Apple Macintosh Color Classic vs Apple Macintosh LC 550

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Macintosh Color Classic compared with Macintosh LC 550

	AppleMacintosh Color Classic	AppleMacintosh LC 550
Overview
Released
Released	February 1993	1994
Performance
Processor
Processor	68030 16 MHz (Macintosh Color Classic)	Motorola 68030 33 MHz (Macintosh LC 550)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	4 MB	4 MB
Storage
Storage	40 MB to 160 MB	160 MB
CPU
CPU	16 MHz Motorola 68030 with 16-bit data bus, integrated PMMU and 0.5K L1 cache; optional 68882 maths coprocessor, no supplied FPU, L2 cache or second processor	33 MHz Motorola 68030 with built-in memory management unit and socket for an optional 68882 floating-point unit
GPU
GPU	–	512 KB video RAM displays 8-bit colour at 640 × 480; an upgrade to 768 KB enables 16-bit colour
Memory type
Memory type	4 MB onboard, expandable to 10 MB using two paired 30-pin SIMMs, 100 ns minimum; 1, 2 or 4 MB modules. With two 4 MB SIMMs the lower 2 MB onboard cannot be addressed. 1 MB ROM	4 MB on the logic board with one 72-pin SIMM socket, expandable to 36 MB
Storage type
Storage type	Original Apple Facts and Apple Direct describe 4 MB memory with 40, 80 or 160 MB internal SCSI disks, varying by country; original US ordering sheet explicitly identifies 4 MB/80 MB M1602LL/A. 1.44 MB removable SuperDrive floppy; optional external CD-ROM. Original capacity units retained	160 MB internal SCSI hard drive configuration, 1.44 MB floppy drive and optional internal 2× CD-ROM. Apple's 1994 technical booklet also lists 40 and 80 MB drives; its later support sheet lists 160 MB minimum.
Expansion slots
Expansion slots	One LC-compatible 96-pin processor-direct slot and optional maths-coprocessor socket; slide-out logic board provides access to memory, VRAM and expansion	One LC processor-direct slot
Display
Screen size
Screen size	8.2″	14″
Resolution
Resolution	512 × 384	640 × 480 (better)
Panel
Panel	CRT	CRT
Refresh rate
Refresh rate	60.15 Hz	–
Display type
Display type	Sony Trinitron colour CRT; maker display-component sheet distinguishes 10-inch tube from 8.2-inch viewable area, retained as the main display size. 512 × 384 Macintosh mode, exact 60.15 Hz refresh and 24.48 kHz horizontal scan	Built-in 14-inch Trinitron colour CRT with 640 × 480 pixels
Display features
Display features	256K VRAM supplies 256 colours; optional additional 256K VRAM enables 32,768 colours. Apple IIe card provides 560 × 384 mode at the same 60.15 Hz; this optional-card mode is not native Macintosh resolution	–
Connections
Ports
Ports	Headphone jack	Headphone jack
Back ports
Back ports	Two ADB, DB-25 SCSI, two RS-232/RS-422 serial ports, mono sound input and mono sound output. LocalTalk networking through serial port; Ethernet needs an optional expansion card, no built-in external video or floppy connector	Two Apple Desktop Bus ports, two serial ports, external SCSI, audio input and stereo output; front headphone jack
Speakers
Speakers	Built-in speaker and omnidirectional electret microphone; mono 8-bit output at 22 kHz, sound input at 22 or 11 kHz	Two built-in stereo speakers
Microphones
Microphones	–	Built-in microphone
Keyboard and mouse
Keyboard and mouse	ADB keyboard with numeric keypad and two-level tilt adjustment, Apple ADB Mouse II	–
Design and power
Type
Type	All-in-one	All-in-one
Weight
Weight	10.2 kg (better)	18.4 kg
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	251 × 320 × 368 mm	344 × 419.8 × 443.4 mm
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Size and weight detail
Size and weight detail	Main dimensions and 10.2 kg weight use original Apple Facts metric figures. Original technical library gives 22.5–23.2 lb (10.2–10.5 kg) depending on configuration and slightly different rounded centimetre dimensions	–
Power supply
Power supply	Maximum 100 W, automatic 90–240 V AC, 47–63 Hz, 0.83 A; 3.6 V lithium clock battery. Keyboard power control and display power-saving mode	–
In the box
In the box	Original system software 7.1 and System Enabler 401. Maker announcement 10 February 1993 is not treated as exact first sale; February sale month uses Wikipedia's historical sold-period account, with original March Apple Direct describing an available US configuration. Colour Classic is the regional spelling; no separate Performa 250 or Color Classic II generation added here	Apple's support sheet lists 2 February 1994 as introduction, but a distinct first-sale date was not established. Its support sheet says 40 W maximum whereas its 1994 technical booklet says 120 W; power is therefore omitted.