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Apple Power Macintosh 5400/200 vs Apple Power Macintosh 5500/250

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

ApplePower Macintosh 5400/200ApplePower Macintosh 5500/250
Overview
Released19971997
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC 603e 200 MHz (Power Macintosh 5400)PowerPC 603e 250 MHz (Power Macintosh 5500)
CPU cores11
Memory24 MB or 32 MB32 MB
Storage1.6 GB2 GB to 4 GB
CPU200 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 cache, 256 KB L2 cache and a 64-bit 40 MHz bus. Optional PC Compatibility Card is separate hardware, not part of the standard CPU.250 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 cache, 256 KB L2 cache and 64-bit 50 MHz system bus. This is a distinct clock configuration from the 5500/225.
GPU1 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.2 MB built-in SGRAM with hardware 2D and 3D acceleration. Exact support table gives 24-bit colour through 832 × 624, 16-bit through 1152 × 870 and 8-bit at 1280 × 1024. The Australian brochure explicitly specifies the built-in display up to 1024 × 768 with 16-bit colour, but its separate Display support subsection incorrectly repeats a 1 MB/8-bit at 832 × 624 table resembling the earlier 5400; that inconsistent subsection is not used. The exact service table confirms 2 MB SGRAM and accelerated graphics.
Memory typeOriginal 24 MB configuration includes 8 MB soldered RAM and a DIMM; later US education M6126LL/A supplies 32 MB. Two 168-pin sockets support up to 136 MB using two 64 MB DIMMs. The exact support table specifies 70 ns minimum, while the shared service table specifies 60 ns or faster 5 V buffered EDO memory for the 200 MHz model; both published conditions are retained.32 MB RAM in the exact Australian brochure and support specification, with no soldered system memory; two 168-pin DIMM sockets permit up to 128 MB. Shared Service Source specifies 60 ns or faster, 5 V buffered EDO DIMMs and supports fast-page modules too; mixing types can operate at fast-page timings.
Storage typeExact support database lists a 1.6 GB ATA/IDE hard drive, original 8× CD-ROM and 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy. The June 1997 US education ordering brochure lists M6126LL/A with 32 MB RAM, the same 1.6 GB hard drive and a 12× CD-ROM; the shared service configuration narrative confirms these later 32 MB/12× education bundles. The 1.2 GB entry in the shared brochure belongs to the 5400/180 and is not assigned to this model.April 1997 Australian brochure specifies a graphite 32 MB/4 GB IDE/12× CD-ROM configuration. Exact support database instead lists 2 GB minimum and 24× CD-ROM. Shared Service Source documents later graphite Japanese/Australian 32 MB/4 GB/24× configurations with video input, 33.6 Kbit/s modem and Mac OS 8.0, and a US education 32 MB/24× configuration with video input, NTSC output and Ethernet. The later January 1998 family catalogue lists 2 GB and 12× or 24× drives. All retain a 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy; optical-drive and bundle conditions are kept explicit.
Expansion slotsOne 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. Ethernet occupies the communications slot and can be replaced by an optional 28.8 Kbit/s modem. Optional Apple Video System supports NTSC, PAL and SECAM input; optional Apple TV/FM Radio System requires the Video System. Avid Cinema is optional.One PCI slot for a 6.88-inch, 15 W card with a Macintosh driver, Communications Slot II for modem or Ethernet, video-input slot and optional TV/FM tuner bay. Australian brochure includes video input and lists TV tuner with infrared remote and Avid Cinema card/software as optional. The later US education configuration also supplies NTSC output.
Display
Screen size12.8″12.8″
Resolution832 × 6241024 × 768
PanelCRTCRT
Refresh rate75 Hz–
Display typeMultiple-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°.Built-in noninterlaced flat-square multiple-scan CRT, 15-inch nominal tube with 325 mm diagonal viewable image (12.8 inches in the January 1998 family catalogue), 0.28 mm dot pitch and software-selectable modes from 640 × 480 to 1024 × 768. Brochure states up to 75 Hz without assigning that maximum to the highest resolution, so headline refresh remains omitted. Base tilts −5° to +15° and swivels 360°.
Connections
PortsHeadphone jack, EthernetHeadphone jack
Ethernet0.01 Gb/s–
Front portsHeadphone output, sound-volume and display controls; infrared receiver for the optional TV/FM remote.Headphone output, sound-volume and display controls; infrared receiver for the optional TV/FM remote.
Back ports10BASE-T Ethernet, ADB, external DB-25 SCSI, two LocalTalk/GeoPort-compatible serial ports, PlainTalk-compatible sound input and stereo speaker output. Communications Slot II is used by the Ethernet card; an optional modem replaces it. Shared brochure specifies six external SCSI devices, while the service table says up to seven devices without the same external qualification. The shared service configuration narrative lists Ethernet among some education bundle features; the exact 200 MHz support page and ordering brochure identify it as included.ADB, external DB-25 SCSI, two RS-232/RS-422/LocalTalk/GeoPort-compatible serial ports, PlainTalk-compatible sound input and stereo output. Australian brochure includes a high-speed GeoPort modem without a published rate; later graphite service configurations specify a 33.6 Kbit/s modem. Exact support and US education service configuration list 10BASE-T, while the January 1998 maker catalogue qualifies Ethernet as configuration-dependent. Modem and Ethernet use the same communications slot; no universal Ethernet headline is assigned. Brochure supports six external SCSI devices.
External displaysOptional 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.January 1998 family catalogue lists NTSC TV output on some configurations; the service manual confirms NTSC output in the US education 250 MHz bundle. Australian brochure establishes built-in video input but does not establish included TV output. Computer-monitor video mirroring needs the appropriate external connector; do not treat an optional connector as included.
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakers, 16-bit stereo sound input/output and SRS 3D surround processing, with rear stereo speaker output.Built-in stereo speakers, 16-bit stereo sound input/output and SRS 3D surround processing, with rear stereo speaker output.
MicrophonesBuilt-in microphone; PlainTalk-compatible external sound input.Built-in microphone; PlainTalk-compatible external sound input.
Keyboard and mouseKeyboard, mouse and cables in the exact 200 MHz ordering brochure. Video input, TV/FM hardware, Avid Cinema and PC Compatibility Card are optional. Maker primary is the same photograph reprinted for the shared 180/200 family in August 1997 Apple Facts; gallery is the original shared 180/200 brochure angle. Neither external view establishes the fitted RAM or optical-drive speed.April 1997 Australian graphite presentation includes matching keyboard, mouse and necessary cables, built-in video-in card, high-speed modem, Apple System 7.5 software and a regional productivity, reference, education and game bundle. Internet service fees are additional. TV tuner/remote and Avid Cinema are optional. Later US education and international Mac OS 8.0 bundles vary; gallery shows the beige family education configuration, unlike the graphite primary.
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight21 kg21 kg
Width × depth × height383 × 406 × 445 mm383 × 406 × 445 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailApple 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.Australian exact brochure gives 44.5 × 38.3 × 40.6 cm (height × width × depth) and 21 kg / 47 lb. Exact support dimensions and January 1998 family catalogue agree. Weight varies with installed internal devices. Shared service physical table swaps width/depth and prints inconsistent pound/kilogram weights; the exact brochure measurements are used.
Power supplyBrochure 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.Exact support and Australian brochure specify 220 W maximum continuous, 110–240 V AC at 50–60 Hz; includes low-power sleep mode. Shared Service Source lists a separate 125 W entry and 220 W maximum for all line/load conditions. No value is treated as measured operating consumption.
Noise–Variable-speed fan automatically runs at the lowest speed needed to minimise noise; the processor also has a small cooling fan. No acoustic measurement is published in these sources.
In the boxExact support database lists original System 7.5.5; later 32 MB/12× education bundles use Mac OS 7.6.1. Apple records introduction on 17 February 1997; its June ordering brochure and August current catalogue establish sale in 1997. The actual first-sale month is unresolved and introduction is not used as a retail day.April 1997 Australian maker brochure presents the 250 MHz graphite computer as a ready-to-use product and directs buyers to authorised resellers. Exact support later records introduction on 1 September 1997, while the Australian brochure predates that regional/configuration entry. Retail year 1997 is supported by the contemporary Australian sales brochure; exact first-sale month is unresolved. Exact support lists System 7.5.5 with Enabler 411; later shared service configurations use Mac OS 8.0.

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