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Apple Macintosh Quadra 900 vs Apple Macintosh Quadra 950

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacintosh Quadra 900AppleMacintosh Quadra 950
Overview
ReleasedOctober 1991May 1992
Performance
Processor68040 25 MHz (Macintosh Quadra 900)68040 33 MHz (Macintosh Quadra 950)
CPU cores11
Memory4 MB8 MB
Storage160 MB to 400 MB230 MB to 400 MB
CPU25 MHz Motorola 68040 with integrated memory-management and floating-point units and 8 KB on-chip cache; no standard L2 cache33 MHz Motorola 68040 with integrated memory-management and floating-point units and 8 KB on-chip cache; 25 MHz I/O clock, up from 16 MHz in the Quadra 900
GPUBuilt-in video with 1 MB VRAM, expandable to 2 MB; Apple lists 8-bit colour at 640 × 480, 832 × 624 and 1152 × 870 with standard VRAM, and 24-bit at 640 × 480 and 832 × 624 with 2 MBBuilt-in video with 1 MB VRAM, expandable to 2 MB; Apple lists 16-bit colour at 640 × 480 and 832 × 624 with standard VRAM and 24-bit at these resolutions with 2 MB
Memory typeSixteen 30-pin 80 ns SIMM slots in banks of four, with 4 MB standard. Apple's October 1991 catalogue supported 64 MB using 4 MB SIMMs; its later support sheet lists a 256 MB technical maximum using larger modules but notes 8 MB and 16 MB SIMMs are not supported by Apple. Original UK maker brochure explicitly advertises 256 MB using 16 MB SIMMs; that original maker qualification differs from the later support sheet's unsupported-module note.Sixteen 30-pin 80 ns SIMM slots in banks of four, with 8 MB standard. Apple supported up to 64 MB using 4 MB SIMMs; its later support sheet lists a 256 MB technical maximum with larger modules that it does not support.
Storage typeInternal 1.44 MB SuperDrive and optional 160 MB SCSI hard drive at launch; Apple listed a 400 MB version for January 1992. The case supports three further internal SCSI devices, including a removable-media device.Internal 1.44 MB SuperDrive and 230 or 400 MB SCSI hard-drive configurations at introduction; the case supports up to four internal SCSI devices, including a CD-ROM or DAT drive
Expansion slotsFive NuBus '90 slots and one processor-direct slotFive NuBus slots and one processor-direct slot
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsEthernet, headphone jackEthernet, headphone jack
Back portsApple Desktop Bus, DB-15 video, DB-25 SCSI, two serial ports, AAUI Ethernet, mono sound input and stereo sound outputApple Desktop Bus, DB-15 video, DB-25 SCSI, two serial ports, AAUI Ethernet, mono sound input and stereo sound output
External displaysBuilt-in video supports Apple's monitor range, with colour depth depending on VRAM and resolution; Apple's launch catalogue also names VGA, NTSC and PAL monitor supportBuilt-in video supports Apple's monitor range; colour depth depends on VRAM and resolution
SpeakersInternal speaker, mono audio input and stereo sound output; Apple supplied a microphoneInternal speaker, mono audio input and stereo sound output
Design and power
TypeTowerTower
Weight16.7 kg16.7 kg
Width × depth × height226 × 523 × 473 mm226 × 523 × 473 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailApple's 18.6 × 8.9 × 20.6 inch dimensions and 36.8 lb weight for the floppy-only model; metric fields are rounded conversionsApple's 18.6 × 8.9 × 20.6 inch and 36.8 lb reference dimensions; metric fields are rounded conversions
Power supplyMaximum 303 W, 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; 3.6 V lithium clock battery and keyboard soft powerMaximum 303 W, 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; 3.6 V lithium clock battery and keyboard soft power
In the boxOriginal System Software 7.0.1, microphone and ADB mouse; Apple's October 1991 catalogue says the keyboard was sold separatelyOriginal System Software 7.0.1. Apple's June 1992 catalogue states that the 950 was introduced the previous month and that existing Quadra 900 owners could upgrade through a logic-board replacement.

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