Request a product

Apple Power Macintosh 5400/200 vs Apple Power Macintosh 5500/275

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

ApplePower Macintosh 5400/200ApplePower Macintosh 5500/275
Overview
Released19971997
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC 603e 200 MHz (Power Macintosh 5400)PowerPC 603e (275 MHz, Power Macintosh 5500)
CPU cores11
Memory24 MB or 32 MB16 MB or 32 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.275 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB internal cache and 64-bit PowerPC bus. UK and Dutch exact graphite specifications give 512 KB L2 cache. Shared service describes another 275 MHz configuration with the same features as the basic 5500/225 apart from clock speed; optional 256 KB family cache does not replace the documented graphite 512 KB value.
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 SGRAM and built-in hardware acceleration for 2D QuickDraw and 3D QuickDraw 3D/RAVE. Exact archived Dutch family specifications identify ATI 3D Rage II and support 24-bit colour through 800 × 600 on the built-in CRT. Headline resolution is this explicitly documented built-in colour mode, not a fixed pixel matrix or established maximum for every colour depth. Shared service lists 640 × 480, 800 × 600 and 832 × 624 at 32 bits per pixel, 1024 × 768 and 1152 × 870 at 16 bits, and 1280 × 1024 at 8 bits; it does not establish all of these as exact regional built-in display limits.
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.Graphite UK and Dutch family configurations have 32 MB EDO RAM, expandable to 128 MB in two 168-pin DIMM sockets. No system RAM is soldered on the logic board. Archived exact Dutch page specifies noncomposite 5 V, 60 ns or faster EDO DIMMs with 1K or 2K refresh. Shared service also permits 5 V fast-page DIMMs and warns that mixing types can use fast-page timings. Basic service configuration has 16 MB. 4 MB ROM.
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.Exact graphite family configuration has a 4 GB IDE hard drive, internal 24× CD-ROM and Apple SuperDrive floppy. Shared service also documents a basic 275 MHz configuration inheriting 16 MB RAM, a 2 GB or larger drive and 12× CD-ROM from the basic 225 MHz model; the 2 GB configuration is the documented minimum, not a claimed universal shipped capacity. Optical drives and software differ between these configurations. Shared service describes the floppy as 1.4 MB; the archived Dutch page uses the same maker wording.
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 32-bit PCI 2.0 slot for a 7-inch card with Macintosh drivers; communications slot occupied by the supplied graphite modem or optional Ethernet; video-input slot and TV/FM tuner bay. Graphite family specification includes TV/FM tuner and video-input card. Avid Cinema video-editing hardware is optional and requires Apple Video System. NuBus cards are not compatible with the PCI slot.
Display
Screen size12.8″12.8″
Resolution832 × 624800 × 600
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 15-inch nominal colour CRT with 12.8-inch visible diagonal. Shared service specifies 0.28 mm dot pitch and shadow-mask tube. Archived exact family page states up to 85 Hz without tying this figure to a resolution; headline refresh remains omitted. Display brightness controls are on the front, and the housing uses a swivel base.
Connections
PortsHeadphone jack, Ethernet2 × headphone 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-brightness controls, and infrared receiver for the TV/FM remote. Front jack plus rear stereo output give the headline two output jacks; sound input is counted separately in details.
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 with support for six external devices in the original Dutch family page; two RS-232/RS-422 serial ports with LocalTalk and GeoPort support in shared service; PlainTalk-compatible stereo sound input and rear stereo output. Graphite family modem supports data up to 33.6 Kbit/s, fax up to 14.4 Kbit/s, voice, answering-machine and hands-free functions; data rate depends on connection and provider. Archived page lists MNP4, V.42, MNP5 and V.42bis. Ethernet is a communications-slot option, not universally fitted. No USB or FireWire.
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.Computer-monitor video mirroring requires the optional external-video connector kit. Shared service supports mirroring at 640 × 480, 800 × 600 or 832 × 624; this does not establish an independent extended desktop. Avid Cinema provides optional PAL/NTSC video editing and output and requires the video-input system. Included TV/FM reception is not proof of included TV output.
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakers, 16-bit stereo sound input/output and SRS 3D surround processing, with rear stereo speaker output.Two built-in stereo speakers and 16-bit stereo sound input/output, with SRS surround-sound enhancement. Shared service supports recording at 11, 22 or 44 kHz. Front headphone and rear speaker outputs are separate.
MicrophonesBuilt-in microphone; PlainTalk-compatible external sound input.Built-in microphone plus external sound-input port supporting PlainTalk microphones. Shared service explicitly excludes the earlier Omni microphone and attenuated RCA adapter.
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.Exact archived Dutch ordering page identifies graphite Family Macintosh M6183 with keyboard, mouse, cables and model-specific software. Original UK Christmas 1997 brochure shows the graphite computer with matching keyboard and mouse, with TV/FM tuner and video-in listed in its 275 MHz specification. The screen artwork is original maker photography; it is not a clean unlit-screen alternative.
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight21 kg–
Width × depth × height383 × 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.Exact archived Dutch family page gives 40.6 × 19.8 × 42.8 cm and 20.2 kg, values resembling the companion tower rather than the pictured all-in-one. Shared service gives 445 mm height but swaps the family width/depth compared with other original all-in-one brochures, and prints internally inconsistent 17/19 lb versus 21.15 kg weights. These unresolved exact-model measurement conflicts are not promoted into headline weight or dimensions, and sibling-model measurements are not substituted.
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.Archived exact Dutch family specifications give 220 W maximum continuous input, with regional 200–240 or 100–125 V AC at 47–63 Hz and energy-saving sleep. Shared service gives 100–240 V AC at 47–63 Hz, a separate 125 W entry and 220 W maximum for all line/load conditions. These qualified ratings are not measured operating consumption.
Noise–Shared service describes a variable-speed enclosure fan and separate processor cooling fan, without a measured acoustic figure.
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.Shared service graphite configuration includes Mac OS 8.0. Original UK Christmas brochure describes purchase between 1 November and 31 December 1997 for a software offer; exact Dutch product ordering page is dated September 1997 and lists 275 MHz M6183. These establish sale in 1997; actual first-sale month or day remains unresolved. UK software includes Apple Magic Collection, Actua Soccer, Kai's Power Goo and multimedia reference titles; promotional software is not another hardware generation. Product resource is the original Dutch Apple family page covering exact 225/275 configurations; the support resource is the current official Earlier Power Mac family document index in English (Macau region), which has no exact 275 MHz entry. No exact surviving English maker support specification record or user guide was recovered.

More comparisons