Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180 vs Apple Power Macintosh 8200/120

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Macintosh Performa 6400/180 compared with Power Macintosh 8200/120

	AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180	ApplePower Macintosh 8200/120
Overview
Released
Released	1996	1996
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)	PowerPC 601 120 MHz (Power Macintosh 7200/120)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	16 MB	16 MB
Storage
Storage	1.6 GB (better)	1.2 GB
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.	120 MHz PowerPC 601 soldered to the logic board, integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB level-one cache, 40 MHz 64-bit processor bus and standard 256 KB level-two cache. Apple's brochure describes a logic-board upgrade plus separately purchased processor card for an 8500 conversion, not a standard removable 8200 processor card
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.	Built-in accelerated video with 1 MB soldered VRAM, expandable to 4 MB using three VRAM sockets. Exact support table gives 16-bit colour through 832 × 624 and 8-bit at 1024 × 768 and 1152 × 870 with standard VRAM; 1280 × 1024 requires at least 2 MB. 4 MB allows 24-bit at 1024 × 768 and 16-bit at 1152 × 870 and 1280 × 1024
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.	UK brochure specifies 16 MB for 8200/120, matching its exact support page. Shared Service Source describes 8 or 16 MB across both models without pairing them; the 8 MB 8200/100 configuration is not transferred. Four 168-pin 64-bit 5 V 70 ns-or-faster DIMM sockets, 256 MB supported maximum; no memory interleaving. Apple says 128 MB DIMMs can be used but were not tested. 4 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×.	1.2 GB internal SCSI hard disk, manual-inject 1.44 MB Apple SuperDrive floppy and AppleCD 600i 4× CD-ROM in the original UK ordering configuration. Exact support also lists 8× CD-ROM without identifying its full configuration; no additional RAM/storage pairing is invented. UK brochure gives internal/external SCSI up to 5 MB/s and an additional 3.5-inch disk or other SCSI-device bay
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 PCI 2.0 slots; no standard analogue AV module. Optional PC Compatibility Cards are separately purchased PCI hardware, not a second processor in the base configuration
Display
Screen
Screen	None built in	None built in
Connections
Ports
Ports	Headphone jack	Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet
Ethernet	–	0.01 Gb/s
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.	DB-15 display output, one ADB connector, external DB-25 SCSI, two GeoPort/LocalTalk-compatible serial connectors, AAUI and 10BASE-T Ethernet, mini-jacks for 16-bit stereo sound input and output up to 44.1 kHz. The two Ethernet connectors share one interface; 10BASE-T takes priority if both are connected
External displays
External displays	–	One external display through built-in video; up to 1280 × 1024 requires additional VRAM and a compatible monitor. Brochure colour-depth headline describes expanded VRAM, not standard 1 MB
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; stereo sound output for external speakers
Microphones
Microphones	–	Supports an external Apple PlainTalk microphone
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.	Apple ADB Mouse II, system software 7.5.3 or later, Internet-access software, setup and reference documentation and limited warranty listed in the UK brochure; keyboard and monitor purchased separately
Design and power
Type
Type	Tower	Tower
Weight
Weight	–	11.3 kg
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	198 × 428 × 406 mm	196 × 400 × 356 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.	UK brochure and Service Source give 356 mm high, 196 mm wide and 400 mm deep, 11.3 kg; weight 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.	100–240 V AC, automatically configured, single phase, 50–60 Hz. UK brochure specifies 225 W maximum excluding display; shared Service Source distinguishes 225 W DC output from 340 W continuous/520 W peak AC input, while exact support gives 150 W without that distinction. This conflict remains explicit and no consumption headline is selected
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.	Apple lists 22 April 1996 as introduction. Original April 1996 UK brochure includes exact ordering information and specifications, supporting sale year 1996; the actual first-sale month/day remains unconfirmed. Service Source labels this family Europe-only and exact support states it was not sold in the US