931996
Performance
ProcessorMotorola 68040 25 MHz (Macintosh Centris 660AV)PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB16 MB (better)
Storage81.92 MB1.6 GB (better)
CPU25 MHz Motorola 68040 with integrated floating-point unit, 8 KB L1 cache and 32-bit data path; separate 55 MHz AT&T 3210 digital signal processor180 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 1 MB VRAM supports 832 × 624 at 16-bit colour or 1152 × 870 at 8-bit colour1 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 soldered memory and two 72-pin SIMM slots; Apple lists 4–68 MB total with 70 ns memory8 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 developer note lists an 80 MB internal SCSI hard drive in its base configuration; support lists an 80–500 MB range. A 1.44 MB floppy drive is built in; a 2× CD-ROM was an option.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 slotsOne short NuBus card using an optional angle adapter, or a processor-direct cardTwo 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
Connections
PortsEthernetHeadphone jack
Front ports–3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.
Back portsDB-15 monitor output, Apple Desktop Bus, external DB-25 SCSI, two serial connections including GeoPort, AAUI Ethernet, composite and S-video input and output, sound input and outputDB-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–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, 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.
External displaysBuilt-in video supports one external monitor at up to 1152 × 870 pixels in 8-bit colour–
Design and power
TypeCompactTower
Width × depth × height–198 × 428 × 406 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailApple lists 3.4 × 16.3 × 15.6 inches and 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 supplyMaximum 86 W; 100–240 V AC at 50–60 Hz; 3.6 V lithium clock batteryExact 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 boxOriginal System Software 7.1. Apple lists 29 July 1993 as introduction; a separate first-sale date was not established. Apple's developer note gives a 4 MB/80 MB base configuration, while later catalogue sources mention larger bundled options.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.

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