Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180 vs Apple Macintosh Quadra 610

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Macintosh Performa 6400/180 compared with Macintosh Quadra 610

	AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180	AppleMacintosh Quadra 610
Overview
Released
Released	1996	1993
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)	Motorola 68040 25 MHz (Macintosh Centris 650)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	16 MB (better)	8 MB
Storage
Storage	1.6 GB (better)	160 MB to 230 MB
CPU
CPU	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.	25 MHz Motorola MC68040 with integrated FPU and memory management unit, 32-bit data bus and 8 KB cache on the datasheet/catalogue configurations listed here. Apple developer note confirms an entry-level MC68LC040 version without FPU, plus socketed processors; its exact RAM/storage pairing has not been established in maker ordering tables and is not invented here. DOS Compatible hardware and later PowerPC upgrades are separate options
GPU
GPU	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.	512 KB VRAM standard, upgradable to 1 MB. At 640 × 480, 512 KB gives 256 colours and 1 MB gives 32,000 colours; at 1152 × 870, 16 shades with 512 KB and 256 with 1 MB. The 8/230CD configuration includes 1 MB VRAM
Memory type
Memory type	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.	4 MB DRAM on the logic board plus two 72-pin SIMM slots; 8 MB supplied in the maker catalogue configurations. Up to 68 MB total; 80 ns or faster SIMMs can be installed individually. 1 MB ROM
Storage type
Storage type	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×.	1.44 MB Apple SuperDrive with enlarged manual-insertion slot, replacing the Centris automatic-injection design. Maker ordering offers 8/160 with hard disk and no CD-ROM, or 8/230CD with 230 MB SCSI hard disk and AppleCD 300i double-speed drive
Expansion slots
Expansion slots	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.	One internal slot accepts either a processor-direct card or a seven-inch NuBus card with the required adapter. Internal bay for optional 5.25-inch half-height storage device; not a full-length NuBus chassis
Display
Screen
Screen	None built in	None built in
Connections
Ports
Ports	Headphone jack	Headphone jack
Front ports
Front ports	3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.	–
Back ports
Back ports	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.	Two ADB, two RS-232/RS-422 serial mini-DIN-8, DB-25 SCSI, DB-15 video, mono sound input and stereo-capable sound output. AAUI-15 Ethernet included on the datasheet/catalogue versions; optional across the wider family and absent from the entry-level version. No USB or external floppy connector
External displays
External displays	–	Maker lists built-in support for Apple displays and compatible RGB/VGA/SVGA displays. Separate monitor and keyboard; catalogue setup image shows Macintosh Color Display and Apple Extended Keyboard II as separately ordered options
Speakers
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.	Built-in mono speaker; stereo eight-bit sound chip supports external stereo headphones/equipment. Eight-bit monophonic sound input sampled at 11 or 22 kHz
Keyboard and mouse
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.	Mouse, software and documentation in maker ordering list; monitor and keyboard ordered separately
Design and power
Type
Type	Tower	Compact
Weight
Weight	–	6.4 kg
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	198 × 428 × 406 mm	415 × 397 × 85 mm
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Size and weight detail
Size and weight detail	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.	Exact datasheet metric dimensions retained: H8.5/W41.5/D39.7 cm; 6.4 kg varies with internal devices. Shared Service Source incorrectly prints depth4.2in/107mm; exact datasheet and archived support agree15.6in depth
Power supply
Power supply	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.	100–240 V AC with automatic configuration; exact datasheet gives 50–60 Hz and 210 W maximum excluding monitor. Shared Service Source lists 112 W excluding monitor; preserve the source disagreement rather than treat either as measured running consumption. 3.6 V lithium clock battery
In the box
In the box	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.	System 7.1 with System Enabler 040 v1.1 per archived maker specifications. Apple introduction is21October1993, not adopted as first-sale day. Fall1993 maker catalogue offers ordering and a promotion through31December1993, supporting sold during1993; exact first-delivery month remains unconfirmed