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Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180 · Photo source
Apple · Macintosh
Macintosh Performa 6400/180
A 180 MHz PowerPC home tower with a built-in speaker, two PCI slots and an optional secondary cache.
- Type
- Tower
- Processor
- PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)
- Memory
- 16 MB
- Storage
- 1.6 GB
- Screen
- –
- Weight
- –
What reviewers say
Contemporary reviewers found poor value against faster Mac clones. MacUser praised easy expansion and sound, but found the cacheless 180 MHz version substantially slower than the 200 MHz model and criticised limited graphics. Macworld also criticised slow storage and restricted expansion, while recognising reliable systems and Apple's support.
From vintageapple.org and vintageapple.org
Product links
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specPerformance
- Processor
- PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400)
- CPU cores
- 1
- Memory
- 16 MB
- Storage
- 1.6 GB
- CPU
- 180 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 cache and a 64-bit 40 MHz bus. The 256 KB Apple High Performance Module L2 cache is optional, unlike the standard cache of the 6400/200. The shared Service Source calls the processor 603ev; the exact specification page and original brochure use 603e.
- GPU
- 1 MB built-in video DRAM, not expandable; 640 × 480 and 800 × 600 at 16-bit colour, 832 × 624 and 1024 × 768 at 8-bit colour. A separate PCI graphics card is needed for additional capabilities.
- Memory type
- 8 MB soldered to the logic board and an 8 MB DIMM supplied; two 168-pin 64-bit fast-page-mode DIMM sockets support up to 136 MB total, with 70 ns or faster memory.
- Storage type
- 1.6 GB internal IDE hard drive, 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy drive and tray-loading 8× CD-ROM. The shared service manual lists a 1.2 GB drive and AppleCD 600i for generic 6400 configurations; the exact 180 MHz support page and ordering brochure agree on 1.6 GB and 8×.
- Expansion slots
- Two PCI 2.0 slots for 6.88-inch cards with Mac drivers; Communications Slot II occupied by the supplied modem, plus positions for optional video input and TV/FM tuner cards. One pre-cabled 5.25-inch internal SCSI bay. Optional Avid Cinema requires the Apple Video System and occupies one PCI slot; it is not supplied with the standard 180 MHz configuration.
Display
- Screen
- None built in
Connections
- Ports
- Headphone jack
- Front ports
- 3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; optional infrared remote support.
- Back ports
- DB-15 monitor output, ADB, DB-25 external SCSI, two GeoPort-compatible serial ports, 3.5 mm sound input compatible with PlainTalk microphones and line-level 3.5 mm speaker output. The supplied modem provides 28.8 Kbit/s data and 14.4 Kbit/s fax; replacing it with an Ethernet card provides wired networking. Optional video input handles composite and S-video NTSC, PAL or SECAM.
- Speakers
- Built-in full-range monophonic speaker switches to subwoofer operation when external speakers are connected. 16-bit stereo input/output at 11.025, 22.05 or 44.1 kHz; SRS surround processing applies to rear sound output, not the front headphone jack.
- Keyboard and mouse
- Keyboard, mouse, cables and bundled applications listed for US order M5167LL/A; display, TV/FM tuner, Apple Video System, Avid Cinema and PC Compatibility Card are optional. Gallery image includes an optional monitor.
Design and power
- Type
- Tower
- Width × depth × height
- 198 × 428 × 406 mm
- Operating system
- macOS
- Size and weight detail
- Original brochure lists 40.6 × 19.8 × 42.8 cm (height × width × depth), matching the service manual. Weight is 20.18 kg without the monitor and varies with installed devices; the service manual explicitly excludes the CD-ROM drive. The technical booklet transposes depth and height labels.
- Power supply
- Exact specification page and ordering brochure list 220 W maximum, 100–125 or 200–240 V AC at 47–63 Hz. The shared service manual agrees on 220 W maximum continuous but gives wider voltage bands; the original technical booklet instead states 140 W input and 98 W DC output. These conflicting ratings are retained rather than treated as measured consumption.
- In the box
- Original System Software 7.5.3 with System Enabler 410 v1.1. Apple lists 5 August 1996 as introduction; the original 1996 ordering brochure and contemporary MacUser review establish sale in 1996, but a distinct first-sale month remains unresolved.
Configurations
| Processor | Memory | Storage | Storage type |
|---|---|---|---|
| PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Performa 6400) | 16 MB | 1.6 GB | Hard drive |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Slide-out logic board for memory and card access
- Built-in speaker with subwoofer mode for external speakers
- Two PCI slots and a spare internal SCSI drive bay
Cons
- Secondary cache costs extra
- No built-in Ethernet
- Built-in video memory cannot be expanded
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Processor | Memory | Storage | Screen | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tower | PowerPC 601 120 MHz (Power Macintosh 7200/120) | 16 MB | 1.2 GB | – | 11.3 kg | 1996 | |
| Tower | PowerPC 604 132 MHz (Power Macintosh 9500/132) | 16 MB | 1.2 GB | – | – | 1996 | |
| Tower | PowerPC 604 150 MHz (Power Macintosh 8500/150) | 16 MB | 2 GB | – | 11.34 kg | 1996 |
Sources
- support.apple.com/en-euro/112235
- 1000bit.it/ad/bro/apple/appleperforma6400-180.pdf
- machut.net/files/manuals/macintosh_performa/0300027APRF6400UM.PDF
- machut.net/files/manuals/macintosh_performa/0340003APRF6400TI.PDF
- macdat.net/files/pdf/servicesource/powermac_6400-6500.pdf
- vintageapple.org/applefacts/pdf/Apple_Facts_9611_11.96_November_1996.pdf
Photo: 1000bit.it
- Apple maker catalogue photograph of the Performa 6400 tower with keyboard, mouse and an optional monitor; the catalogue identifies both 180 and 200 MHz variants: vintageapple.org/applefacts/pdf/Apple_Facts_9611_11.96_November_1996.pdf