Apple Power Macintosh 4400/160 vs Apple Power Macintosh 6300/120

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Power Macintosh 4400/160 compared with Power Macintosh 6300/120
ApplePower Macintosh 4400/160ApplePower Macintosh 6300/120
Overview
ReleasedNovember 1996June 1996
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC 603e 160 MHz (Power Macintosh 4400/160)PowerPC 603e 120 MHz (Power Macintosh 6300/120)
CPU cores11
Memory16 MB16 MB
Storage1.2 GB1.2 GB
CPU160 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 40 MHz system bus and 32 KB level-one cache; optional 256 KB level-two cache on a 160-pin DIMM card120 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 cache and standard 256 KB L2 cache. Exact English support lists a 64-bit processor data path at 40 MHz; this is not a claim that every memory or I/O bus is 64-bit.
GPUBuilt-in video with 1 MB EDO video-memory DIMM, expandable to 2 MB EDO or up to 4 MB SGRAM. Exact support table gives 16-bit colour through 832 × 624 and 8-bit at 1024 × 768 or 1152 × 870 with standard 1 MB; 1280 × 1024 needs expanded video memory and permits 8-bit at 2 MB or 16-bit at 4 MB1 MB built-in DRAM framebuffer, independent of system RAM. DB-15 monitor output supports 640 × 480 with 16-bit colour or 800 × 600 and 832 × 624 with 8-bit colour. Exact English support states video input is not supported at 832 × 624.
Memory type16 MB standard; maximum 96 MB using three 168-pin 64-bit 3.3 V unbuffered EDO DIMMs, 60 ns or faster. Each socket supports up to 32 MB; slot one only supports single-bank DIMMs. No memory soldered to board; 4 MB ROM16 MB standard, expandable to 64 MB using two 72-pin noncomposite SIMM slots with 80 ns or faster DRAM. No RAM soldered on the board in exact English support; SIMMs can be installed individually. Original Japanese accessory list also advertises an 8 MB 70 ns memory kit.
Storage type1.2 GB internal IDE hard disk, manual-inject 1.44 MB Apple SuperDrive floppy and 8× ATAPI CD-ROM1.2 GB internal IDE hard drive, Apple SuperDrive 1.44 MB floppy and 4× AppleCD 600i CD-ROM drive in the exact Japanese factory configuration.
Expansion slotsThree PCI 2.0 expansion slots, 45 W combined allowance. Exact English support says one 7-inch and two 12-inch slots; shared Service Source instead specifies one full-size 12.28-inch slot and all three support 6.88-inch cards. Card-length conflict retained. No separate Comm Slot II on this original 160 model; later 200 model differsLC-compatible 68030 processor-direct expansion slot, communications slot for optional Ethernet or modem, optional video-input card and TV tuner connector. No PCI. Optional Apple TV/FM Radio System requires the Apple Video System; NTSC, PAL and SECAM capture are available with the relevant expansion card.
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jack2 × headphone jack
Front ports–Front headphone output and push-button volume controls; infrared receiver for compatible optional remote control.
Back portsDB-15 monitor output, one ADB connector, external DB-25 SCSI, two GeoPort-compatible RS-232/RS-422 serial connectors, stereo sound input and 3.5 mm headphone/line-level sound output. No standard Ethernet; add a PCI network card. Built-in LocalTalk through serial portDB-15 display output, one ADB port, two RS-232/422 serial ports for printer/modem and AppleTalk, DB-25 SCSI, microphone/line input and stereo sound output. Ethernet requires an optional communications card; these serial ports are not GeoPort.
External displaysOne external monitor; supported resolution and colour depth depend on installed video-memory DIMM. No built-in displayNo built-in display. Original Japanese page supports Apple monitors from 13 to 20 inches and compatible VGA/SVGA monitors using the appropriate video cable. Contemporary special bundle includes an Apple Multiple Scan 1705 17-inch monitor; the base computer does not include it.
SpeakersBuilt-in speaker and 16-bit stereo sound input/outputBuilt-in speaker; muted when a sound-output port is used. 16-bit monophonic audio input and 16-bit stereo output. Front and rear headphone/output jacks cannot be used simultaneously, according to the exact Japanese specifications.
MicrophonesSupports an external Apple PlainTalk microphone; no built-in microphone figure is publishedSupports an external microphone or line input; Apple PlainTalk microphone is a separate accessory.
Keyboard and mouseOriginal System 7.5.3 and System Enabler 827. Contemporary exact maker ordering description supplies keyboard, mouse, system software and reference documentation; external display and optional network/cache hardware are separateJapanese configuration includes Apple Desktop Bus Mouse II, power cable, manuals, warranty information and KanjiTalk 7.5.1, Apple Internet Starter Kit and ClarisWorks 2.0J CDs. Keyboard is sold separately. The contemporary photo also shows an external monitor and keyboard; these are not built into the desktop.
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight9.5 kg8.6 kg (better)
Width × depth × height385 × 442 × 139 mm320 × 419.5 × 109.5 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailShared Service Source gives 139 × 385 × 442 mm and 9.5 kg, but its corresponding 24 lb figure is inconsistent. Published metric weight retained without conversion; installed equipment changes weightExact Japanese maker page gives 109.5 × 320 × 419.5 mm (height × width × depth), 8.6 kg for the computer. English support gives 4.3 × 12.6 × 16.5 inches and 19 lb, rounded equivalents. External monitor, keyboard and mouse are excluded.
Power supplyManually switched mains. Exact support specifies 110/220 V, 47–63 Hz and 150 W maximum; shared Service Source specifies 90–270 V switchable 110/220 V and 200 W maximum excluding monitor. These unresolved maximum-rating differences are retained without treating them as measured operating consumptionExact Japanese maker page specifies 82 W maximum excluding the monitor, 100–240 V AC at 50–60 Hz. Exact English support and archived Apple Spec Database instead give 55 W maximum, 110–240 V at 50–60 Hz. Clock battery is described as lithium in the Japanese page and 4.5 V alkaline in the English table. Conflicts remain explicit; no universal operating-consumption headline or inferred battery type.
In the boxExact Apple support lists 7 November 1996 as introduction. Apple Tech Info Library dated 18 November 1996 explicitly says the exact 4400/160 is currently available in Europe, supporting November 1996 sale precision without inventing a day. Contemporary German coverage planned availability there for December; regional delivery differed. This is the Europe-only 160 MHz version, not the later 200 MHz or renamed Far East 7220.KanjiTalk/System 7.5.1 and 4 MB ROM. Apple records introduction on 27 June 1996; PC Watch’s contemporary 2 July retailer survey explicitly reports sale from 27 June, corroborating that date. English maker table states this system was not sold in the US. The 120 MHz Power Macintosh is distinct from the existing 100 MHz Macintosh Performa 6300CD; no unverified official predecessor link is assigned.

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