Apple Macintosh Color Classic vs Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180

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Macintosh Color Classic compared with Macintosh Performa 6400/180

	AppleMacintosh Color Classic	AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180
Overview
Released
Released	February 1993	1996
Performance
Processor
Processor	68030 16 MHz (Macintosh Color Classic)	PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	4 MB	16 MB (better)
Storage
Storage	40 MB to 160 MB	1.6 GB (better)
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	180 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
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 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	8 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 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	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 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	Two 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 size
Screen size	8.2″	None built in
Resolution
Resolution	512 × 384	–
Panel
Panel	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	–
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
Front ports
Front ports	–	3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.
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	DB-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
Speakers	Built-in speaker and omnidirectional electret microphone; mono 8-bit output at 22 kHz, sound input at 22 or 11 kHz	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 and mouse	ADB keyboard with numeric keypad and two-level tilt adjustment, Apple ADB Mouse II	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.
Design and power
Type
Type	All-in-one	Tower
Weight
Weight	10.2 kg	–
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	251 × 320 × 368 mm	198 × 428 × 406 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	Original 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
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	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 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	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.