Apple Macintosh LC 550 vs Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180

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Macintosh LC 550 compared with Macintosh Performa 6400/180

	AppleMacintosh LC 550	AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180
Overview
Released
Released	1994	1996
Performance
Processor
Processor	Motorola 68030 33 MHz (Macintosh LC 550)	PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	4 MB	16 MB (better)
Storage
Storage	160 MB	1.6 GB (better)
CPU
CPU	33 MHz Motorola 68030 with built-in memory management unit and socket for an optional 68882 floating-point unit	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	512 KB video RAM displays 8-bit colour at 640 × 480; an upgrade to 768 KB enables 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 with one 72-pin SIMM socket, expandable to 36 MB	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	160 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.	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 with 640 × 480 pixels	–
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, two serial ports, external SCSI, audio input and stereo output; front headphone jack	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	Two 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
Weight
Weight	18.4 kg	–
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	344 × 419.8 × 443.4 mm	198 × 428 × 406 mm
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Size and weight detail
Size and weight detail	–	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	–	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'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.	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.