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Apple Macintosh IIvx vs Apple Macintosh Performa 600

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

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AppleMacintosh IIvxAppleMacintosh Performa 600
Overview
Released––
Performance
Processor68030 32 MHz (Macintosh IIvx)68030 32 MHz (Macintosh Performa 600)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB or 5 MB4 MB or 5 MB
Storage80 MB to 230 MB160 MB
CPU32 MHz Motorola 68030 with integrated paged memory management, separate 32 MHz 68882 floating-point coprocessor and 32 KB onboard cache. Apple support specifies a 16 MHz data path; the slower IIvi and FPU-less Performa 600 are separate modelsMotorola 68030 advertised as 32 MHz; Apple TIL 10681 gives the exact 31.3344 MHz clock. Integrated paged memory management, optional socketed 68882 at the same clock, and no external RAM cache. This is distinct from the 16 MHz IIvi and the IIvx with its standard FPU and 32 KB cache
GPU512 KB dedicated VRAM standard for 256 colours on the Macintosh Color Display; upgradable to 1 MB for 32,000 colours. The 5/80CD configuration includes 1 MB VRAMPerforma 600 has 512 KB VRAM; 600CD includes 1 MB. Supports 640 × 480 at 8-bit colour with 512 KB, or 16-bit colour with 1 MB; 512 × 384 RGB supports 16-bit colour with either capacity. Optional NuBus display cards support other monitors
Memory type4 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 ns4 MB soldered DRAM and four 30-pin SIMM slots, expandable to 68 MB with 80 ns or faster fast-page-mode memory. All four expansion SIMMs must have matching capacity and speed. 1 MB ROM and 256-byte parameter RAM
Storage type1.44 MB SuperDrive and internal SCSI hard disk. UK brochure offers 4/80, 4/230 and 5/80CD configurations; the third includes AppleCD 300i double-speed CD-ROM. The other two have an empty 5.25-inch half-height drive bayBoth original brochure configurations include a 160 MB internal SCSI hard disk and 1.4 MB SuperDrive. 600CD adds an AppleCD 300i double-speed CD-ROM drive with multisession Photo CD support; standard 600 leaves its half-height 5.25-inch bay free. Apple supports 80–400 MB internal hard drives; this supported range is not presented as extra factory configurations
Expansion slotsThree internal NuBus slots and a separate accelerator slot. Room for three internal storage devices, including the optional internal CD-ROM; Ethernet requires a cardThree NuBus slots and a separate processor-direct accelerator slot. No built-in Ethernet; LocalTalk uses the serial ports. Internal SCSI expansion bay and support for up to six external SCSI devices
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackHeadphone jack
Back portsTwo 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 connectorTwo ADB ports, DB-15 video, DB-25 SCSI, two mini-DIN-8 RS-232/RS-422 serial ports, mono sound input and sound output. Serial maximum 230.4 kbit/s, or 0.920 Mbit/s with an external clock
External displaysBuilt-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 separatelySeparate display required; the original brochure shows an optional 14-inch Performa Plus Display. Built-in video also supports the published Apple 12-inch monochrome/RGB, AppleColor High-Resolution RGB and Macintosh Color displays, plus 640 × 480 VGA with an appropriate adaptor
SpeakersCustom sound chip, internal sound and external sound output; stereo playback from compact discs. Mono sound input and supplied electret omnidirectional microphoneComputer-generated audio is mono, sent to both channels of a stereo output device. Audio CDs provide stereo at the sound-output socket, or mono through the built-in speaker. Electret omnidirectional microphone supplied
Keyboard and mouseApple Desktop Bus mouse and microphone; separate monitor and keyboardApple Extended Keyboard II, ADB mouse and microphone. Display sold separately; original Apple brochure photographs show the optional display with each configuration
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight11.3 kg11.3 kg
Width × depth × height330 × 419 × 152 mm–
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailPublished 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 devicesApple specifies 25 lb (11.3 kg), 6 inches high, 13 inches wide and 16.5 inches deep. TIL 10681 prints an inconsistent metric height of 152 cm beside 6 inches; dimensions_mm is omitted rather than silently correcting that source
Power supplyUK Apple brochure gives 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase and 112 W maximum not including monitor. Apple archived table lists 230 W maximum; shared Service Source lists 200 W AC and 112 W DC. These ratings are not treated as measured consumption. 3.6 V lithium clock backup batteryApple TIL 10681 states 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz and 112 W maximum excluding monitor; it also gives 112 W maximum DC output. Current archived support lists 230 W maximum and shared Service Source gives 200 W AC and 112 W DC. These differing ratings are retained without selecting a single headline consumption figure
In the boxSystem 7.1, documentation and software. Apple introduction date is 19 October 1992; first actual retail sale has not been established independently, so released is omitted. UK brochure configuration and supplied accessories may differ in other regionsSystem 7.1P for the Performa 600, At Ease, Macintosh PC Exchange and application software varying by retailer. Apple introduced it on 14 September 1992; the original launch planned later availability, and an actual first retail date has not been independently established, so released is omitted

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