Apple Power Macintosh 5260/100 vs Apple Power Macintosh 5400/180

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

Power Macintosh 5260/100 compared with Power Macintosh 5400/180

	ApplePower Macintosh 5260/100	ApplePower Macintosh 5400/180
Overview
Released
Released	1996	1996
Performance
Processor
Processor	PowerPC 603e 100 MHz (Power Macintosh 5260/100)	PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Power Macintosh 5400)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	16 MB	16 MB
Storage
Storage	800 MB	1.2 GB to 1.6 GB (better)
CPU
CPU	100 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit. Exact Apple support lists 32 KB L1 cache and a 64-bit processor data path at 40 MHz; Original exact Apple TIL 19602 and May 1996 Apple Facts instead say 16 KB L1, an unresolved maker conflict. Apple's separate comparison table gives the narrower memory bus as 32-bit at 37.5 MHz, not the same path. Optional 256 KB L2 High Performance Module M4849LL/A is a 160-pin SIMM, not interchangeable with the later 5400/6400 DIMM. Original ordering description and cache note establish it as optional despite the support/service tables listing 256 KB without that qualification.	180 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 cache and 64-bit 40 MHz bus; optional 256 KB L2 cache. The shared service narrative also uses the 603ev name. An optional PC Compatibility Card is separate hardware, not part of the standard CPU.
GPU
GPU	1 MB built-in DRAM framebuffer; exact support and shared service video-mode list support 640 × 480 with 16-bit colour. Other higher-resolution timing pages in the shared service do not establish those as supported modes for the built-in 14-inch display.	1 MB built-in DRAM framebuffer independent of system RAM. Apple's Service Source supports 640 × 480 at 60 or 67 Hz with 16-bit colour, 800 × 600 at 60 or 72 Hz with 16-bit colour, and 832 × 624 at 75 Hz with 8-bit colour; video input is unavailable at 832 × 624. The exact support database also lists 1024 × 768, but the brochure and shared service manual restrict the built-in display to 832 × 624; 1024 × 768 is not used as its headline resolution.
Memory type
Memory type	16 MB standard in one 72-pin SIMM, with a second socket for expansion to 64 MB. No memory soldered on board; SIMMs can be installed individually. Exact original TIL 19602 specifies 70 ns, while exact current support and shared service specify 80 ns or faster. The timing difference remains qualified. Shared comparison lists an 8 MB minimum, without an exact factory bundle.	Original 16 MB configuration has 8 MB soldered on the logic board and an 8 MB DIMM; two 168-pin DIMM sockets permit up to 136 MB using 70 ns or faster memory. The shared service table also documents 180 MHz boards with 16 MB soldered RAM; that is not the original 8 MB board configuration.
Storage type
Storage type	800 MB IDE hard drive, 1.44 MB Apple SuperDrive floppy and quadruple-speed AppleCD 600i in original M4982LL/A ordering information. May 1996 Apple Facts says CD-ROM is present in most configurations; no undocumented drive-free factory combination is added. Shared service lists larger family drives without coupling them to an exact 5260/100 bundle.	November 1996 Apple Facts and the exact support database list a 1.6 GB IDE hard drive, 8× CD-ROM and 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy. Apple's June 1997 US education ordering brochure lists 5400/180 M5686LL/B with 16 MB, a 1.2 GB drive and 8× CD-ROM. The shared service manual documents some US education configurations with 12× CD-ROM and Mac OS 7.6.1. These are distinct bundles, not storage figures transferred from the 5400/200.
Expansion slots
Expansion slots	LC-compatible PDS, 68040-bus communications slot for optional modem or Ethernet, optional video-input card and TV tuner bay. PDS is not a direct connection to the PowerPC processor; processor-dependent cache/FPU cards are not compatible. Optional MPEG Media System requires the video-input card. Video capture accepts NTSC, PAL and SECAM; tuner standard varies by region.	One PCI slot for a card up to 6.88 inches long and 15 W, Communications Slot II, video-input slot and TV/FM tuner position. Optional Apple Video System supports NTSC, PAL and SECAM input; optional Apple TV/FM Radio System supplies television and FM reception. Original K–12 channel configurations described by Apple include the Video System and External Video Connector; neither is assumed standard in every bundle.
Display
Screen size
Screen size	12.3″	12.8″
Resolution
Resolution	640 × 480	832 × 624 (better)
Panel
Panel	CRT	CRT
Refresh rate
Refresh rate	66.67 Hz	75 Hz (better)
Display type
Display type	Built-in 14-inch nominal shadow-mask colour CRT with 12.3-inch viewable diagonal in the exact original ordering description and technical sheet. Shared Service Source instead says 12.8-inch viewable; exact model wording is retained. Dot pitch 0.28 mm; tilt-and-swivel base. A CRT has selectable raster modes rather than a fixed LCD pixel grid.	Multiple-scan flat-square shadow-mask CRT, 15-inch nominal tube with a 12.8-inch diagonal viewable image and 0.28 mm dot pitch. Tilt-and-swivel base tilts from −5° to +15° and swivels 360°.
Display features
Display features	640 × 480 at 16-bit colour and 66.67 Hz in the exact original TIL 19602 technical sheet. Shared service agrees on 66.7 Hz; a separate service timing table headed 60 Hz instead gives 15 ms, so no second 60 Hz mode is inferred.	–
Connections
Ports
Ports	Headphone jack	Headphone jack
Front ports
Front ports	Headphone output, push-button volume and display brightness controls, infrared remote receiver.	Headphone output, sound-volume and display controls; infrared receiver for the optional TV/FM remote.
Back ports
Back ports	ADB, external DB-25 SCSI, two RS-232/422 modem/printer serial ports with LocalTalk, PlainTalk-compatible sound input and stereo sound output. Ethernet requires an optional communications-slot card; no GeoPort inferred from a similar-looking serial connector. Exact original TIL gives six external SCSI devices in its ports section but five in expansion; maker catalogue says five and shared service seven. Limits remain source-qualified.	ADB, external DB-25 SCSI, two LocalTalk/GeoPort-compatible serial ports, PlainTalk-compatible sound input and stereo speaker output. November 1996 education configuration includes Ethernet in the communications slot, replaceable by a 28.8 Kbit/s modem. The June 1997 brochure makes Ethernet optional on the 180 MHz version, while the exact support database lists none; no universal Ethernet headline is assigned. Apple Facts specifies six external SCSI devices, whereas the shared service table says up to seven devices without the same external qualification.
External displays
External displays	Optional Apple External Video Connector provides DB-15 mirroring, with a compatible display. Optional Apple Presentation System converts the mirrored output for television/projector or VCR use; it is not an independent extended desktop.	Optional Apple External Video Connector enables video mirroring to a compatible display; the shared service lists 640 × 480, 800 × 600 and 832 × 624 external modes. Optional Apple Presentation System converts output to NTSC or PAL. A connector and compatible display are required.
Speakers
Speakers	Two built-in speakers and 16-bit stereo output. Shared service specifies 22 kHz playback and 11/22 kHz recording, with ordinary audio-CD playback. Stereo input connectors are combined to mono for recording/play-through; do not treat the connector as stereo capture.	Built-in stereo speakers, 16-bit stereo sound input/output and SRS 3D surround processing, with rear stereo speaker output.
Microphones
Microphones	Built-in microphone for mono recording; rear microphone/line input supports PlainTalk-compatible microphones.	Built-in microphone; PlainTalk-compatible external sound input.
Keyboard and mouse
Keyboard and mouse	Original M4982LL/A ordering description includes matching keyboard, mouse and necessary cables. External speakers, optional cache, Ethernet, video input/output, TV tuner and MPEG expansion are separate. Maker photograph shows the exact 5260/100 with keyboard and mouse.	Keyboard, mouse, cables and preinstalled software in the education ordering brochure; video input, TV/FM hardware, Ethernet and PC Compatibility Card vary by bundle or are optional. Shared-family gallery photograph shows the beige 5400 with supplied keyboard and mouse; it is not the international graphite Performa 5420.
Design and power
Type
Type	All-in-one	All-in-one
Weight
Weight	20.5 kg (better)	21 kg
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	383 × 406 × 445 mm	383 × 406 × 445 mm
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Size and weight detail
Size and weight detail	Exact original TIL 19602 technical sheet gives 44.5 × 38.3 × 40.6 cm (height × width × depth), 20.5 kg/45 lb; exact current support agrees on 16-inch depth and 45 lb. May 1996 Apple Facts instead gives 41.4 cm depth, 20.2 kg/44.9 lb, varying with installed devices. Shared service swaps width/depth and has inconsistent weight units. Exact original technical-sheet dimensions and complete-unit kg figure are used; disagreement remains explicit.	Apple Facts and the ordering brochure give 44.5 × 38.3 × 40.6 cm (height × width × depth), and 21 kg / 47 lb, varying with installed devices. The shared service physical table swaps width/depth and prints internally inconsistent pound/kilogram weights; the exact maker brochure dimensions and complete-unit mass are used.
Power supply
Power supply	Exact current support lists 125 W maximum , 110–240 V AC at 50–60 Hz. Exact original TIL 19602 instead gives 240 W maximum at 110–240 V AC 50–60 Hz; shared service gives 100–240 V 47–63 Hz, 240 W maximum and a separate 220 W all-line/load maximum. Conflicting ratings remain qualified; no universal headline operating consumption is assigned.	Brochure and exact support database specify 220 W maximum continuous, 110–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz. The shared service gives 100–240 V at 47–63 Hz, a separate 125 W entry and 220 W maximum for all line/load conditions; these are power ratings, not measured operating consumption.
In the box
In the box	System 7.5.3 and 4 MB ROM in exact Apple support; original ordering description calls it System 7.5. Apple records introduction on 15 April 1996; current May 1996 maker education catalogue establishes sale in 1996, not a first-sale month. Release remains year precision. North American education 5260/100 is separate from later 5260/120 and international Performa bundles.	Exact support database lists System 7.5.3 with Enabler 410; later education brochure and some service configurations use Mac OS 7.6.1. Apple records introduction on 1 October 1996, and its November 1996 current education catalogue establishes sale in 1996. The actual first-sale month is unresolved, so the date remains year precision.