Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180 vs Apple Macintosh Quadra 630
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180 | AppleMacintosh Quadra 630 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | 1996 | 1994 |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400) | 68040 33 MHz (Macintosh Quadra 650) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Memory | 16 MB (better) | 4 MB or 8 MB |
| Storage | 1.6 GB (better) | 250 MB |
| 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. | Motorola MC68040 with integrated floating-point unit, paged memory management and 8 KB cache. Apple gives nominal 33 MHz in its support table and October 1994 catalogue; its developer note explains the 33 MHz bus and 66 MHz internal clock. The LC 630 and Performa 630 use the FPU-less MC68LC040 instead |
| 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. | Built-in video with 1 MB dedicated DRAM, 16-bit colour at 640 × 480 or 512 × 384 and 8-bit at 800 × 600 or 832 × 624; video capture not supported at 832 × 624 |
| 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 on the logic board and one 72-pin SIMM slot; Apple catalogue offers 4 MB or 8 MB configurations and supports up to 36 MB using a 32 MB SIMM. Minimum SIMM speed is 80 ns; 1 MB ROM |
| 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×. | 250 MB internal IDE hard disk and 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy. A double-speed internal SCSI CD-ROM drive is optional, not standard on the base Quadra. Other hard-disk capacities in the shared family developer note are not copied into these exact Quadra configurations |
| 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. | LC-compatible processor-direct slot, communications slot for either Ethernet or modem, video-input slot and optional TV tuner. Apple Video and TV/Video kits add capture and television features; they are not built into the base configuration. Optional PowerPC processor upgrade |
| Display | ||
| Screen | None built in | None built in |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | Headphone jack | 2 × headphone jack |
| Front ports | 3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support. | – |
| 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. | DB-15 video, DB-25 external SCSI, one ADB, two serial ports with LocalTalk, sound input and rear sound output. Front headphone jack and infrared receiver; no USB. Ethernet uses an optional communications card |
| External displays | – | Requires a separate monitor; Apple lists Color Plus 14-inch, Macintosh Color Display, AudioVision 14 and Multiple Scan 15 plus compatible VGA/SVGA displays. The maker catalogue photo includes an external monitor, keyboard and mouse |
| 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. | Single internal speaker, stereo output and front/rear audio jacks. Apple developer note specifies 8-bit sampling; a contemporary MacUser review calls output 16-bit, so maker specification retained |
| 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. | – |
| Design and power | ||
| Type | Tower | Compact |
| Weight | – | 7.7 kg |
| Width × depth × height | 198 × 428 × 406 mm | 320 × 419 × 109 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| 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. | October 1994 AppleFacts gives 10.9 cm high, 32.0 cm wide and 41.9 cm deep; metric values retained. Shared Service Source reverses width and depth (41.95 cm width, 32 cm depth), an unresolved documentation conflict. Base weight without CD-ROM is 7.7 kg; with CD-ROM is 8.6 kg, varying with options. AppleFacts' 8.6 kg reference does not identify its drive configuration |
| 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, 50–60 Hz; 45 W maximum excluding monitor, according to Service Source. 4.5 V alkaline clock battery |
| 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 7.1.2P with System Enabler 405. Apple introduces the model on 18 July 1994; contemporary TidBITS states planned 2 August shipping for the Quadra, distinct from the education-market Performa. October 1994 maker buying catalogue confirms the Quadra was offered during 1994; exact first-delivery date remains unconfirmed, so release uses year precision |
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