Apple Macintosh IIfx vs Apple Macintosh IIvi
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleMacintosh IIfx | AppleMacintosh IIvi | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | 1990 | – |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | 68030 40 MHz (Macintosh IIfx) | 68030 16 MHz (Macintosh Color Classic) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Memory | 4 MB | 4 MB or 5 MB (better) |
| Storage | 80 MB to 160 MB | 40 MB to 160 MB |
| CPU | 40 MHz Motorola 68030 with integrated memory-management unit and 68882 floating-point coprocessor; 0.5 KB L1 and 32 KB L2 cache | Nominal 16 MHz Motorola MC68030 with integrated paged memory management; Apple developer note gives the actual 15.6672 MHz clock. Optional MC68882 floating-point coprocessor socket; no onboard external RAM cache. The 32 MHz IIvx and Performa 600 are distinct models |
| GPU | No built-in video; a compatible NuBus video card is required for a display | 512 KB dedicated VRAM standard, expandable to 1 MB with 100 ns VRAM SIMMs. 512 KB supports 16-bit colour at 512 × 384 or 8-bit at 640 × 480; 1 MB supports 16-bit at 640 × 480. The 5/80CD configuration includes 1 MB VRAM |
| Memory type | Eight 64-pin SIMM slots in banks of four, using 80 ns or faster memory; Apple lists 4–128 MB and a 512 KB ROM. The 64-pin modules are specific to the IIfx. | 4 MB soldered DRAM plus four 30-pin SIMM slots, filled in groups of four; supports up to 68 MB. 1 MB ROM; minimum SIMM speed 80 ns |
| Storage type | One or two internal 1.44 MB floppy drives, with optional 40–160 MB SCSI hard drives; 4 MB floppy-only, 80 MB and 160 MB configurations are represented here | 1.44 MB SuperDrive and internal SCSI hard disk. Exact UK brochure offers 4/40, 4/80 and 5/80CD; Apple Europe/Pacific launch table also lists 4/160. The 5/80CD has AppleCD 300i double-speed CD-ROM and 1 MB VRAM. Other configurations have an empty 5.25-inch half-height drive bay |
| Expansion slots | Six NuBus slots and one processor-direct slot | Three internal NuBus slots and a separate accelerator slot. Room for three internal storage devices, including the optional internal CD-ROM; Ethernet requires a card |
| Display | ||
| Screen | None built in | None built in |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | Headphone jack | Headphone jack |
| Back ports | Two Apple Desktop Bus ports, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports and sound output; no built-in video or Ethernet | Two ADB, DB-15 video, DB-25 SCSI, two RS-232/RS-422 mini-DIN-8 serial ports, sound input and sound output. No built-in Ethernet, USB or external floppy connector |
| External displays | A NuBus video card is required; resolution and colour depth depend on the fitted card | Built-in video supports Macintosh 12-inch monochrome/RGB, AppleColor High-Resolution RGB and Macintosh Color displays. Larger or higher-colour displays need an appropriate NuBus video card; monitor and keyboard sold separately |
| Speakers | Internal speaker and sound output | Mono Macintosh sound input/output and an internal speaker, with stereo compact-disc playback through the sound-output jack. Supplied electret omnidirectional microphone |
| Keyboard and mouse | – | Apple Desktop Bus mouse and microphone; separate monitor and keyboard |
| Design and power | ||
| Type | Compact | Compact |
| Weight | 10.9 kg (better) | 11.3 kg |
| Width × depth × height | 475 × 366 × 140 mm | 330 × 419 × 152 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Size and weight detail | Apple's 5.5 × 18.7 × 14.4 inch and 24 lb reference dimensions; metric fields are rounded conversions | Published UK brochure metric measurements retained: 15.2 cm high, 33.0 cm wide and 41.9 cm deep; 11.3 kg varies with installed internal devices |
| Power supply | Maximum 230 W; 100–240 V AC, 48–62 Hz; 3.6 V lithium clock battery and keyboard soft power | UK Apple brochure gives 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase and 112 W maximum excluding monitor. Archived Apple support lists 230 W maximum; shared service manual lists 200 W AC and 112 W DC. Preserve these different ratings rather than treating them as measured consumption. 3.6 V lithium clock backup battery |
| In the box | Original System Software 6.0.5. Apple lists 19 March 1990 as introduction; a separate maker first-sale date was not established. | System 7.1 and System Enabler 001, documentation, mouse and microphone; keyboard and monitor sold separately. Apple announced the IIvi on 19 October 1992 for selected countries outside the US. UK ordering brochure is printed September 1992; neither its print date nor introduction establishes first actual retail sale, so released is omitted |
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