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Apple Macintosh Quadra 610 vs Apple Macintosh Quadra 610 DOS Compatible

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AppleMacintosh Quadra 610AppleMacintosh Quadra 610 DOS Compatible
Overview
Released1993March 1994
Performance
ProcessorMotorola 68040 25 MHz (Macintosh Centris 650)Motorola 68LC040 25 MHz (Macintosh Quadra 610 DOS Compatible)
CPU cores11
Memory8 MB8 MB
Storage160 MB to 230 MB160 MB
CPU25 MHz Motorola MC68040 with integrated FPU and memory management unit, 32-bit data bus and 8 KB cache on the datasheet/catalogue configurations listed here. Apple developer note confirms an entry-level MC68LC040 version without FPU, plus socketed processors; its exact RAM/storage pairing has not been established in maker ordering tables and is not invented here. DOS Compatible hardware and later PowerPC upgrades are separate optionsOriginal Apple TIL 14670, 13884 and shared Service Source identify a 25 MHz Motorola 68LC040 for Macintosh applications and a separate 25 MHz Intel 486SX on the DOS card, both with 32-bit data paths. The 68LC040 has a built-in memory management unit and no FPU; neither processor is the full-FPU 68040 or 486DX. Current support uses generic 68040/optional-FPU wording; this factory configuration follows the exact original documentation. Main processor comparisons describe the Macintosh CPU, not two identical processors.
GPU512 KB VRAM standard, upgradable to 1 MB. At 640 × 480, 512 KB gives 256 colours and 1 MB gives 32,000 colours; at 1152 × 870, 16 shades with 512 KB and 256 with 1 MB. The 8/230CD configuration includes 1 MB VRAMMacintosh video has 512 KB VRAM expandable to 1 MB; the DOS card has separate 512 KB video memory. At Macintosh 640 × 480, base VRAM gives 8-bit colour and expanded VRAM 16-bit; at 1152 × 870 these are 4-bit and 8-bit respectively. PC video supports compatible VGA/SVGA and Apple displays with its cable.
Memory type4 MB DRAM on the logic board plus two 72-pin SIMM slots; 8 MB supplied in the maker catalogue configurations. Up to 68 MB total; 80 ns or faster SIMMs can be installed individually. 1 MB ROMFactory 8 MB Macintosh RAM, with 4 MB on the logic board and two 72-pin SIMM sockets; maximum supported Macintosh RAM 68 MB. DOS card can use shared Macintosh memory up to 64 MB or one 80 ns 72-pin SIMM up to 32 MB of PC-local memory. Current support and corrected TIL 14670 agree on 32 MB local maximum; the shared service manual says 64 MB and earlier descriptive TIL 13884 says 100 MB total, so those conflicting claims are not used as headline Macintosh capacity.
Storage type1.44 MB Apple SuperDrive with enlarged manual-insertion slot, replacing the Centris automatic-injection design. Maker ordering offers 8/160 with hard disk and no CD-ROM, or 8/230CD with 230 MB SCSI hard disk and AppleCD 300i double-speed driveThe May 1994 Apple Directions factory offering is 8 MB RAM and 160 MB internal hard disk; the generic current support range 160–230 MB does not establish another exact factory memory/storage pair. Built-in 1.44 MB Apple SuperDrive floppy and optional double-speed internal CD-ROM support Macintosh and DOS discs. The optional CD is shown in the shared-family maker photograph.
Expansion slotsOne internal slot accepts either a processor-direct card or a seven-inch NuBus card with the required adapter. Internal bay for optional 5.25-inch half-height storage device; not a full-length NuBus chassisProcessor-direct slot occupied by DOS Compatibility Card, leaving no free PDS or NuBus position while retaining it. The card is also sold as an internal upgrade for existing Macintosh Quadra 610 and Centris 610 computers; it is distinct from the faster Power Macintosh 6100 DOS card.
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackEthernet, headphone jack
External displays–Up to 2
Back portsTwo ADB, two RS-232/RS-422 serial mini-DIN-8, DB-25 SCSI, DB-15 video, mono sound input and stereo-capable sound output. AAUI-15 Ethernet included on the datasheet/catalogue versions; optional across the wider family and absent from the entry-level version. No USB or external floppy connectorTwo ADB ports, DB-15 Macintosh video, DB-25 external SCSI supporting up to six peripherals, two RS-232/RS-422 serial mini-DIN-8 connections, AAUI Ethernet, monaural microphone input and stereo-capable sound output. PC game port also available through DOS hardware.
External displaysMaker lists built-in support for Apple displays and compatible RGB/VGA/SVGA displays. Separate monitor and keyboard; catalogue setup image shows Macintosh Color Display and Apple Extended Keyboard II as separately ordered optionsOne shared display switched between environments, or separate Macintosh and PC displays showing both simultaneously. The second display serves the PC environment; do not imply a two-screen Macintosh desktop. Compatible Apple 13-, 14- and 16-inch monitors and VGA/SVGA displays in DOS; Macintosh supports its own wider display list. Adapters may be required.
SpeakersBuilt-in mono speaker; stereo eight-bit sound chip supports external stereo headphones/equipment. Eight-bit monophonic sound input sampled at 11 or 22 kHzBuilt-in speaker with Macintosh stereo eight-bit output through the sound jack and eight-bit monophonic input at 11 or 22 kHz. The later Power Macintosh DOS card's Sound Blaster playback is not transferred to this earlier hardware.
Keyboard and mouseMouse, software and documentation in maker ordering list; monitor and keyboard ordered separatelyApple Directions states MS-DOS 6.2 and Apple PC Exchange are supplied. Separate monitor, keyboard and mouse in the shared-family catalogue photograph are labelled as illustrated accessories rather than a universal bundle. Original Windows software capability does not establish a bundled Windows licence.
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight6.4 kg–
Width × depth × height415 × 397 × 85 mm414 × 396 × 86 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailExact datasheet metric dimensions retained: H8.5/W41.5/D39.7 cm; 6.4 kg varies with internal devices. Shared Service Source incorrectly prints depth4.2in/107mm; exact datasheet and archived support agree15.6in depthExact original DOS-compatible TIL gives 86 × 414 × 396 mm (height × width × depth), used here, and 7.4 kg varying with installed devices. Current support gives 14 lb, and shared Service Source 6.4 kg; weight is omitted because this conflict is unresolved. Shared service depth 107 mm is inconsistent with the exact original 396 mm and current 15.6-inch depth.
Power supply100–240 V AC with automatic configuration; exact datasheet gives 50–60 Hz and 210 W maximum excluding monitor. Shared Service Source lists 112 W excluding monitor; preserve the source disagreement rather than treat either as measured running consumption. 3.6 V lithium clock batteryExact DOS specification gives automatically configured 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz and 210 W maximum excluding display power. Current support allows 47–63 Hz; shared-family Service Source gives 112 W excluding monitor. Conditions and maker disagreement remain qualified; neither is a measured normal consumption claim. 3.6 V lithium clock battery.
In the boxSystem 7.1 with System Enabler 040 v1.1 per archived maker specifications. Apple introduction is21October1993, not adopted as first-sale day. Fall1993 maker catalogue offers ordering and a promotion through31December1993, supporting sold during1993; exact first-delivery month remains unconfirmedSystem 7.1 with System Enabler 040 v1.1 and preinstalled MS-DOS 6.2. Current support records introduction on 28 February 1994; May 1994 Apple Directions explicitly says the computer shipped in March in the United States and selected international markets, supporting March 1994 release rather than substituting the introduction date. Apple later explicitly calls this the predecessor to Power Macintosh 6100 DOS Compatible.

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