Apple Macintosh LC 520 vs Apple Macintosh TV

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Macintosh LC 520 compared with Macintosh TV

	AppleMacintosh LC 520	AppleMacintosh TV
Overview
Released
Released	1993	October 1993
Performance
Processor
Processor	68030 25 MHz (Macintosh LC 520)	68030 32 MHz (Macintosh IIvx)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	4 MB	5 MB (better)
Storage
Storage	80 MB to 160 MB	160 MB
CPU
CPU	25 MHz Motorola 68030 with 32-bit data path, 0.5 KB L1 cache and optional 68882 floating-point coprocessor	Motorola MC68030 at nominal 32 MHz, with integrated paged memory management and a 16 MHz system bus; 0.5 KB L1 cache, no L2 cache and no floating-point coprocessor. Service Source claims an optional math socket, conflicting with the exact Apple support table and both contemporary reviews; that capability is not adopted
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	512 KB fixed VRAM supports 256 colours in computer mode at 640 × 480. Television mode uses 640 × 240 with 16-bit colour; TV video is full-screen and cannot be displayed in a desktop window. Apple shared display record specifies 14-inch Trinitron tube, 13-inch viewable area, 0.26 mm aperture-grille pitch and 66.62 Hz Macintosh mode
Memory type
Memory type	4 MB on the logic board, expandable to 36 MB with one 72-pin SIMM	5 MB supplied: 4 MB on the logic board plus a 1 MB 72-pin SIMM; expandable to 8 MB by replacing it with 4 MB. Exact Apple Tech Info Library specifies 80 ns fast-page SIMMs; service manual says 100 ns, so the stricter maker requirement retained. 1 MB ROM
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.	160 MB internal SCSI hard disk, 1.44 MB Apple SuperDrive floppy and AppleCD 300i double-speed CD-ROM for data, audio CDs and Kodak Photo CDs
Expansion slots
Expansion slots	One LC processor-direct slot	No available general-purpose expansion slots; the internal TV hardware occupies the nonstandard slot. External SCSI supports up to six peripherals
Display
Screen size
Screen size	14″	14″
Resolution
Resolution	640 × 480	640 × 480
Panel
Panel	CRT	CRT
Refresh rate
Refresh rate	–	66.62 Hz
Display type
Display type	Built-in 14-inch Trinitron colour CRT	–
Connections
Ports
Ports	Headphone jack	2 × headphone jack
Back ports
Back ports	Two Apple Desktop Bus ports, external DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial connections, microphone input and headphone output	DB-25 SCSI, two RS-232/RS-422 mini-DIN-8 serial ports, two ADB ports and stereo sound output. Coaxial antenna/cable input plus RCA composite-video and sound inputs for external AV equipment; front stereo headphone socket. No built-in Ethernet, USB, external floppy connector or computer video-output port
External displays
External displays	–	Uses the built-in CRT; no computer video-output port. US-only NTSC 181-channel cable-ready tuner, with no PAL or SECAM version. TV software supports still-frame capture, closed captions, channel scanning and password protection; does not record QuickTime movies
Speakers
Speakers	Built-in stereo speakers	Built-in stereo speakers; 8-bit digital-to-analogue output with 22 kHz sampling, plus stereo compact-disc playback. TV/video audio can continue while the Macintosh desktop is visible. RCA AV audio inputs are distinct from a computer microphone input, which Apple removed from the corrected specification in November 1993
Keyboard and mouse
Keyboard and mouse	–	Matching black ADB keyboard and mouse, infrared remote control, preinstalled productivity software and bundled CD-ROM titles; software bundle varies by channel
Microphones
Microphones	Built-in microphone	–
Design and power
Type
Type	All-in-one	All-in-one
Weight
Weight	–	18.9 kg
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	Exact Apple Tech Info Library gives 445 mm high, 344 mm wide, 420 mm deep and 18.9 kg for the main unit. Service Source agrees on weight, width and depth but gives 455 mm height; current archive instead lists 40.5 lb and the LC 520 form factor. Headline dimensions omitted because height conflict remains unresolved. Keyboard and mouse weights excluded
Power supply
Power supply	Maximum 40 W according to Apple's technical sheet	Corrected Apple Tech Info Library gives 90–264 V AC, 47–63 Hz; 40 W maximum excluding display or 60 W including display. Service manual gives 100–240 V and 120 W maximum, an unresolved rating conflict; these are published maximum ratings, not measured use. 3.6 V lithium clock battery
In the box
In the box	Apple lists 28 June 1993 as the introduction date; a separate first-sale date was not established.	System 7.1 with System Enabler 404. Apple release dated 25 October 1993 states immediate US availability through selected retailers, higher-education campuses and the Apple Catalog; the Fall 1993 order catalogue and January 1994 MacUser article confirm it was sold. Maker press-release text preserved in November 1993 Mini’app’les newsletter