Macintosh Color Classic
 | |
| Macintosh Color Classic | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Personal Computer |
| Released | February 10, 1993 |
| Discontinued | May 16, 1994 |
| Intro price | US$1,389 |
| CPU | Motorola 68030 @ 16 MHz |
| Memory | 4 MB RAM (expandable to 10 MB) |
| Storage | 1.44 MB 3.5" floppy drive, 40–160 MB SCSI hard drive |
| Display | 10" Sony Trinitron CRT (512×384 pixels) |
| Sound | Mono 8-bit, 22 kHz; built-in microphone |
| Dimensions | 15" H × 10" W × 12.66" D |
| Weight | 22 lbs (10 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 7.1 – Mac OS 7.6.1 |
| Predecessor | Macintosh Classic II |
| Successor | Macintosh Color Classic II |
| Codename | LC III, Performa 250 |
| Model no. | M1600 |
The Macintosh Color Classic, introduced in February 1993, was Apple's first compact Macintosh to feature a built-in color display. It combined the classic all-in-one Macintosh design with a 10-inch Sony Trinitron color CRT, offering a resolution of 512×384 pixels. Internally, it shared similarities with the Macintosh LC II, utilizing a Motorola 68030 processor running at 16 MHz and a 16-bit data bus.
Design and Features
[edit | edit source]The Color Classic retained the compact form factor of its predecessors but introduced several enhancements:
- Display: 10-inch Sony Trinitron color CRT with 512×384 resolution, switchable to 560×384 for Apple IIe emulation.
- Expansion: One LC-type Processor Direct Slot (PDS), compatible with the Apple IIe Card, enabling Apple IIe emulation.
- Audio: Built-in mono speaker and microphone.
- Ports:
- 2 × ADB ports
- 2 × Mini-DIN-8 serial ports
- 1 × DB-25 SCSI port
- 1 × 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Power Supply: 100W internal power supply.
Technical Specifications
[edit | edit source]Processor and Memory
[edit | edit source]- CPU: Motorola 68030 @ 16 MHz
- FPU: Optional Motorola 68882 via PDS slot
- RAM:
- 4 MB onboard
- Expandable to 10 MB using 30-pin SIMMs (100 ns)
- VRAM:
- 256 KB onboard
- Expandable to 512 KB via 68-pin VRAM SIMM slot.
Storage
[edit | edit source]- Floppy Drive: 1.44 MB 3.5" SuperDrive
- Hard Drive: Internal SCSI hard drive options of 40, 80, or 160 MB.
Video and Display
[edit | edit source]- Display: 10" Sony Trinitron CRT
- Resolution: 512×384 pixels (standard), switchable to 560×384
- Color Support:
- 256 colors with 256 KB VRAM
- 32,768 colors with 512 KB VRAM
Audio
[edit | edit source]- Output: Mono 8-bit, 22 kHz
- Input: Built-in microphone
Dimensions and Weight
[edit | edit source]- Dimensions: 15" (H) × 10" (W) × 12.66" (D)
- Weight: 22 lbs (10 kg)
Maintenance and Upgrades
[edit | edit source]The Color Classic is known for its ease of access, allowing users to perform upgrades and maintenance:
- RAM Upgrades: Two 30-pin SIMM slots allow for memory expansion up to 10 MB.
- VRAM Upgrade: A 68-pin VRAM SIMM slot enables video memory expansion to 512 KB.
- Logic Board Replacement: The logic board can be replaced or upgraded with boards from other LC-series Macs, such as the LC 575, in a modification known as the "Mystic" upgrade.
- Capacitor Replacement: Like many vintage Macs, the Color Classic may suffer from leaking capacitors. Recapping guides are available to address this issue.
General Maintenance
[edit | edit source]For cleaning, battery maintenance, board inspection, and power supply tuning, refer to the Macintosh Color Classic General Maintenance page.
PCB Schematics & Service Manual
[edit | edit source]The Macintosh Classic includes two main PCBs: a unified logic board and an analog board. Below are the schematics and Apple’s official service manual.
Apple Service Manual
[edit | edit source]
All Apple Service Manuals can be found on the Apple Service Source page.
Logic Board & Analog Board Schematics
[edit | edit source]| Logic Board | Analog Board |
|---|---|
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Capacitor Replacement Guide
[edit | edit source]Full details on logic and analog board recapping can be found at the Macintosh Color Classic Capacitor Replacement Guide.
Retrobrite
[edit | edit source]To restore the beige color of the Classic’s case, refer to the safe plastic whitening procedures outlined on the Retrobrite page.
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]For diagnosis and solutions to common issues including no startup, checkerboard patterns, floppy drive problems, and failed PRAM batteries, see the Macintosh Color Classic Troubleshooting guide.
Legacy and Collectibility
[edit | edit source]The Macintosh Color Classic holds a special place among vintage computer enthusiasts due to its unique design and modifiability. Its compact form factor combined with color display capabilities made it a favorite for customization and upgrades. The model is also notable for being the last compact Mac sold in the United States and the only one with a color screen.