Request a product

Apple Macintosh IIvx vs Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh IIvxAppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180
Overview
Released–1996
Performance
Processor68030 32 MHz (Macintosh IIvx)PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB or 5 MB16 MB
Storage80 MB to 230 MB1.6 GB
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 models180 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 cache and a 64-bit 40 MHz bus. The 256 KB Apple High Performance Module L2 cache is optional, unlike the standard cache of the 6400/200. The shared Service Source calls the processor 603ev; the exact specification page and original brochure use 603e.
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 VRAM1 MB built-in video DRAM, not expandable; 640 × 480 and 800 × 600 at 16-bit colour, 832 × 624 and 1024 × 768 at 8-bit colour. A separate PCI graphics card is needed for additional capabilities.
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 ns8 MB soldered to the logic board and an 8 MB DIMM supplied; two 168-pin 64-bit fast-page-mode DIMM sockets support up to 136 MB total, with 70 ns or faster memory.
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 bay1.6 GB internal IDE hard drive, 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy drive and tray-loading 8× CD-ROM. The shared service manual lists a 1.2 GB drive and AppleCD 600i for generic 6400 configurations; the exact 180 MHz support page and ordering brochure agree on 1.6 GB and 8×.
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 cardTwo PCI 2.0 slots for 6.88-inch cards with Mac drivers; Communications Slot II occupied by the supplied modem, plus positions for optional video input and TV/FM tuner cards. One pre-cabled 5.25-inch internal SCSI bay. Optional Avid Cinema requires the Apple Video System and occupies one PCI slot; it is not supplied with the standard 180 MHz configuration.
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackHeadphone jack
Front ports–3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.
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 connectorDB-15 monitor output, ADB, DB-25 external SCSI, two GeoPort-compatible serial ports, 3.5 mm sound input compatible with PlainTalk microphones and line-level 3.5 mm speaker output. The supplied modem provides 28.8 Kbit/s data and 14.4 Kbit/s fax; replacing it with an Ethernet card provides wired networking. Optional video input handles composite and S-video NTSC, PAL or SECAM.
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 separately–
SpeakersCustom sound chip, internal sound and external sound output; stereo playback from compact discs. Mono sound input and supplied electret omnidirectional microphoneBuilt-in full-range monophonic speaker switches to subwoofer operation when external speakers are connected. 16-bit stereo input/output at 11.025, 22.05 or 44.1 kHz; SRS surround processing applies to rear sound output, not the front headphone jack.
Keyboard and mouseApple Desktop Bus mouse and microphone; separate monitor and keyboardKeyboard, mouse, cables and bundled applications listed for US order M5167LL/A; display, TV/FM tuner, Apple Video System, Avid Cinema and PC Compatibility Card are optional. Gallery image includes an optional monitor.
Design and power
TypeCompactTower
Weight11.3 kg–
Width × depth × height330 × 419 × 152 mm198 × 428 × 406 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 devicesOriginal brochure lists 40.6 × 19.8 × 42.8 cm (height × width × depth), matching the service manual. Weight is 20.18 kg without the monitor and varies with installed devices; the service manual explicitly excludes the CD-ROM drive. The technical booklet transposes depth and height labels.
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 batteryExact specification page and ordering brochure list 220 W maximum, 100–125 or 200–240 V AC at 47–63 Hz. The shared service manual agrees on 220 W maximum continuous but gives wider voltage bands; the original technical booklet instead states 140 W input and 98 W DC output. These conflicting ratings are retained rather than treated as measured consumption.
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 regionsOriginal System Software 7.5.3 with System Enabler 410 v1.1. Apple lists 5 August 1996 as introduction; the original 1996 ordering brochure and contemporary MacUser review establish sale in 1996, but a distinct first-sale month remains unresolved.

More comparisons