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Apple Macintosh Classic vs Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180

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

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AppleMacintosh ClassicAppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180
Overview
ReleasedOctober 19901996
Performance
Processor68000 8 MHz (Macintosh Classic)PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)
CPU cores11
Memory1 MB or 2 MB16 MB
Storage40 MB1.6 GB
CPU8 MHz 68000 with 16-bit data path; no PMMU, FPU, cache or second 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.
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 type1 MB onboard, expandable to 4 MB using a memory expansion card and two paired 30-pin SIMMs; current support sheet specifies 120 ns modules and 256K or 1 MB sizes, excluding two-chip 1 MB modules. Older Apple technical library lists 150 ns and 32-pin; current support sheet controls. 512K ROM8 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 type1.44 MB removable floppy; optional 40 MB internal SCSI hard disk. Original capacity units retained. Apple Australia October 1991 brochure explicitly offers 2 MB floppy-only and 2 MB/40 MB configurations; original 1 MB floppy-only base is identified by contemporary model descriptions1.6 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 slotsNo processor expansion slot; memory expansion card required beyond 1 MBTwo 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 size9″None built in
Resolution512 × 342–
PanelCRT–
Display typeBuilt-in 9-inch monochrome CRT, 512 × 342 pixels; original Apple technical library and Australia brochure corroborate the explicit support-sheet correction to its generic 512 × 384 table–
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackHeadphone jack
Front ports–3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.
Back portsOne ADB, DB-19 external floppy, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports, and sound output; no built-in Ethernet or external video portDB-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.
SpeakersFour-voice 8-bit sound at 22 kHz; built-in speaker and headphone output described in Apple technical libraryBuilt-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 mouseApple Keyboard II and ADB mouse, according to original Apple technical libraryKeyboard, 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
TypeAll-in-oneTower
Width × depth × height246 × 285 × 336 mm198 × 428 × 406 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailApple technical library gives 33.6 cm height × 24.6 cm width × 28.5 cm depth; current support sheet gives 16 lb. Internal drive affects weight, so no single converted weight suppliedOriginal 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 supplyCurrent support sheet specifies maximum 76 W, 120 V, 47–63 Hz and 0.63 A; 3.6 V lithium clock battery. Older Apple technical library states 100 W, retained as a source conflictExact 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 6.0.7. Apple introduction 15 October 1990 is not treated as exact first sale; October 1990 sale month comes from Wikipedia's historical model account, cross-checked against contemporary November and February retail coverageOriginal 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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