Request a product

Apple Macintosh LC III 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 IIIAppleMacintosh Performa 5400/160
Overview
Released19931996
Performance
Processor68030 25 MHz (Macintosh LC III)PowerPC 603e (160 MHz, Macintosh Performa 5400/160)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB16 MB
Storage80 MB to 160 MB1.6 GB
CPU25 MHz Motorola 68030 with integrated memory-management unit, 32-bit data path and 0.5 KB L1 cache; optional 68882 floating-point coprocessor160 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.
GPUBuilt-in video with 512 KB VRAM supports 8-bit colour at 640 × 480 and 832 × 624; upgrading to 768 KB raises both to 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 and one 72-pin SIMM slot; Apple supports 4–36 MB total with 80 ns memory16 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 typeInternal 1.44 MB floppy drive and 80 or 160 MB internal SCSI hard driveExact 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 III 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
ScreenNone built in12.8″
Resolution–832 × 624
Panel–CRT
Refresh rate–75 Hz
Display type–15-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.
Design and power
TypeCompactAll-in-one
Weight3.99 kg21 kg
Width × depth × height310 × 389 × 74 mm383 × 406 × 445 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailApple's 2.9 × 12.2 × 15.3 inch and 8.8 lb reference dimensions; metric fields are rounded conversionsExact 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 supplyMaximum 50 W; 100–240 V AC, 47–63 Hz; 3.6 V lithium clock battery220 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 boxOriginal System Software 7.1. Apple lists 10 February 1993 as introduction; a separate maker first-sale date was not established.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.
Connections
Ports–2 × headphone jack
Front ports–Headphone output and volume controls; built-in infrared remote capability. Remote-control inclusion varies with regional configuration.
Back portsApple Desktop Bus, DB-15 video, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports, microphone input and speaker output; no built-in EthernetOne 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 displaysBuilt-in video supports up to 832 × 624 pixels; colour depth depends on fitted VRAMOptional 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.
SpeakersInternal speakerBuilt-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.
Microphones–Built-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.

More comparisons