Request a product

Apple Macintosh LC 550 vs Apple Macintosh Performa 5400/160

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh LC 550AppleMacintosh Performa 5400/160
Overview
Released19941996
Performance
ProcessorMotorola 68030 33 MHz (Macintosh LC 550)PowerPC 603e (160 MHz, Macintosh Performa 5400/160)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB16 MB
Storage160 MB1.6 GB
CPU33 MHz Motorola 68030 with built-in memory management unit and socket for an optional 68882 floating-point unit160 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point and memory management units, 32 KB L1 cache and 64-bit memory bus. Optional High Performance Module adds 256 KB L2 cache; it is not standard. Current Apple support gives a 40 MHz data path clock.
GPU512 KB video RAM displays 8-bit colour at 640 × 480; an upgrade to 768 KB enables 16-bit colour1 MB DRAM framebuffer independent of system RAM. Shared Service Source explicitly supports 640 × 480 at 60 or 67 Hz and 800 × 600 at 60 or 72 Hz with 16-bit colour; 832 × 624 at 75 Hz uses 8-bit colour and does not support video input. Current support additionally lists 1024 × 768, but the exact technical specification and shared service manual restrict the built-in CRT to 832 × 624; the higher database row is not adopted as the built-in display resolution.
Memory type4 MB on the logic board with one 72-pin SIMM socket, expandable to 36 MB16 MB standard, comprising 8 MB soldered RAM and one 8 MB DIMM. Two 168-pin 64-bit DIMM slots allow expansion to 136 MB with two 64 MB modules. Use 70 ns or faster fast-paged-mode DIMMs with 1K or 2K refresh. Modules can be installed individually. 4 MB ROM.
Storage type160 MB internal SCSI hard drive configuration, 1.44 MB floppy drive and optional internal 2× CD-ROM. Apple's 1994 technical booklet also lists 40 and 80 MB drives; its later support sheet lists 160 MB minimum.Exact 160 MHz maker specification, ordering description and Service Source configuration agree on a 1.6 GB IDE hard drive, Apple SuperDrive 1.44 MB floppy drive and internal 8× AppleCD CD-ROM drive. November 1996 Apple Facts gives a 1.2 GB drive for the broader 160/180 Performa family; that unqualified family figure is not transferred to the exact configuration.
Expansion slotsOne LC processor-direct slotOne PCI slot for a 6.88-inch, 15 W card; communications slot occupied by the supplied modem; optional video-input card and TV/FM tuner bay. Optional Apple External Video Connector enables mirroring; optional Apple Presentation System provides NTSC/PAL output. NuBus cards cannot be used in the PCI slot.
Display
Screen size14″12.8″
Resolution640 × 480832 × 624
PanelCRTCRT
Refresh rate–75 Hz
Display typeBuilt-in 14-inch Trinitron colour CRT with 640 × 480 pixels15-inch nominal RGB CRT with 12.8-inch viewable diagonal and 0.28 mm dot pitch. Noninterlaced flat square tube. Base tilts from −5° to +15° and swivels 360°. Resolution can be changed without restarting.
Connections
PortsHeadphone jack2 × headphone jack
Front ports–Headphone output and volume controls; built-in infrared remote capability. Remote-control inclusion varies with regional configuration.
Back portsTwo Apple Desktop Bus ports, two serial ports, external SCSI, audio input and stereo output; front headphone jackOne ADB port; two GeoPort-compatible RS-232/422 serial ports, including LocalTalk support; DB-25 SCSI; stereo sound input and rear stereo sound output. Optional DB-15 external-video connector, not a standard fitted port. Built-in 28.8 Kbit/s V.34 data/fax/voice modem supports MNP4, V.42, MNP5 and V.42bis; optional Ethernet replaces the communications-slot modem. No USB or FireWire.
External displays–Optional external-video connector provides mirroring of the built-in screen. Connector kit, suitable cable and external display required; external video does not establish an independent second desktop.
SpeakersTwo built-in stereo speakersBuilt-in stereo speakers and 16-bit stereo sound with SRS 3D surround enhancement. Shared service manual identifies separate front and rear stereo output jacks. Headline jack count excludes the sound-input port.
MicrophonesBuilt-in microphoneBuilt-in microphone and stereo sound-input port; the input also supports an external Apple PlainTalk microphone. Shared manual explicitly excludes the earlier Apple Omni microphone from this input.
Keyboard and mouse–Exact maker ordering description includes keyboard, mouse and necessary cables; the CRT, microphone, speakers, modem, CD-ROM, floppy drive and hard drive are built into the computer. Optional TV/FM and video hardware varies by regional bundle.
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight18.4 kg21 kg
Width × depth × height344 × 419.8 × 443.4 mm383 × 406 × 445 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detail–Exact maker specification gives 445 × 383 × 406 mm (height × width × depth) and 21 kg. Its 17.5 × 15.1 × 16 inches and 47 lb are retained as maker-rounded equivalents. Apple Facts notes weight varies with installed internal devices; no shipping-package mass is used.
Power supply–220 W maximum continuous input, nominal 110–240 V AC at 50–60 Hz, single phase. Low-power sleep mode supported. Current maker table gives a 4.5 V alkaline clock battery; maximum input is not normal operating consumption.
In the boxApple's support sheet lists 2 February 1994 as introduction, but a distinct first-sale date was not established. Its support sheet says 40 W maximum whereas its 1994 technical booklet says 120 W; power is therefore omitted.System 7.5.3 with System Enabler 410, Apple Guide, QuickTime, Macintosh PC Exchange and QuickDraw 3D. Exact October 1996 ordering description and November Apple Facts dealer catalogue establish retail offering in 1996; precise first-sale month or day remains unestablished. Apple's recorded introduction is 5 August 1996. Service Source identifies sale in Japan, Australia and Europe; not sold in the US. This 160 MHz configuration is distinct from the existing Power Macintosh 5400/120, 5400/180 and 5400/200. No unsupported official predecessor link assigned.

More comparisons