Macintosh Performa 5300CD
 | |
| Macintosh Performa 5300CD | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | All-in-one Personal Computer |
| Released | October 17, 1995 |
| Discontinued | May 1996 |
| CPU | PowerPC 603e @ 100 MHz |
| Memory | 8–16 MB RAM (expandable to 64 MB) |
| Storage | 1.2 GB IDE hard drive, 4X CD-ROM, 1.44 MB floppy |
| Display | 15" shadow mask CRT (640×480 at 16-bit, 832×624 at 8-bit) |
| Sound | 8-bit stereo, PlainTalk microphone |
| Dimensions | 17.5" H × 15.1" W × 16.0" D |
| Weight | 47 lbs (21.3 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 7.5.1 – Mac OS 9.1 |
| Predecessor | Performa 5200CD |
| Successor | Performa 5400CD |
| Codename | Trailblazer, Bongo, Rebound, Transformer, Cordyceps (logic board) |
The Macintosh Performa 5300CD is an all-in-one personal computer released by Apple Computer on October 17, 1995.[1] It was sold as part of Apple's Performa consumer line and featured a built-in 15" shadow mask color display. The system was based on the Power Macintosh 5300/100 LC, its educational counterpart sold in North America.[2]
The Performa 5300 series shares the same logic board design (codenamed "Cordyceps") as the Performa 5200CD, based on the older LC architecture with a 40 MHz system bus and 32-bit memory path despite the 603e being a 64-bit processor.[3]
Model Variants
[edit | edit source]The Performa 5300 series includes two variants sharing the same logic board:
| Model | CPU Speed | Markets | Introduced | Discontinued |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performa 5300CD | 100 MHz | Worldwide | October 1995 | May 1996 |
| Performa 5320CD | 120 MHz | Europe, Asia | November 1995 | August 1996 |
The Performa 5320CD additionally included TV/video input and output cards pre-installed.[4]
A Director's Edition variant of the 5300CD was sold in Europe and Australia with additional bundled software.
Architecture and Processor
[edit | edit source]The Performa 5300CD uses a PowerPC 603e processor running at 100 MHz with an integrated FPU. The processor communicates over a 40 MHz system bus with a 64-bit data path, though the memory subsystem operates at 32-bit width due to the LC-derived architecture.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | PowerPC 603e @ 100 MHz |
| FPU | Integrated |
| L1 Cache | 32 KB |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB |
| System Bus | 40 MHz |
| Data Path | 64-bit (32-bit memory path) |
Memory and Storage
[edit | edit source]RAM Configuration
[edit | edit source]The system shipped with 8 MB or 16 MB of RAM depending on configuration. Two 72-pin SIMM slots accept 80 ns or faster memory modules, allowing expansion to a maximum of 64 MB using 4, 8, 16, or 32 MB SIMMs.[5]
ROM and System Software
[edit | edit source]The system contains 4 MB of ROM. It shipped with System 7.5.1 and System Enabler 406, supporting up to Mac OS 9.1.
Storage Systems
[edit | edit source]| Device | Specification |
|---|---|
| Hard Drive | 1.2 GB IDE |
| CD-ROM | 4X internal |
| Floppy | 1.44 MB 3.5" (manual inject) |
| External SCSI | DB-25 connector |
The internal hard drive connects via an 8-bit IDE controller. External SCSI devices connect through the DB-25 port on the rear of the system. The system does not provide SCSI termination power; external devices must supply their own.
Display and Graphics
[edit | edit source]The built-in 15" shadow mask RGB display supports:
| Resolution | Color Depth |
|---|---|
| 640 × 480 | 16-bit (thousands of colors) |
| 800 × 600 | 8-bit (256 colors) |
| 832 × 624 | 8-bit (256 colors) |
Video uses 1 MB of system RAM dedicated to display functions. This allocation remains fixed regardless of total system RAM. An optional LC PDS video card can provide a secondary display output via DB-15 connector.
Audio Capabilities
[edit | edit source]The Performa 5300CD supports 8-bit stereo sound playback. Audio input uses a PlainTalk-compatible microphone jack with 16-bit mono recording at line level (100 mV RMS average, 1.8 V RMS maximum, 100 kΩ impedance).
The Performa 5260CD, despite its lower model number, shipped later with a newer logic board design supporting 16-bit stereo playback.
Input/Output and Expansion
[edit | edit source]Port Configuration
[edit | edit source]| Port | Connector | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADB | Mini-DIN 4 | Keyboard and mouse |
| Serial (Printer) | DIN-8 | Disabled when comm slot Ethernet installed |
| Serial (Modem) | DIN-8 | Disabled when comm slot modem installed |
| SCSI | DB-25 | External devices |
| Audio In | 3.5mm | PlainTalk compatible |
| Audio Out | 3.5mm | Headphone/speaker |
The serial ports do not support hardware handshaking on most units, which limits modem speeds. Only the final logic board revision added hardware handshaking support. Global Village Teleport Platinum modems implement handshaking internally, bypassing this limitation.
Expansion Slots
[edit | edit source]| Slot | Purpose |
|---|---|
| LC PDS | 32-bit expansion cards, video output |
| Comm Slot | Internal modem or Ethernet |
| TV Tuner | Apple TV Tuner Card |
| Video I/O | Video input and output cards |
10Base-T Ethernet was available as an option through the comm slot.
Known Issues
[edit | edit source]The Performa 5300 series, along with the related 5200 and 6200/6300 series, has documented reliability and performance issues:
- Limited IDE controller (8-bit) reduces hard drive throughput
- LC-derived architecture bottlenecks the 603e processor
- Serial port limitations affect high-speed modem compatibility
- Network stability issues resolved by Open Transport 1.2 (Mac OS 8)
- Installing a SCSI terminator on an unused SCSI port improves network stability
Third-party hard drive utilities such as FWB HD Toolkit provide better IDE drive performance than Apple's HD SC Setup.
General Maintenance
[edit | edit source]For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, connector corrosion prevention, and voltage adjustments, refer to the dedicated Macintosh Performa 5300CD General Maintenance page.
PCB Schematics & Service Manual
[edit | edit source]The Macintosh Performa 5300CD features two main PCBs: the Logic Board (Cordyceps) and Analog Board.
Apple Service Manual
[edit | edit source]The official Apple Service Source manual covers both the Performa 5200 and 5300 series:
All Apple Service Manuals can be found on the Apple Service Source page.
Capacitor Replacement Guide
[edit | edit source]Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines for both analog and logic boards can be found on the Macintosh Performa 5300CD Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Retrobrite
[edit | edit source]To address plastic yellowing, detailed instructions can be found on the Retrobrite page.
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing no power, chime but no video, intermittent operation, Sad Mac errors, and floppy drive problems is available on the Macintosh Performa 5300CD Troubleshooting page.
Technical Details
[edit | edit source]System Architecture at a Glance
[edit | edit source]| Sub-system | Specification (Macintosh Performa 5300CD, 1995) |
|---|---|
| CPU | PowerPC 603e @ 100 MHz |
| Bus width | 64-bit data path • 32-bit memory |
| ROM | 4 MB |
| RAM | 8–16 MB (expandable to 64 MB) |
| Video | 640 × 480 @ 16-bit, 832 × 624 @ 8-bit |
| VRAM | 1 MB (system RAM) |
| Sound | 8-bit stereo output, 16-bit mono input |
| Disks | 1.2 GB IDE, 4X CD-ROM, 1.44 MB floppy |
| Ports | ADB, Serial × 2, SCSI, Audio I/O |
See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Macintosh Performa 5300CD Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Performa 5300CD, Low End Mac—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Macintosh Performa 5300, Apple Wiki—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Macintosh Performa 5320CD Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Macintosh Performa 5300CD: Technical Specifications, Apple Support—link(accessed 2026-02-10)