Apple Macintosh IIcx vs Apple Macintosh LC III+

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Macintosh IIcx compared with Macintosh LC III+
AppleMacintosh IIcxAppleMacintosh LC III+
Overview
Released1989–
Performance
Processor68030 16 MHz (Macintosh IIcx)68030 33 MHz (Macintosh LC III+)
CPU cores11
Memory1 MB or 4 MB4 MB
Storage40 MB to 80 MB–
CPU16 MHz Motorola 68030 with integrated memory-management unit and 68882 floating-point coprocessor; 0.5 KB L1 cacheMotorola 68030 at 33 MHz with integrated memory management and 32-bit data path; optional socketed 68882, 0.5 KB first-level cache and no second-level cache. Apple Service Guide identifies the Performa 460, 466 and 467 as the 33 MHz LC III family; these aliases are not separate product records
GPUNo built-in video; a compatible NuBus video card is required for a display512 KB built-in VRAM, expandable to 768 KB with a 256 KB SIMM. A 512 KB VRAM SIMM may be fitted but only 256 KB is used. At 640 × 480 and 832 × 624, standard memory supports 8-bit colour; upgraded VRAM supports 16-bit colour
Memory typeEight 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.4 MB soldered RAM plus one 72-pin SIMM socket, maximum 36 MB. Apple specifies 80 ns minimum memory speed and SIMM capacities 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 MB. 1 MB ROM
Storage typeInternal 1.44 MB floppy drive and 40 or 80 MB internal SCSI hard-drive configurationsApple LC III+ support lists 80–160 MB internal SCSI hard disks and an automatic-inject 1.44 MB floppy drive. Exact original RAM/drive configuration pairing is unresolved, so structured storage capacity is omitted. Apple July 1994 Service Guide gives conflicting 80 MB and 180 MB values for Performa 460 in different tables; those are not silently assigned to this model. Performa 460-series bundles use a manual-insert SuperDrive
Expansion slotsThree NuBus slots; Low End Mac describes the smaller case and tool-free internal accessOne LC III processor-direct expansion slot. Ethernet requires an expansion card; no built-in Ethernet
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackHeadphone jack
Back portsTwo Apple Desktop Bus ports, DB-19 external floppy, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports and sound output; no built-in video or EthernetOne ADB, DB-15 video, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports, omnidirectional microphone input and speaker output. No external floppy connector
External displaysA NuBus video card is required; resolution and colour depth depend on the fitted cardSeparate monitor required. Apple specifies 512 × 384 and 640 × 400 at 16-bit colour, plus 640 × 480 and 832 × 624 with colour depth depending on VRAM capacity
Keyboard and mouse–Performa 460-series bundles include an ADB keyboard and mouse and may include a monitor and modem; the museum photo shows the Performa 460-labelled computer alone. Exact LC III+ supplied-accessory bundle is unpublished in the recovered support record
SpeakersInternal speaker and sound output–
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight6.2 kg–
Width × depth × height302 × 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 LC III+ record publishes 8.8 lb and 2.9 inches high × 12.2 inches wide × 15.3 inches deep. Unpublished metric measurements are omitted
Power supplyMaximum 159 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; 3.6 V lithium clock battery and keyboard soft powerApple LC III+ support lists 100–240 V, 47–63 Hz, 50 W maximum, 0.42 A and 171 BTU/hour. These are maker ratings, not measured consumption. 3.6 V lithium clock battery
In the boxOriginal System Software 6.0.3. Apple lists 7 March 1989 as introduction; a separate maker first-sale date was not established.Original System 7.1 with System Enabler 003 v1.1. Apple introduction date 18 October 1993 is not established as an actual first retail sale, so released is omitted

More comparisons