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Apple Macintosh LC III+ vs Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180

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AppleMacintosh LC III+AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180
Overview
Released–1996
Performance
Processor68030 33 MHz (Macintosh LC III+)PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB16 MB
Storage–1.6 GB
CPUMotorola 68030 at 33 MHz with integrated memory management and 32-bit data path; optional socketed 68882, 0.5 KB first-level cache and no second-level cache. Apple Service Guide identifies the Performa 460, 466 and 467 as the 33 MHz LC III family; these aliases are not separate product records180 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.
GPU512 KB built-in VRAM, expandable to 768 KB with a 256 KB SIMM. A 512 KB VRAM SIMM may be fitted but only 256 KB is used. At 640 × 480 and 832 × 624, standard memory supports 8-bit colour; upgraded VRAM supports 16-bit colour1 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 type4 MB soldered RAM plus one 72-pin SIMM socket, maximum 36 MB. Apple specifies 80 ns minimum memory speed and SIMM capacities 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 MB. 1 MB ROM8 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 typeApple LC III+ support lists 80–160 MB internal SCSI hard disks and an automatic-inject 1.44 MB floppy drive. Exact original RAM/drive configuration pairing is unresolved, so structured storage capacity is omitted. Apple July 1994 Service Guide gives conflicting 80 MB and 180 MB values for Performa 460 in different tables; those are not silently assigned to this model. Performa 460-series bundles use a manual-insert SuperDrive1.6 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 slotsOne LC III processor-direct expansion slot. Ethernet requires an expansion card; no built-in EthernetTwo 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
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackHeadphone jack
Front ports–3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.
Back portsOne ADB, DB-15 video, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports, omnidirectional microphone input and speaker output. No external floppy connectorDB-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–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.
External displaysSeparate monitor required. Apple specifies 512 × 384 and 640 × 400 at 16-bit colour, plus 640 × 480 and 832 × 624 with colour depth depending on VRAM capacity–
Keyboard and mousePerforma 460-series bundles include an ADB keyboard and mouse and may include a monitor and modem; the museum photo shows the Performa 460-labelled computer alone. Exact LC III+ supplied-accessory bundle is unpublished in the recovered support recordKeyboard, 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
TypeCompactTower
Width × depth × height–198 × 428 × 406 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailApple LC III+ record publishes 8.8 lb and 2.9 inches high × 12.2 inches wide × 15.3 inches deep. Unpublished metric measurements are omittedOriginal 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 supplyApple LC III+ support lists 100–240 V, 47–63 Hz, 50 W maximum, 0.42 A and 171 BTU/hour. These are maker ratings, not measured consumption. 3.6 V lithium clock batteryExact 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 boxOriginal System 7.1 with System Enabler 003 v1.1. Apple introduction date 18 October 1993 is not established as an actual first retail sale, so released is omittedOriginal 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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