Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180 vs Apple Macintosh Quadra 605

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Macintosh Performa 6400/180 compared with Macintosh Quadra 605
AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180AppleMacintosh Quadra 605
Overview
Released19961993
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)68LC040 25 MHz (Macintosh Quadra 605)
CPU cores11
Memory16 MB (better)4 MB
Storage1.6 GB (better)80 MB to 160 MB
CPU180 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.25 MHz Motorola 68LC040 with integrated memory management, 8 KB L1 cache and no floating-point unit
GPU1 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.Built-in video with 512 KB VRAM supports 8-bit colour at 640 × 480 and 832 × 624; 1 MB VRAM raises both to 16-bit colour
Memory type8 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.4 MB on the logic board and one 72-pin SIMM slot; Apple supports 4–36 MB total
Storage type1.6 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×.Internal 1.44 MB floppy drive and 80 or 160 MB internal SCSI hard drive
Expansion slotsTwo 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.One LC III-compatible expansion slot; the 68LC040 cannot use a separate FPU card
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jack–
Front ports3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.–
Back portsDB-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.Apple Desktop Bus, DB-15 video, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports, sound input and output; no built-in Ethernet
External displays–Built-in video supports up to 1152 × 870 pixels; colour depth depends on VRAM
SpeakersBuilt-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.Internal speaker
Keyboard and mouseKeyboard, 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
TypeTowerCompact
Weight–3.99 kg
Width × depth × height198 × 428 × 406 mm310 × 389 × 74 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailOriginal 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.Apple's 2.9 × 12.2 × 15.3 inch and 8.8 lb reference dimensions; metric fields are rounded conversions
Power supplyExact 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.Maximum 30 W; 100–240 V AC, 47–63 Hz; 3.6 V lithium clock battery
In the boxOriginal 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.Original System Software 7.1 with System Enabler 065. Apple lists 21 October 1993 as introduction; a separate first-sale month was not established.

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