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Apple Power Macintosh 5500/225 vs Apple Power Macintosh 5500/275

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

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ApplePower Macintosh 5500/225ApplePower Macintosh 5500/275
Overview
Released19971997
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC 603e 225 MHz (Power Macintosh 5500)PowerPC 603e (275 MHz, Power Macintosh 5500)
CPU cores11
Memory16 MB or 32 MB16 MB or 32 MB
Storage2 GB to 4 GB2 GB to 4 GB
CPU225 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 cache, 256 KB L2 cache and 64-bit 50 MHz system bus.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.
GPU2 MB built-in SGRAM with hardware 2D and 3D acceleration, including QuickDraw 3D, video capture and QuickTime/MPEG-1 playback. Exact education brochure specifies 24-bit colour through 832 × 624 and 16-bit colour through 1024 × 768. Exact support and shared service tables also list 1152 × 870 at 16-bit and 1280 × 1024 at 8-bit; the brochure does not establish these as built-in CRT modes, so its documented 1024 × 768 display mode is retained as the headline. Display resolution can be changed in software; the CRT has no fixed pixel matrix.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 typeUS education ordering model M5761LL/A has 32 MB RAM; the shared service manual also documents 16 MB configurations sold worldwide. No system RAM is soldered on the logic board. Two 168-pin DIMM slots support up to 128 MB with 5 V, 60 ns or faster EDO DIMMs; the brochure specifies noncomposite modules with 1K or 2K refresh. The service manual supports both fast-page and EDO DIMMs, noting that mixing them can use fast-page timings.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 US education brochure specifies a 2 GB IDE hard drive, 12× CD-ROM and 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy. Exact support and shared service document 24× optical configurations too. Later US education configurations have 32 MB/24× and Mac OS 8.0; Europe has 32 MB/2 GB/24× with a 33.6 Kbit/s modem, while Japan has 32 MB/4 GB/24× with the same modem and Mac OS 8.0.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 2.0 expansion slot for a 7-inch card with a Macintosh driver, Communications Slot II used by the Ethernet card or regional modem, video-input slot and TV/FM tuner bay. The education brochure lists optional Apple TV/FM Radio System and Avid Cinema Video Editing System. The shared service provides a digital-video connector for compatible expansion hardware; it is not compatible with the earlier Quadra 660AV/840AV connector.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″
Resolution1024 × 768800 × 600
PanelCRTCRT
Display typeBuilt-in multiple-scan flat-square colour CRT, 15-inch nominal with 12.8-inch diagonal viewable image and 0.28 mm dot pitch. A refresh rate specifically established for the highest brochure-documented built-in mode remains unpublished and is omitted.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 portsUS education brochure and exact support specify 10BASE-T Ethernet, ADB, external DB-25 SCSI, two RS-232/RS-422/LocalTalk/GeoPort-compatible serial ports, PlainTalk-compatible sound input and stereo output. The Ethernet card occupies Communications Slot II; later European and Japanese configurations instead supply a 33.6 Kbit/s modem. Brochure supports six external SCSI devices. Video-input card is included in the education brochure and accepts composite and S-Video; TV/FM tuner and Avid Cinema are optional.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 displaysUS education brochure includes NTSC TV-output capability for a compatible television, VCR or camcorder. Computer-monitor output requires the appropriate external video connector; the shared service documents video mirroring rather than an independent extended desktop. Regional video bundles vary.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 mouseExact M5761LL/A education brochure includes AppleDesign Keyboard, ADB Mouse II, 32 MB RAM, 2 GB drive, 12× CD-ROM, internet-access software and setup/reference documentation. Video-input and NTSC TV-output hardware are included in this education presentation; TV/FM tuner and Avid Cinema are optional. Exact photographs show the beige 225 MHz model with keyboard/mouse; later international bundles differ.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 detailExact education brochure gives 44.5 × 38.3 × 40.6 cm (height × width × depth), 21 kg / 47 lb; support database agrees with these inch dimensions and 47 lb. AppleFacts August 1997 second page instead prints tower-like 40.6 × 19.8 × 42.9 cm and 20 kg, inconsistent with its all-in-one identity. The shared service swaps width/depth and prints inconsistent pound weights. Brochure complete-unit measurements are retained, with weight varying by installed devices.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 supplyExact support specifies 220 W maximum, 110–240 V AC at 50–60 Hz. The original education brochure separately lists 150 W maximum excluding the display, 110/220 V and 47–63 Hz. Shared service lists 125 W and 220 W maximum for all line/load conditions; these differently qualified ratings are not treated as 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.
NoiseVariable-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.Shared service describes a variable-speed enclosure fan and separate processor cooling fan, without a measured acoustic figure.
In the boxExact support lists original System 7.5.5 and Enabler 411; education brochure lists Mac OS 7.6 or later and describes Mac OS 7.6.1 software, while later service configurations use Mac OS 8.0. Apple records introduction on 17 February 1997, but the August 1997 current ordering brochure and catalogue establish sale only at year precision in this record. Actual first-sale month remains unresolved. Energy Saver schedules sleep, starting up and shutdown.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.

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