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Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180 vs Apple Macintosh Quadra 700

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

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AppleMacintosh Performa 6400/180AppleMacintosh Quadra 700
Overview
Released1996October 1991
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)68040 25 MHz (Quadra 700)
CPU cores11
Memory16 MB4 MB
Storage1.6 GB80 MB to 400 MB
CPU180 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.25 MHz Motorola 68040 with integrated paged memory management and floating-point units plus 8 KB on-chip cache; no standard L2 cache
GPU1 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 512 KB dedicated VRAM, expandable to 1 or 2 MB; 8-bit colour at 640 × 480 or 832 × 624 with the standard VRAM, and 24-bit at those resolutions with 2 MB
Memory type8 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 soldered RAM and four 30-pin SIMM sockets; 80 ns or faster SIMMs installed in matching groups of four. Exact original UK brochure supports 20 MB using four 4 MB SIMMs or 68 MB using four 16 MB SIMMs. Current Apple support and the shared Service Source list the older 20 MB limit; their shorter supported-SIMM table does not describe the UK brochure's 16 MB modules. 1 MB ROM.
Storage type1.6 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×.Internal 1.44 MB SuperDrive and optional 80, 160 or 400 MB SCSI hard drives; Apple's October 1991 catalogue pairs each drive with 4 MB RAM and dates the 400 MB variant to January 1992
Expansion slotsTwo 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.Two NuBus '90 slots and one processor-direct slot; the PDS shares physical space with one NuBus slot
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackEthernet, headphone jack
Front ports3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.–
Back portsDB-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 Apple Desktop Bus ports, DB-15 video, DB-25 SCSI, two serial ports, AAUI Ethernet, mono sound input and stereo sound output
External displays–Apple's built-in video supports its monitor range; output colour depth depends on VRAM and display resolution
SpeakersBuilt-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.Internal speaker, mono audio input and stereo 8-bit sound output; Apple supplied a microphone
Keyboard and mouseKeyboard, 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
TypeTowerTower
Weight–6.2 kg
Width × depth × height198 × 428 × 406 mm140 × 366 × 302 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailOriginal 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's 5.5 × 11.9 × 14.4 inch and 13.6 lb dimensions; metric fields reflect the upright orientation and rounded conversions. Apple states the weight for the floppy-only model
Power supplyExact 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 UK brochure and current support give 50 W maximum excluding the external monitor, 100–240 V AC at 50–60 Hz. Shared Service Source gives 130 W maximum excluding the monitor and 90 W continuous; Apple Direct calls the power supply 90 W. These are conflicting or differently qualified ratings; no single universal consumption figure is assigned. A 3.6 V lithium clock battery is listed by current support.
In the boxOriginal 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 7.0.1, microphone and ADB mouse; Apple's October 1991 catalogue says the keyboard was sold separately. Apple dates introduction to 21 October 1991

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