Apple Macintosh LC 630 vs Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleMacintosh LC 630 | AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | 1994 | 1996 |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | Motorola 68LC040 33 MHz (Macintosh LC 575) | PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Memory | 4 MB or 8 MB | 16 MB (better) |
| Storage | 250 MB | 1.6 GB (better) |
| CPU | Motorola MC68LC040 without an integrated floating-point unit; paged memory management and 8 KB cache. Nominal 33 MHz bus clock and 66 MHz internal clock, as Apple explains in its exact Japanese specifications and developer note. Optional PowerPC processor upgrade is separate from this original model | 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 | Built-in video with 1 MB dedicated DRAM, 16-bit colour at 640 × 480 or 512 × 384 and 8-bit at 800 × 600 or 832 × 624; video capture not supported at 832 × 624 | 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 | Original model has 4 MB soldered RAM and one 72-pin SIMM slot, expandable to 36 MB; 4 MB and 8 MB configurations in the October 1994 catalogue. Japanese configurations have 8 MB. 80 ns or faster SIMMs and 1 MB ROM. Later shared service-manual boards and DOS Compatible variants have different memory arrangements | 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 | 250 MB internal IDE hard disk in the original configurations, plus 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy. Japanese maker lists 8 MB/250 MB versions with or without the double-speed AppleCD 300i Plus internal SCSI CD-ROM. April 1995 catalogue adds 350 MB disks without establishing exact RAM/CD pairings, so those configurations are not inferred. LC 630 DOS Compatible is a different dual-processor model | 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 | LC-compatible processor-direct slot, communications slot for either Ethernet or modem, video-input slot and optional TV tuner. Apple Video and TV/Video kits add capture and television features; they are not built into the base configuration. Optional PowerPC processor upgrade | 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 | None built in | None built in |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 2 × headphone jack | Headphone jack |
| Front ports | – | 3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support. |
| Back ports | DB-15 video, DB-25 external SCSI, one ADB, two serial ports with LocalTalk, sound input and rear sound output. Front headphone jack and infrared receiver; no USB. Ethernet uses an optional communications card | 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. |
| External displays | Requires a separate monitor; Apple lists Color Plus 14-inch, Macintosh Color Display, AudioVision 14 and Multiple Scan 15 plus compatible VGA/SVGA displays. The maker catalogue photo includes an external monitor, keyboard and mouse | – |
| Speakers | Single internal speaker; 8-bit stereo sound output and monophonic recording, with 16-bit stereo CD playback. Front and rear headphone outputs cannot be used simultaneously. The Japanese specifications and shared service manual distinguish CD playback from ordinary sound output | 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, 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 | ||
| Type | Compact | Tower |
| Weight | 7.7 kg | – |
| Width × depth × height | 320 × 419.5 × 109.5 mm | 198 × 428 × 406 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Size and weight detail | Original Japanese Apple specifications give 109.5 mm high, 320 mm wide and 419.5 mm deep; these exact metric values retained. October 1994 catalogue rounds these to 109/320/419 mm. Shared Service Source reverses width and depth, an unresolved documentation error. Shared maker service table gives 7.7 kg without CD-ROM and 8.6 kg with CD-ROM; weight varies with installed devices | 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 | 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; 45 W maximum excluding monitor, according to Service Source. 4.5 V alkaline clock battery | 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 | System 7.1.2 with the dedicated System Enabler; Japanese versions use KanjiTalk 7.1.2 and include an ADB Mouse II, with keyboard sold separately. Education and regional monitor/software bundles vary. Announced July 1994, with 2 August shipping planned in contemporary TidBITS; October 1994 maker buying catalogue lists the LC 630, so release uses supported year precision. Exact first retail delivery remains unconfirmed | 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. |
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