Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180 vs Apple Power Macintosh 6200/75

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Macintosh Performa 6400/180 compared with Power Macintosh 6200/75

	AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180	ApplePower Macintosh 6200/75
Overview
Released
Released	1996	1995
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)	PowerPC 603 75 MHz (Macintosh Performa 5200CD)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	16 MB	8 MB or 16 MB
Storage
Storage	1.6 GB (better)	500 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.	75 MHz PowerPC 603 with integrated floating-point unit, 16 KB on-chip cache and 256 KB level-two cache. Apple’s shared developer note explicitly identifies the 5200/75 and 6200/75 processor; their different enclosures remain separate models
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.	1 MB DRAM frame buffer, independent of system RAM. Supports 640 × 480 at 32,768 colours or 800 × 600 and 832 × 624 at 256 colours, including compatible VGA/SVGA displays; no built-in screen
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.	Two 72-pin non-composite DRAM SIMM sockets; 80 ns or faster memory and 64 MB maximum. October 1995 worldwide catalogue starts with one 8 MB SIMM; Japanese original configuration has 16 MB. Shared developer note documents 4 MB ROM on a DIMM with a 64-bit ROM bus
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×.	500 MB internal IDE disk, Apple SuperDrive floppy and quadruple-speed internal CD-ROM. Exact Japanese 16 MB/500 MB configuration names AppleCD 600i; worldwide catalogue confirms 8 MB/500 MB pairing. Configurations vary by region; no larger disk/RAM combinations inferred
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.	LC III-compatible processor-direct expansion slot, communications slot for optional Ethernet or modem, video-input slot and TV-tuner bay. Optional Apple Video System, Apple TV/Video System and Apple Presentation System are separate hardware
Display
Screen
Screen	None built in	None built in
Connections
Ports
Ports	Headphone jack	2 × headphone jack
Front ports
Front ports	3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.	Headphone socket, push-button sound controls and infrared receiver for optional television/video remote control
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.	One ADB port, two RS-232/RS-422 serial ports, monitor connector, DB-25 SCSI for up to five external devices, mono sound input and stereo sound output. Optional internal modem occupies one serial channel. Shared developer note specifies 9-pin mini-DIN serial sockets accepting 8-pin or 9-pin plugs
External displays
External displays	–	External Apple multiscan and compatible VGA/SVGA displays, with suitable cables where needed. Japanese specifications support displays up to 20 inches but limit monitors resting on the case to 15 inches; the worldwide catalogue’s 15-inch wording is not a maximum supported resolution
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 speaker; 8-bit stereo sound output, mono input and 16-bit stereo CD playback. Front and rear headphone outputs cannot be used simultaneously
Microphones
Microphones	–	Optional external Apple PlainTalk microphone; no built-in microphone in this desktop enclosure
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.	Japanese configuration includes ADB Mouse II, power cable, KanjiTalk 7.5 CD-ROM, manuals and service warranty; keyboard and monitor sold separately. Maker catalogue photo shows optional external display, keyboard and mouse
Design and power
Type
Type	Tower	Compact
Weight
Weight	–	8.6 kg
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	198 × 428 × 406 mm	320 × 419.5 × 109.5 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 original Japanese metric specifications: 109.5 mm high, 320 mm wide, 419.5 mm deep, 8.6 kg. October 1995 catalogue rounds height/depth to 109/419 mm and says mass varies with installed devices
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.	Original Japanese specifications: automatically configured 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phase
Power use
Power use	–	Japanese original model: 55 W maximum, excluding monitor consumption. English support archive lists 150 W alongside conflicting modern ports, so that figure is not applied to the original configuration
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.	Japanese model uses KanjiTalk 7.5; developer note documents the original Power Macintosh hardware. Macworld July 1995 reports Europe had begun shipping the exact 6200/75 and names 28 April as the introduction date, distinguishing the differently bundled Performa 6200CD. Exact actual first retail day/month remains unconfirmed; released uses supported 1995 precision. English support112094 includes unsupported FireWire, AirPort and 10/100 Ethernet claims, excluded in favour of original Japanese specifications, catalogue and developer note