Apple Macintosh Performa 5200CD vs Apple Macintosh XL

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

Macintosh Performa 5200CD compared with Macintosh XL

	AppleMacintosh Performa 5200CD	AppleMacintosh XL
Overview
Released
Released	1995	1985
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC 603 75 MHz (Macintosh Performa 5200CD)	68000 5 MHz (Macintosh XL)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	8 MB (better)	512 KB or 1 MB
Storage
Storage	512 MB to 1 GB (better)	10 MB
CPU
CPU	75 MHz PowerPC 603 with integrated floating-point unit, 16 KB L1 cache, 256 KB L2 cache and 64-bit data path at 37.5 MHz	5 MHz Motorola 68000 with a 16-bit, 5 MHz data path; no PMMU, FPU, cache or second processor
GPU
GPU	Integrated 1 MB DRAM video; 640 × 480 at 16-bit colour or 832 × 624 at 8-bit colour	–
Memory type
Memory type	Two 72-pin SIMM slots; 8 MB standard and 64 MB maximum with 80 ns memory	Factory 512 KB, expandable to 1 MB in Apple's January 1985 announcement; two Lisa memory-card slots using 512K boards. Current support lists a 0.5–2 MB range; configurations retain the original Apple memory options rather than later third-party upgrades. 16K ROM
Storage type
Storage type	Apple lists 500 MB and 1 GB internal IDE hard-drive options, a 1.44 MB floppy drive and 2× or 4× CD-ROM drive options	Built-in 10 MB hard disk and manually loaded 400K floppy drive; no internal CD drive. MacWorks versions differ in hard-disk access and startup support; the original revision cannot access a hard disk, while later revisions add hard-disk installation and direct startup
Expansion slots
Expansion slots	Macintosh LC processor-direct slot, communications slot, TV-tuner bay and video input/output slot	Three Lisa expansion slots
Display
Screen size
Screen size	15″	12″
Resolution
Resolution	832 × 624 (better)	720 × 364
Panel
Panel	CRT	CRT
Display type
Display type	Built-in 15-inch multiscan colour CRT with tilt and swivel; it has selectable pixel modes rather than a fixed native LCD resolution	12-inch monochrome CRT; Apple's model-specific note gives 720 × 364 pixels and overrides the generic resolution matrix. Original pixels are rectangular
Display features
Display features	Maximum listed pixel mode 832 × 624 at 8-bit colour; the developer note also lists 640 × 480 at 16-bit colour	Optional Macintosh XL Screen Kit modifies the screen to show Macintosh text and graphics with the correct proportions. Apple's current support note states 608 × 431 pixels with the kit. The kit requires updated MacWorks XL and a Macintosh-only hard disk, excluding a disk shared with Lisa 7/7 or Workshop
Connections
Ports
Ports	Headphone jack	–
Back ports
Back ports	Apple Desktop Bus, external DB-25 SCSI, two serial connectors, microphone input and stereo sound output; optional DB-15 video-mirroring port	RCA video, printer and modem ports; no SCSI or Ethernet. Legacy ports are retained here because the comparison table does not represent their connector types
Speakers
Speakers	Built-in stereo speakers and microphone	–
Design and power
Type
Type	All-in-one	All-in-one
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Size and weight detail
Size and weight detail	Apple lists 17.5 × 15.1 × 16 inches and 47 lb for the 5200 form factor	Apple publishes 48 lb and 15.2 in height × 18.7 in width × 13.8 in depth; original units retained
Power supply
Power supply	Maximum 125 W; 110–240 V AC at 50–60 Hz; 4.5 V alkaline clock battery	US specification maximum 150 W, 120 V AC, 50–60 Hz and 1.25 A; no backup battery listed
In the box
In the box	Original System Software 7.5.1. Apple lists 1 May 1995 as introduction; a separate first-sale date was not established.	MacWorks provides the Macintosh software environment on Lisa hardware. Apple announced the Lisa 2/10 rename on 23 January 1985; the original 1985 Macintosh Office brochure offers the XL through authorised dealers. First-sale year retained because no exact first-sale day or month is established; Apple's support introduction date is not adopted as retail sale