Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180 vs Apple Macintosh SE/30

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Macintosh Performa 6400/180 compared with Macintosh SE/30

	AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180	AppleMacintosh SE/30
Overview
Released
Released	1996	1989
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)	68030 16 MHz (Macintosh SE/30)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	16 MB (better)	1 MB or 4 MB
Storage
Storage	1.6 GB (better)	40 MB to 80 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.	Nominal 16 MHz 68030 with 32-bit data path, integrated PMMU and 68882 FPU; 0.5K L1 cache, no L2 or second processor. Original owner manual specifies 15.6672 MHz exact clock; nominal support-sheet rating retained
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.	–
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.	Eight 30-pin SIMM slots in groups of four, 120 ns or faster; support sheet certifies 1–32 MB and 256K, 1 MB or 4 MB modules. Original manual describes 8 MB with then-current modules and future 128 MB expansion; limits depend on installed modules and software. 256K 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×.	Factory choices from original Apple technical procedures are 1 MB RAM with floppy only, 1 MB with 40 MB SCSI disk, or 4 MB with 80 MB SCSI disk; all have an FDHD high-density floppy drive. Original capacity units retained; floppy capacity is removable storage
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 120-pin 32-bit 030 Direct Slot; optional monitor connection requires a compatible video card
Display
Screen
Screen	None built in	9″
Resolution
Resolution	–	512 × 342
Panel
Panel	–	CRT
Refresh rate
Refresh rate	–	60.1 Hz
Display type
Display type	–	Built-in 9-inch one-bit monochrome CRT, 512 × 342 pixels. Maker's explicit note and owner manual correct generic support table's 512 × 384
Display features
Display features	–	Original owner manual specifies exact 60.1 Hz refresh
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 ports, DB-19 external floppy, DB-25 SCSI, two RS-232/RS-422 serial ports and stereo mini-phone audio output; no built-in Ethernet or external video socket
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.	Apple Sound Chip supports four-voice wavetable synthesis and stereo sampling; mixed stereo through a monophonic internal speaker, stereo through external sound port
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.	Choice of Apple Keyboard or Apple Extended Keyboard; ADB mouse, as described in original owner manual
Design and power
Type
Type	Tower	All-in-one
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	198 × 428 × 406 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.	Maker 19.5 lb; 13.6 in height × 9.6 in width × 10.9 in depth, retained in original units
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.	Maximum 75 W, 120–240 V, 48–62 Hz, 0.63 A; 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.	Original system software 6.0.3. Maker introduction 19 January 1989 is not treated as exact first sale; earliest actual-sale month unresolved in bounded search, released year only