Request a product

Apple Macintosh Classic vs Apple Macintosh SE/30

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh ClassicAppleMacintosh SE/30
Overview
ReleasedOctober 19901989
Performance
Processor68000 8 MHz (Macintosh Classic)68030 16 MHz (Macintosh SE/30)
CPU cores11
Memory1 MB or 2 MB1 MB or 4 MB
Storage40 MB40 MB to 80 MB
CPU8 MHz 68000 with 16-bit data path; no PMMU, FPU, cache or second processorNominal 16 MHz 68030 with 32-bit data path, integrated PMMU and 68882 FPU; 0.5K L1 cache, no L2 or second processor. Original owner manual specifies 15.6672 MHz exact clock; nominal support-sheet rating retained
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 ROMEight 30-pin SIMM slots in groups of four, 120 ns or faster; support sheet certifies 1–32 MB and 256K, 1 MB or 4 MB modules. Original manual describes 8 MB with then-current modules and future 128 MB expansion; limits depend on installed modules and software. 256K ROM
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 descriptionsFactory choices from original Apple technical procedures are 1 MB RAM with floppy only, 1 MB with 40 MB SCSI disk, or 4 MB with 80 MB SCSI disk; all have an FDHD high-density floppy drive. Original capacity units retained; floppy capacity is removable storage
Expansion slotsNo processor expansion slot; memory expansion card required beyond 1 MBOne 120-pin 32-bit 030 Direct Slot; optional monitor connection requires a compatible video card
Display
Screen size9″9″
Resolution512 × 342512 × 342
PanelCRTCRT
Refresh rate–60.1 Hz
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 tableBuilt-in 9-inch one-bit monochrome CRT, 512 × 342 pixels. Maker's explicit note and owner manual correct generic support table's 512 × 384
Display features–Original owner manual specifies exact 60.1 Hz refresh
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackHeadphone jack
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 portTwo ADB ports, DB-19 external floppy, DB-25 SCSI, two RS-232/RS-422 serial ports and stereo mini-phone audio output; no built-in Ethernet or external video socket
SpeakersFour-voice 8-bit sound at 22 kHz; built-in speaker and headphone output described in Apple technical libraryApple Sound Chip supports four-voice wavetable synthesis and stereo sampling; mixed stereo through a monophonic internal speaker, stereo through external sound port
Keyboard and mouseApple Keyboard II and ADB mouse, according to original Apple technical libraryChoice of Apple Keyboard or Apple Extended Keyboard; ADB mouse, as described in original owner manual
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Width × depth × height246 × 285 × 336 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 suppliedMaker 19.5 lb; 13.6 in height × 9.6 in width × 10.9 in depth, retained in original units
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 conflictMaximum 75 W, 120–240 V, 48–62 Hz, 0.63 A; 3.6 V lithium clock battery
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 6.0.3. Maker introduction 19 January 1989 is not treated as exact first sale; earliest actual-sale month unresolved in bounded search, released year only

More comparisons