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Apple Macintosh IIsi vs Apple Macintosh LC

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh IIsiAppleMacintosh LC
Overview
ReleasedOctober 1990October 1990
Performance
Processor68030 20 MHz (Macintosh IIsi)68020 16 MHz (Macintosh LC)
CPU cores11
Memory1 MB2 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 adapter16 MHz Motorola 68020 with a 16-bit data path and 0.25 KB L1 cache; no standard paged memory-management unit or floating-point coprocessor
GPUBuilt-in 8-bit colour video supports 512 × 384 and 640 × 480 using 64–320 KB of system RAMIntegrated video has 256 KB VRAM, supporting 8-bit colour at 512 × 384 or 4-bit at 640 × 480; 512 KB VRAM upgrade permits 16-bit colour at 512 × 384 or 8-bit at 640 × 480
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 ROM2 MB soldered to the logic board plus two 30-pin SIMM slots, populated as a matched pair; 100 ns memory and 2–10 MB total supported by Apple; 512 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 sheet40 MB internal SCSI hard drive and 1.44 MB floppy in the standard configuration reported by Low End Mac; a dual-floppy education version was also offered
Expansion slotsOne processor-direct slot can be used directly or with an optional NuBus adapter; no built-in NuBus slot or L2 cacheOne LC processor-direct slot; optional 68881 floating-point card occupies it
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 EthernetApple Desktop Bus, DB-15 video, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports, microphone input and sound output; no built-in Ethernet or external floppy port
External displaysBuilt-in video supports an Apple colour display at 640 × 480 with 8-bit colour; a compatible expansion graphics card can extend display optionsBuilt-in video supports 512 × 384 and 640 × 480 Apple displays; colour depth depends on fitted VRAM
SpeakersInternal speaker, stereo 8-bit sound output and mono audio inputInternal speaker with mono audio input and output
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight4.5 kg4 kg
Width × depth × height315 × 378 × 102 mm310 × 389 × 74 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 2.9 × 12.2 × 15.3 inch and 8.8 lb reference dimensions; 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 50 W; 90–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; 3.6 V lithium clock battery
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 6.0.7. Apple lists 15 October 1990 as introduction; Low End Mac also dates release to October 1990

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