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Apple Macintosh IIsi vs Apple Macintosh IIx

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh IIsiAppleMacintosh IIx
Overview
ReleasedOctober 1990September 1988
Performance
Processor68030 20 MHz (Macintosh IIsi)68030 16 MHz (Macintosh IIx)
CPU cores11
Memory1 MB1 MB
Storage–40 MB
CPU20 MHz Motorola 68030 with integrated memory management and 0.5 KB L1 cache; 68882 floating-point coprocessor optional through an expansion adapterNominal 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 8-bit colour video supports 512 × 384 and 640 × 480 using 64–320 KB of system RAMNo integrated video output; a separately sold NuBus video card is required
Memory type1 MB soldered to the logic board plus four 30-pin SIMM slots in one matched bank; 100 ns memory and 1–17 MB total 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 with SCSI hard-drive options of 40 or 80 MB; Apple does not document the paired RAM and drive configurations on its support sheetOne 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 slotsOne processor-direct slot can be used directly or with an optional NuBus adapter; no built-in NuBus slot or L2 cacheSix NuBus slots, one occupied when a display video card is installed
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackHeadphone jack
Back portsOne Apple Desktop Bus port, DB-15 video, DB-19 external floppy, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports, sound output and microphone input; 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 an Apple colour display at 640 × 480 with 8-bit colour; a compatible expansion graphics card can extend display optionsRequires a NuBus video card; available resolutions and colour depths depend on the card
SpeakersInternal speaker, stereo 8-bit sound output and mono audio inputBuilt-in speaker and stereo 8-bit sound output
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight4.5 kg10.9 kg
Width × depth × height315 × 378 × 102 mm475 × 366 × 140 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailApple's 4 × 12.4 × 14.9 inch and 10 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 160 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 6.0.7. Apple lists 15 October 1990 as the introduction date; no separate first-sale day was foundOriginal 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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