Apple Macintosh IIci vs Apple Macintosh IIcx

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Macintosh IIci compared with Macintosh IIcx
AppleMacintosh IIciAppleMacintosh IIcx
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 19891989
Performance
Processor68030 25 MHz (Macintosh IIci)68030 16 MHz (Macintosh IIcx)
CPU cores11
Memory1 MB1 MB or 4 MB (better)
Storage40 MB40 MB to 80 MB (better)
CPU25 MHz Motorola 68030 with integrated memory management and 68882 floating-point coprocessor; 0.5 KB L1 cache16 MHz Motorola 68030 with integrated memory-management unit and 68882 floating-point coprocessor; 0.5 KB L1 cache
GPUBuilt-in video uses 64–320 KB of system RAM and supports 8-bit colour at 512 × 384 or 640 × 480; NuBus graphics cards can also be fittedNo built-in video; a compatible NuBus video card is required for a display
Memory typeEight 30-pin SIMM slots in two banks of four; 80 ns fast-page memory, 1–128 MB supported by Apple; 512 KB ROMEight 30-pin SIMM slots in two banks of four; Apple lists 1–128 MB using 120 ns memory and a 256 KB ROM. The original ROM uses 24-bit addressing without a 32-bit software extension.
Storage typeInternal 1.44 MB floppy drive and space for one 40 or 80 MB SCSI hard drive; Low End Mac documents an original floppy-only offering and a 40 MB hard-drive configurationInternal 1.44 MB floppy drive and 40 or 80 MB internal SCSI hard-drive configurations
Expansion slotsThree NuBus slots plus a cache/processor-direct connector; Apple's later support sheet lists 32 KB L2 cache, while its original developer note calls the cache card optionalThree NuBus slots; Low End Mac describes the smaller case and tool-free internal access
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackHeadphone jack
Back portsTwo Apple Desktop Bus ports, DB-15 video, DB-19 external floppy, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports and stereo sound output; no built-in EthernetTwo Apple Desktop Bus ports, DB-19 external floppy, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports and sound output; no built-in video or Ethernet
External displaysBuilt-in video supports Apple's 12-inch monochrome, 13-inch RGB and 15-inch portrait displays; other displays require a compatible NuBus cardA NuBus video card is required; resolution and colour depth depend on the fitted card
SpeakersInternal speaker and stereo 8-bit sound outputInternal speaker and sound output
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight6.2 kg6.2 kg
Width × depth × height302 × 366 × 140 mm302 × 366 × 140 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailApple's 5.5 × 11.9 × 14.4 inch and 13.6 lb reference dimensions; metric fields are rounded conversionsApple's 5.5 × 11.9 × 14.4 inch and 13.6 lb reference dimensions; metric fields are rounded conversions
Power supplyMaximum 159 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; 3.6 V lithium clock battery and keyboard soft powerMaximum 159 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; 3.6 V lithium clock battery and keyboard soft power
In the boxOriginal System Software 6.0.4. Apple lists 20 September 1989 as introduction; Low End Mac reports September availability without a separate first-sale dayOriginal System Software 6.0.3. Apple lists 7 March 1989 as introduction; a separate maker first-sale date was not established.

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