Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180 vs Apple Macintosh XL

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Macintosh Performa 6400/180 compared with Macintosh XL

	AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180	AppleMacintosh XL
Overview
Released
Released	1996	1985
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)	68000 5 MHz (Macintosh XL)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	16 MB (better)	512 KB or 1 MB
Storage
Storage	1.6 GB (better)	10 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.	5 MHz Motorola 68000 with a 16-bit, 5 MHz data path; no PMMU, FPU, cache or second processor
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.	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	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×.	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	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.	Three Lisa expansion slots
Display
Screen
Screen	None built in	12″
Resolution
Resolution	–	720 × 364
Panel
Panel	–	CRT
Display type
Display type	–	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	–	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	–
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.	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 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.	–
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.	–
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.	Apple publishes 48 lb and 15.2 in height × 18.7 in width × 13.8 in depth; original units retained
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.	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 7.5.3 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.	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