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Apple Macintosh Color Classic vs Apple Macintosh TV

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh Color ClassicAppleMacintosh TV
Overview
ReleasedFebruary 1993October 1993
Performance
Processor68030 16 MHz (Macintosh Color Classic)68030 32 MHz (Macintosh IIvx)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB5 MB
Storage40 MB to 160 MB160 MB
CPU16 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 processorMotorola MC68030 at nominal 32 MHz, with integrated paged memory management and a 16 MHz system bus; 0.5 KB L1 cache, no L2 cache and no floating-point coprocessor. Service Source claims an optional math socket, conflicting with the exact Apple support table and both contemporary reviews; that capability is not adopted
GPU–512 KB fixed VRAM supports 256 colours in computer mode at 640 × 480. Television mode uses 640 × 240 with 16-bit colour; TV video is full-screen and cannot be displayed in a desktop window. Apple shared display record specifies 14-inch Trinitron tube, 13-inch viewable area, 0.26 mm aperture-grille pitch and 66.62 Hz Macintosh mode
Memory type4 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 ROM5 MB supplied: 4 MB on the logic board plus a 1 MB 72-pin SIMM; expandable to 8 MB by replacing it with 4 MB. Exact Apple Tech Info Library specifies 80 ns fast-page SIMMs; service manual says 100 ns, so the stricter maker requirement retained. 1 MB ROM
Storage typeOriginal 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 retained160 MB internal SCSI hard disk, 1.44 MB Apple SuperDrive floppy and AppleCD 300i double-speed CD-ROM for data, audio CDs and Kodak Photo CDs
Expansion slotsOne LC-compatible 96-pin processor-direct slot and optional maths-coprocessor socket; slide-out logic board provides access to memory, VRAM and expansionNo available general-purpose expansion slots; the internal TV hardware occupies the nonstandard slot. External SCSI supports up to six peripherals
Display
Screen size8.2″14″
Resolution512 × 384640 × 480
PanelCRTCRT
Refresh rate60.15 Hz66.62 Hz
Display typeSony 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 features256K 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
PortsHeadphone jack2 × headphone jack
Back portsTwo 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 connectorDB-25 SCSI, two RS-232/RS-422 mini-DIN-8 serial ports, two ADB ports and stereo sound output. Coaxial antenna/cable input plus RCA composite-video and sound inputs for external AV equipment; front stereo headphone socket. No built-in Ethernet, USB, external floppy connector or computer video-output port
External displays–Uses the built-in CRT; no computer video-output port. US-only NTSC 181-channel cable-ready tuner, with no PAL or SECAM version. TV software supports still-frame capture, closed captions, channel scanning and password protection; does not record QuickTime movies
SpeakersBuilt-in speaker and omnidirectional electret microphone; mono 8-bit output at 22 kHz, sound input at 22 or 11 kHzBuilt-in stereo speakers; 8-bit digital-to-analogue output with 22 kHz sampling, plus stereo compact-disc playback. TV/video audio can continue while the Macintosh desktop is visible. RCA AV audio inputs are distinct from a computer microphone input, which Apple removed from the corrected specification in November 1993
Keyboard and mouseADB keyboard with numeric keypad and two-level tilt adjustment, Apple ADB Mouse IIMatching black ADB keyboard and mouse, infrared remote control, preinstalled productivity software and bundled CD-ROM titles; software bundle varies by channel
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight10.2 kg18.9 kg
Width × depth × height251 × 320 × 368 mm–
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailMain 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 dimensionsExact Apple Tech Info Library gives 445 mm high, 344 mm wide, 420 mm deep and 18.9 kg for the main unit. Service Source agrees on weight, width and depth but gives 455 mm height; current archive instead lists 40.5 lb and the LC 520 form factor. Headline dimensions omitted because height conflict remains unresolved. Keyboard and mouse weights excluded
Power supplyMaximum 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 modeCorrected Apple Tech Info Library gives 90–264 V AC, 47–63 Hz; 40 W maximum excluding display or 60 W including display. Service manual gives 100–240 V and 120 W maximum, an unresolved rating conflict; these are published maximum ratings, not measured use. 3.6 V lithium clock battery
In the boxOriginal 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 hereSystem 7.1 with System Enabler 404. Apple release dated 25 October 1993 states immediate US availability through selected retailers, higher-education campuses and the Apple Catalog; the Fall 1993 order catalogue and January 1994 MacUser article confirm it was sold. Maker press-release text preserved in November 1993 Mini’app’les newsletter

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