Power Macintosh 5400/180

Released 1996

An education-focused PowerPC all-in-one with a built-in colour CRT, stereo speakers and a PCI expansion slot.

Type: All-in-one
Processor: PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Power Macintosh 5400)
Memory: 16 MB
Storage: 1.2 GB – 1.6 GB
Screen: 12.8″
Weight: 21 kg

All-in-one

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Specifications

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Performance

Processor: PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Power Macintosh 5400)
CPU cores: 1
Memory: 16 MB
Storage: 1.2 GB to 1.6 GB
CPU: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 12.8″
Resolution: 832 × 624
Panel: CRT
Refresh rate: 75 Hz
Display type: 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°.

Connections

Ports: Headphone jack
Front ports: Headphone output, sound-volume and display controls; infrared receiver for the optional TV/FM remote.
Back ports: 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: 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: Built-in stereo speakers, 16-bit stereo sound input/output and SRS 3D surround processing, with rear stereo speaker output.
Microphones: Built-in microphone; PlainTalk-compatible external sound input.
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: All-in-one
Weight: 21 kg
Width × depth × height: 383 × 406 × 445 mm
Operating system: macOS
Size and weight detail: 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: 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: 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.

Configurations

Processor	Memory	Storage	Storage type
PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Power Macintosh 5400)	16 MB	1.6 GB	Hard drive
PowerPC 603e 180 MHz (Power Macintosh 5400)	16 MB	1.2 GB	Hard drive

Pros and cons

Pros

Built-in display, stereo speakers and microphone
PCI slot and optional video input and TV/FM tuner
Memory expandable to 136 MB

Cons

No USB ports
Highest built-in display resolution is limited to 256 colours
Ethernet depends on the regional education bundle

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Processor	Memory	Storage	Screen	Weight	Released
AppleMacintosh Performa 5400/160	All-in-one	PowerPC 603e (160 MHz, Macintosh Performa 5400/160)	16 MB	1.6 GB	12.8″	21 kg	1996
ApplePower Macintosh 5260/100	All-in-one	PowerPC 603e 100 MHz (Power Macintosh 5260/100)	16 MB	800 MB	12.3″	20.5 kg	1996
ApplePower Macintosh 5260/120	All-in-one	PowerPC 603e 120 MHz (Power Macintosh 5260/120)	16 MB	1.2 GB	12.3″	20.5 kg	1996

Sources

Photo: vintageapple.org

Original Apple 5400/180 and 5400/200 family brochure photograph of the beige all-in-one from an angle, with keyboard and mouse; this shared view does not establish the fitted storage or Ethernet bundle: 1000bit.it/ad/bro/apple/applepowermac5400.pdf

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