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Apple Macintosh IIci vs Apple Macintosh IIx

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh IIciAppleMacintosh IIx
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 1989September 1988
Performance
Processor68030 25 MHz (Macintosh IIci)68030 16 MHz (Macintosh IIx)
CPU cores11
Memory1 MB1 MB
Storage40 MB40 MB
CPU25 MHz Motorola 68030 with integrated memory management and 68882 floating-point coprocessor; 0.5 KB L1 cacheNominal 16 MHz 68030 with integrated paged memory management unit and 68882 floating-point coprocessor; 0.5 KB L1 cache, no L2 cache or second processor
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 integrated video output; a separately sold NuBus video card is required
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 populated in groups of four, 120 ns or faster; Apple's support sheet certifies 1–32 MB with 256 KB, 1 MB or 4 MB modules. Larger third-party configurations are not represented as maker-supported; 256 KB ROM
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 configurationOne or two 1.44 MB high-density floppy drives; optional 40–80 MB internal SCSI hard drives. Factory configurations shown are the 1 MB floppy-only system and Low End Mac's separately priced 1 MB/40 MB system; no 80 MB/RAM pair inferred
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 optionalSix NuBus slots, one occupied when a display video card is installed
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-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports and stereo sound output; no built-in Ethernet or video socket
External displaysBuilt-in video supports Apple's 12-inch monochrome, 13-inch RGB and 15-inch portrait displays; other displays require a compatible NuBus cardRequires a NuBus video card; available resolutions and colour depths depend on the card
SpeakersInternal speaker and stereo 8-bit sound outputBuilt-in speaker and stereo 8-bit sound output
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight6.2 kg10.9 kg
Width × depth × height302 × 366 × 140 mm475 × 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 reference dimensions are 5.5 × 18.7 × 14.4 inches and 24 lb; 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 230 W; 90–270 V AC, 48–62 Hz, 1.9 A; 3.6 V lithium clock battery and 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 6.0.1. Apple introduced the IIx on 19 September 1988; an independent model chronology records September availability, without an exact first-sale day

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