Apple Macintosh LC 520 vs Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180

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Macintosh LC 520 compared with Macintosh Performa 6400/180

	AppleMacintosh LC 520	AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180
Overview
Released
Released	1993	1996
Performance
Processor
Processor	68030 25 MHz (Macintosh LC 520)	PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	4 MB	16 MB (better)
Storage
Storage	80 MB to 160 MB	1.6 GB (better)
CPU
CPU	25 MHz Motorola 68030 with 32-bit data path, 0.5 KB L1 cache and optional 68882 floating-point coprocessor	180 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.
GPU
GPU	Built-in video with 512 KB VRAM supports 640 × 480 at 8-bit colour; an optional 768 KB allocation supports 16-bit colour	1 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 type
Memory type	4 MB on the logic board, expandable to 36 MB with one 72-pin SIMM	8 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 type
Storage type	Internal SCSI hard drive, 1.44 MB floppy drive and optional 2× CD-ROM. Apple's support sheet lists 80–160 MB hard drives; its original developer note also lists a 40 MB option.	1.6 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 slots
Expansion slots	One LC processor-direct slot	Two 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
Screen size
Screen size	14″	None built in
Resolution
Resolution	640 × 480	–
Panel
Panel	CRT	–
Display type
Display type	Built-in 14-inch Trinitron colour CRT	–
Connections
Ports
Ports	Headphone jack	Headphone jack
Front ports
Front ports	–	3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.
Back ports
Back ports	Two Apple Desktop Bus ports, external DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial connections, microphone input and headphone output	DB-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.
Speakers
Speakers	Built-in stereo speakers	Built-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 mouse
Keyboard and mouse	–	Keyboard, 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.
Microphones
Microphones	Built-in microphone	–
Design and power
Type
Type	All-in-one	Tower
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	–	198 × 428 × 406 mm
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Size and weight detail
Size and weight detail	Apple lists 17.9 × 13.5 × 16.5 inches and 40.5 lb	Original 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 supply
Power supply	Maximum 40 W according to Apple's technical sheet	Exact 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 box
In the box	Apple lists 28 June 1993 as the introduction date; a separate first-sale date was not established.	Original 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.