Macintosh LC
 | |
| Macintosh LC | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Personal Computer |
| Released | October 15, 1990 |
| Discontinued | March 23, 1992 |
| Intro price | US$2,499 |
| CPU | Motorola 68020 @ 16 MHz |
| Memory | 2 MB RAM (expandable to 10 MB) |
| Storage | 40 MB or 80 MB SCSI HDD, 1.44 MB SuperDrive |
| Display | 512×384 (8-bit) or 640×480 (4-bit) |
| Sound | 8-bit monophonic sound input and output (Apple's figure) |
| Dimensions | 3.0" H × 12.2" W × 15.0" D (7.7 × 31.0 × 38.2 cm) |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs (4.0 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 6.0.7 – System 7.5.5 |
| Successor | Macintosh LC II |
| Codename | Elsie |
| Model no. | M0350 |
The Macintosh LC is a low-cost Macintosh personal computer released by Apple on October 15, 1990.[1] The name "LC" stands for "low-cost color," and the machine was designed to bring color Macintosh computing to education and home markets at a more affordable price point than the Macintosh II series.[2] The internal codename "Elsie" was a phonetic play on "LC."
Architecture and Processor
[edit | edit source]The Macintosh LC uses a Motorola 68020 processor running at 16 MHz. However, the system has a significant bottleneck: the 68020's 32-bit data bus is connected through a 16-bit memory controller, effectively limiting memory bandwidth.[3] This design decision reduced costs but limited performance compared to full 32-bit implementations.
The Gestalt ID for the Macintosh LC is 19.
Memory and Storage
[edit | edit source]RAM Configuration
[edit | edit source]The LC shipped with 2 MB of RAM standard, expandable to 10 MB. Memory expansion uses two 30-pin SIMM slots, which must be populated in pairs using matching SIMMs. The machine uses 100ns or faster SIMMs.
2 MB of the total is on the board, so the two 30-pin slots are additional: 2 MB standard with the slots empty, and Apple's maximum of 10 MB is 2 MB on board plus two 4 MB SIMMs, 100 ns or faster.[4] Configuration tables that show the base 2 MB coming from a pair of 1 MB SIMMs cannot be right: that would leave no route to 10 MB.
The sound on the LC, LC II and LC III is monophonic in and out. Apple's own wording is a mono sound input and output port on a mini phono plug, and a monophonic 8-bit sound generator supplying the same signal to both channels of stereo equipment.[4] Stereo output arrives with the LC 475 and Quadra 605. A stereo input/output description on the earlier machines is wrong, and it matters when diagnosing a channel that sounds dead: on an LC, LC II or LC III both channels carry the same signal by design.
Video RAM
[edit | edit source]The LC includes 256 KB of VRAM standard, expandable to 512 KB with an optional VRAM SIMM. Video memory determines available color depth:
- 256 KB VRAM: 512×384 at 8-bit (256 colors) or 640×480 at 4-bit (16 colors)
- 512 KB VRAM: 512×384 at 8-bit or 640×480 at 8-bit
Storage Systems
[edit | edit source]Standard storage options included:
- 40 MB or 80 MB internal SCSI hard drive
- 1.4 MB Apple SuperDrive. Apple notes an optional second internal 1.4 MB floppy drive on the LC only; no other LC supports one[4]
- This drive is direct drive and has no belt. Advice to check a drive belt on an Apple 3.5-inch mechanism has been removed from Macintosh Floppy Drive Maintenance for that reason
Input/Output and Expansion
[edit | edit source]Port Configuration
[edit | edit source]- 1× Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port
- 1× External SCSI (DB-25)
- 1× monophonic audio input (mini phono plug)
- 1× monophonic audio output (mini phono plug)[4]
- 2× Serial ports (Mini DIN-8)
- 1× Video output (DA-15)
Expansion
[edit | edit source]The LC features a single LC Processor Direct Slot (LC PDS), a 96-pin expansion slot. This slot accepts LC-specific expansion cards including:
- Ethernet adapters
- Video capture cards
- Apple IIe Card (for Apple II compatibility)
Design and Form Factor
[edit | edit source]The LC introduced Apple's "pizza box" form factor—a compact, horizontally-oriented case designed to fit under a monitor. The case measures 2.9 inches high, 12.2 inches wide, and 15.3 inches deep. This form factor was used throughout the LC line and influenced subsequent compact Macintosh designs.
General Maintenance
[edit | edit source]For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, and connector care, refer to the dedicated Macintosh LC General Maintenance page.
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing common issues with the Macintosh LC is available on the Macintosh LC Troubleshooting page.
Capacitor Replacement
[edit | edit source]The Macintosh LC logic board contains 17 surface-mount electrolytic capacitors that commonly fail due to age. Detailed replacement guidelines can be found on the Macintosh LC Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Technical Details
[edit | edit source]System Specifications
[edit | edit source]| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Motorola 68020 @ 16 MHz |
| FPU | None (not supported) |
| Data Bus | 32-bit (16-bit memory controller) |
| Address Bus | 32-bit |
| System Bus | 16 MHz |
| ROM | 512 KB |
| RAM | 2 MB (max 10 MB) |
| VRAM | 256 KB, upgradable to 512 KB[4] |
| Maximum power | 50 W, not including the monitor[4] |
| Line voltage | 100–240 VAC, automatically configured; 47–63 Hz[4] |
| PRAM battery | 3.6 V ½AA lithium; Apple: replace below 3.0 V. Neutralise leakage with bicarbonate of soda, not vinegar[4] |
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Macintosh LC, Apple History—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
- ↑ Macintosh LC, Low End Mac—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
- ↑ Apple Macintosh LC Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Apple Computer, Macintosh LC Series/Quadra 605 Service Source (Macintosh LC Series/ Quadra 605 Service Source, File:Quadra_605.lc_series.pdf), Specifications chapter and Additional Procedures, Battery Replacement (below 3.0 volts, replace the battery). This volume has no Adjustments chapter, so Apple publishes no rail tolerance and no power-supply adjustment for any LC.