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P4 verification: cite Apple's own Service Source volume for this machine (hosted here) for the electrical specification and battery threshold, and link the documentation page
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| price        = US$5,700
| price        = US$5,700
| cpu          = Motorola 68040 @ 25 MHz (with integrated FPU)
| cpu          = Motorola 68040 @ 25 MHz (with integrated FPU)
| memory      = 4 MB RAM soldered (expandable to 68 MB via 30-pin SIMMs)
| memory      = 4 MB on board; Apple gives 8 MB with 1 MB SIMMs or 20 MB with 4 MB SIMMs
| storage      = 1.44 MB floppy drive; 80 MB, 160 MB, or 400 MB SCSI hard drive
| storage      = 1.44 MB floppy drive; 80 MB, 160 MB, or 400 MB SCSI hard drive
| display      = Integrated video: 512×384 to 1152×870, 512 KB VRAM (expandable to 2 MB)
| display      = Integrated video, DB-15; Apple documents 640×480 up to 8-bit and 640×870 up to 16 greys
| sound        = 8-bit stereo, 22 kHz
| sound        = 8-bit stereo sampling at 44.1 kHz, four-voice wavetable; mono input
| dimensions  = 5.5" H × 11.9" W × 14.4" D (14 × 30.2 × 36.6 cm)
| dimensions  = 5.5" H × 11.9" W × 14.4" D (14.0 × 30.2 × 36.5 cm)
| weight      = 13.6 lbs (6.2 kg)
| weight      = 14 lb (6.4 kg) with internal hard drive
| os          = System 7.0.1 – Mac OS 8.1
| os          = System 7.0.1 – Mac OS 8.1
| predecessor  = [[Macintosh IIci]]
| predecessor  = [[Macintosh IIci]]
Line 21: Line 21:
| model        = M5920
| model        = M5920
}}
}}
The '''Macintosh Quadra 700''' is a personal computer manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. and released on October 21, 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_quadra/specs/mac_quadra_700.html |title=Macintosh Quadra 700 Specs |publisher=EveryMac.com |access-date=2026-02-10}}</ref> It was introduced alongside the [[Macintosh Quadra 900|Quadra 900]] as one of the first two computers in the [[Macintosh Quadra|Quadra]] series, featuring the [[Motorola 68040]] processor with integrated FPU. The Quadra 700 was the first Macintosh offered in a mini-tower form factor, using the [[Macintosh IIcx|IIcx]]/[[Macintosh IIci|IIci]] case oriented vertically.
The '''Macintosh Quadra 700''' is a personal computer manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. and released on October 21, 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_quadra/specs/mac_quadra_700.html |title=Macintosh Quadra 700 Specs |publisher=EveryMac.com |access-date=2026-02-10}}</ref> It was introduced alongside the [[Macintosh Quadra 900|Quadra 900]] as one of the first two computers in the Quadra series, featuring the Motorola 68040 processor with integrated FPU. The Quadra 700 was the first Macintosh offered in a mini-tower form factor, using the [[Macintosh IIcx|IIcx]]/[[Macintosh IIci|IIci]] case oriented vertically.


The Quadra 700 uses tantalum capacitors on its logic board rather than the electrolytic capacitors found in most other Macintosh models of the era, making it less susceptible to capacitor leakage issues.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/12/it-still-runs-on-your-imagination-passing-2020-time-with-a-macintosh-quadra-700/ |title=Working from home at 25MHz: You could do worse than a Quadra 700 |publisher=Ars Technica |date=December 11, 2020 |access-date=2026-02-10}}</ref>
The Quadra 700 uses tantalum capacitors on its logic board rather than the electrolytic capacitors found in most other Macintosh models of the era, making it less susceptible to capacitor leakage issues.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/12/it-still-runs-on-your-imagination-passing-2020-time-with-a-macintosh-quadra-700/ |title=Working from home at 25MHz: You could do worse than a Quadra 700 |publisher=Ars Technica |date=December 11, 2020 |access-date=2026-02-10}}</ref>
Line 50: Line 50:
=== RAM Configuration ===
=== RAM Configuration ===


The Quadra 700 has 4 MB of RAM soldered to the logic board with four 30-pin SIMM slots for expansion. SIMMs must be installed in matched groups of four. Maximum RAM capacity is 68 MB using four 16 MB SIMMs plus the 4 MB soldered RAM. SIMMs must be 80 ns or faster.
The Quadra 700 has 4 MB of RAM on the logic board with four 30-pin SIMM sockets for expansion, filled in
matched groups of four. '''Apple's published ceiling is 8 MB with 1 MB SIMMs, or 20 MB with third-party 4 MB
SIMMs''' &mdash; those were the largest parts available when the volume was written.<ref name="ssmacintoshiicxiic" /> In practice the
four sockets take 16 MB SIMMs for '''68 MB''' with the 4 MB on board, which is the figure the machine is
usually quoted at; both numbers are given here because the lower one is Apple's.


=== Storage Systems ===
=== Storage Systems ===


The Quadra 700 includes a 1.44 MB SuperDrive (auto-inject floppy) and supports internal SCSI hard drives. Available configurations included 80 MB, 160 MB, and 400 MB hard drives. The system uses the NCR 53C96 SCSI controller, providing data transfer rates up to 4 MB/sec.<ref>{{cite book |author=Webster, Bruce |title=Macintosh Quadras - Power But No Pizzazz |publisher=MacWorld |date=December 1991}}</ref>
The Quadra 700 includes a 1.44 MB SuperDrive (auto-inject floppy) and supports internal SCSI hard drives. Available configurations included 80 MB, 160 MB, and 400 MB hard drives. Apple's volume gives no SCSI transfer rate for this machine, and a 4 MB/s figure formerly published here could not be traced to a source; it has been removed.


== Display and Graphics ==
== Display and Graphics ==


The Quadra 700 features integrated video with 512 KB of VRAM soldered to the logic board. Six VRAM SIMM slots accept 256 KB 100 ns VRAM SIMMs for expansion to 2 MB total.
The Quadra 700 has integrated video on a DB-15 connector. '''Apple's Service Source volume gives no VRAM
 
capacity for this machine and no VRAM/resolution table''': the only built-in-video entry it carries, shared
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%"
between the IIci and the Quadra 700, is support for '''640 × 480 screens at up to 256 colours or shades of
|-
grey (up to 8 bits per pixel)''' and '''640 × 870 screens at up to 16 shades of grey'''. A VRAM/depth table
! VRAM !! Maximum Resolution !! Color Depth
formerly published here — six VRAM SIMM slots, 2 MB total, 24-bit colour at 832×624 — is not in the volume
|-
and could not be matched to any Apple document, so it has been removed rather than corrected.<ref name="ssmacintoshiicxiic" />
| 512 KB || 1152×870 || 4-bit (16 colors)
|-
| 512 KB || 832×624 || 8-bit (256 colors)
|-
| 2 MB || 1152×870 || 8-bit (256 colors)
|-
| 2 MB || 832×624 || 24-bit (Millions)
|}
 
24-bit color at 832×624 was a capability shared only with the [[Macintosh Quadra 900|Quadra 900]]/[[Macintosh Quadra 950|950]] and [[Macintosh Quadra 840AV|Quadra 840AV]].


== Audio Capabilities ==
== Audio Capabilities ==


The Quadra 700 provides 8-bit stereo audio output at 22 kHz with mono audio input. Ports include a stereo 3.5mm audio output jack and mono 3.5mm audio input jack.
Apple's sound generator entry is '''8-bit stereo sampling at 44.1 kHz''' with '''four-voice wavetable synthesis''', capable of driving stereo headphones or other stereo equipment through the sound jack.<ref name="ssmacintoshiicxiic" /> The 22 kHz figure formerly published here is the compact-Macintosh rate, not this machine's.


== Input/Output and Expansion ==
== Input/Output and Expansion ==
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| SCSI (DB-25) || 1 || External SCSI
| SCSI (DB-25) || 1 || External SCSI
|-
|-
| AAUI-15 Ethernet || 1 || Built-in Ethernet
| AUI-15 Ethernet || 1 || Built-in Ethernet, AUI-15 connector (an external transceiver is needed for 10BASE-T or thin coax)
|-
|-
| Video (DB-15) || 1 || Onboard video output
| Video (DB-15) || 1 || Onboard video output
Line 102: Line 96:
|}
|}


The Quadra 700 and [[Macintosh Quadra 900|Quadra 900]] were the first Macintosh models with built-in Ethernet support via the AAUI-15 connector.
The Quadra 700 and [[Macintosh Quadra 900|Quadra 900]] were the first Macintosh models with built-in Ethernet. Apple's specification names the connector as '''AUI-15''', not the AAUI connector introduced on later machines &mdash; the two are not interchangeable and need different transceivers.


=== Expansion Slots ===
=== Expansion Slots ===
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| '''ROM''' || 1 MB
| '''ROM''' || 1 MB
|-
|-
| '''RAM''' || 4 MB soldered (expandable to 68 MB)
| '''RAM''' || 4 MB on board; Apple: to 8 MB (1 MB SIMMs) or 20 MB (4 MB SIMMs); 68 MB with 16 MB SIMMs
|-
|-
| '''Video''' || 512×384 to 1152×870, 512 KB – 2 MB VRAM
| '''Video''' || Built-in DB-15; Apple: 640×480 up to 8-bit, 640×870 up to 16 greys
|-
|-
| '''Sound''' || 8-bit stereo • 22 kHz
| '''Sound''' || 8-bit stereo sampling at 44.1 kHz, four-voice wavetable
|-
|-
| '''Storage''' || 1.44 MB floppy, 80–400 MB SCSI HDD
| '''Storage''' || 1.44 MB floppy, 80–400 MB SCSI HDD
|-
|-
| '''Networking''' || Built-in AAUI-15 Ethernet
| '''Networking''' || Built-in Ethernet, AUI-15 connector
|-
|-
| '''Ports''' || ADB ×2, Serial ×2, SCSI, Video, Audio I/O
| '''Ports''' || ADB ×2, Serial ×2, SCSI, Video, Audio I/O
|}
|}


== References ==
== Apple service data ==
<references />


== Service documentation ==
Apple's own figures, from the ''Macintosh IIcx/IIci/Quadra 700'' Service Source volume hosted on this
wiki.<ref name="ssmacintoshiicxiic">Apple Computer, ''Macintosh IIcx/IIci/Quadra 700'', Service Source, 79 pp, PDF distilled 22 November 1995. Hosted here as [[Macintosh IIcx/IIci/ Quadra 700 Service Source]] ([[:File:Quadra_700.mac_iicx.iici.pdf]]). Specifications chapter, and Additional Procedures &mdash; Battery Verification.</ref>


Apple's own service manual is hosted here as
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[Macintosh IIcx/IIci/ Quadra 700 Service Source]], shared with the Macintosh IIcx and IIci. It gives
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:90%;"
the Quadra 700's supply as '''130 W''' peak and '''90 W''' continuous, excluding the monitor
! Item !! Apple's figure for the Quadra 700
(the IIcx and IIci are 90 W), on a '''100–240 VAC''' automatically configured input at 50–60 Hz, and
|-
the PRAM cell threshold as '''replace below 2.8 V'''.<ref name="ssmacintoshiicxiic">Apple Computer, ''Macintosh IIcx/IIci/Quadra 700'', Service Source, 79 pp, PDF distilled 22 November 1995. Hosted here as the wiki page linked above ([[:File:quadra_700.mac_iicx.iici.pdf]]). Specifications chapter, and Additional Procedures — Battery Verification where a threshold is quoted.</ref>
| Processor || Motorola 68040 at 25 MHz with built-in floating-point unit
|-
| RAM || 4 MB, expandable to 8 MB with 80 ns 1 MB SIMMs, or 20 MB with third-party 4 MB SIMMs
|-
| ROM || 1 MB soldered on the logic board, with a '''ROM SIMM socket available'''
|-
| Hard drive || Internal 80, 160 or 400 MB
|-
| Expansion || '''Two NuBus slots and one processor-direct slot'''
|-
| Ethernet || Built-in, '''AUI-15''' connector
|-
| Sound || Apple sound chip, '''8-bit stereo sampling at 44.1 kHz''', four-voice wavetable synthesis
|-
| Built-in video || 640 × 480 at up to 8 bits per pixel; 640 × 870 at up to 16 shades of grey
|-
| Electrical || 100–240 VAC automatically configured, 50–60 Hz single phase
|-
| Maximum power || '''130 W''' peak, '''90 W continuous''', not including the monitor (the IIcx and IIci are 90 W)
|-
| Case || Height 5.5 in. (14.0 cm), width 11.9 in. (30.2 cm), depth 14.4 in. (36.5 cm)
|-
| Weight || '''14 lb. (6.4 kg)''' with internal hard drive
|-
| PRAM battery || '''Replace below 2.8 V'''. A lithium cell &mdash; neutralise leakage with '''sodium bicarbonate''', never vinegar
|}


The volume also documents the '''IIci → Quadra 700 logic board swap''' as an Apple-sanctioned
The volume also documents the '''Macintosh IIci to Quadra 700 logic board swap''' as an Apple-sanctioned
upgrade, along with the Power Macintosh Upgrade Card.<ref name="ssmacintoshiicxiic" />
upgrade through the processor-direct slot, alongside the Power Macintosh Upgrade Card.<ref name="ssmacintoshiicxiic" />


<pdf width="800" height="500">File:Quadra_700.mac_iicx.iici.pdf</pdf>
This volume has '''no Adjustments chapter''' &mdash; there is no rail-voltage procedure and no
rail-tolerance table for this machine.<ref name="ssmacintoshiicxiic" />


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
Line 191: Line 211:
* [[Macintosh IIci]]
* [[Macintosh IIci]]
* [[Macintosh IIcx]]
* [[Macintosh IIcx]]
== References ==
<references />


[[Category:Apple Vintage Computers]]
[[Category:Apple Vintage Computers]]
[[Category:Macintosh Quadra]]
[[Category:Macintosh Quadra]]

Latest revision as of 14:13, 27 September 2026

Macintosh Quadra 700
Macintosh Quadra 700
Specifications
ManufacturerApple Computer, Inc.
TypePersonal Computer
ReleasedOctober 21, 1991
DiscontinuedMarch 15, 1993
Intro priceUS$5,700
CPUMotorola 68040 @ 25 MHz (with integrated FPU)
Memory4 MB on board; Apple gives 8 MB with 1 MB SIMMs or 20 MB with 4 MB SIMMs
Storage1.44 MB floppy drive; 80 MB, 160 MB, or 400 MB SCSI hard drive
DisplayIntegrated video, DB-15; Apple documents 640×480 up to 8-bit and 640×870 up to 16 greys
Sound8-bit stereo sampling at 44.1 kHz, four-voice wavetable; mono input
Dimensions5.5" H × 11.9" W × 14.4" D (14.0 × 30.2 × 36.5 cm)
Weight14 lb (6.4 kg) with internal hard drive
OS / FirmwareSystem 7.0.1 – Mac OS 8.1
PredecessorMacintosh IIci
SuccessorMacintosh Quadra 800, Centris 650
CodenameShadow, IIce
Model no.M5920

The Macintosh Quadra 700 is a personal computer manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. and released on October 21, 1991.[1] It was introduced alongside the Quadra 900 as one of the first two computers in the Quadra series, featuring the Motorola 68040 processor with integrated FPU. The Quadra 700 was the first Macintosh offered in a mini-tower form factor, using the IIcx/IIci case oriented vertically.

The Quadra 700 uses tantalum capacitors on its logic board rather than the electrolytic capacitors found in most other Macintosh models of the era, making it less susceptible to capacitor leakage issues.[2]

Architecture and Processor

[edit | edit source]

The Quadra 700 is powered by a Motorola 68040 processor running at 25 MHz. The clock oscillator runs at 50 MHz internally. The 68040 includes an integrated floating-point unit (FPU) and 8 KB of on-chip cache. The system bus operates at 25 MHz.

Component Specification
CPU Motorola 68040 @ 25 MHz
FPU Integrated in 68040
L1 Cache 8 KB (on-chip)
System Bus 25 MHz
ROM 1 MB
Gestalt ID 22

Memory and Storage

[edit | edit source]

RAM Configuration

[edit | edit source]

The Quadra 700 has 4 MB of RAM on the logic board with four 30-pin SIMM sockets for expansion, filled in matched groups of four. Apple's published ceiling is 8 MB with 1 MB SIMMs, or 20 MB with third-party 4 MB SIMMs — those were the largest parts available when the volume was written.[3] In practice the four sockets take 16 MB SIMMs for 68 MB with the 4 MB on board, which is the figure the machine is usually quoted at; both numbers are given here because the lower one is Apple's.

Storage Systems

[edit | edit source]

The Quadra 700 includes a 1.44 MB SuperDrive (auto-inject floppy) and supports internal SCSI hard drives. Available configurations included 80 MB, 160 MB, and 400 MB hard drives. Apple's volume gives no SCSI transfer rate for this machine, and a 4 MB/s figure formerly published here could not be traced to a source; it has been removed.

Display and Graphics

[edit | edit source]

The Quadra 700 has integrated video on a DB-15 connector. Apple's Service Source volume gives no VRAM capacity for this machine and no VRAM/resolution table: the only built-in-video entry it carries, shared between the IIci and the Quadra 700, is support for 640 × 480 screens at up to 256 colours or shades of grey (up to 8 bits per pixel) and 640 × 870 screens at up to 16 shades of grey. A VRAM/depth table formerly published here — six VRAM SIMM slots, 2 MB total, 24-bit colour at 832×624 — is not in the volume and could not be matched to any Apple document, so it has been removed rather than corrected.[3]

Audio Capabilities

[edit | edit source]

Apple's sound generator entry is 8-bit stereo sampling at 44.1 kHz with four-voice wavetable synthesis, capable of driving stereo headphones or other stereo equipment through the sound jack.[3] The 22 kHz figure formerly published here is the compact-Macintosh rate, not this machine's.

Input/Output and Expansion

[edit | edit source]

Port Configuration

[edit | edit source]
Port Type Quantity Notes
Serial (DIN-8) 2 Printer and Modem ports
ADB 2 Apple Desktop Bus
SCSI (DB-25) 1 External SCSI
AUI-15 Ethernet 1 Built-in Ethernet, AUI-15 connector (an external transceiver is needed for 10BASE-T or thin coax)
Video (DB-15) 1 Onboard video output
Audio Out 1 3.5mm stereo
Audio In 1 3.5mm mono

The Quadra 700 and Quadra 900 were the first Macintosh models with built-in Ethernet. Apple's specification names the connector as AUI-15, not the AAUI connector introduced on later machines — the two are not interchangeable and need different transceivers.

Expansion Slots

[edit | edit source]

The Quadra 700 provides two NuBus slots and one Processor Direct Slot (PDS). Using a PDS card will block access to one NuBus slot due to the compact case design.

Design and Features

[edit | edit source]

The Quadra 700 case is the IIcx/IIci enclosure oriented vertically as a mini-tower. The front bezel was redesigned with vertical orientation in mind, including repositioned Apple logo and model name. This tower form factor addressed the issue of heavy CRT monitors potentially crushing horizontal desktop cases.

The case shares dimensions with the IIcx and IIci, allowing users of those systems to upgrade their hardware while reusing existing cases and configurations.

General Maintenance

[edit | edit source]

For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, and connector care, refer to the dedicated Macintosh Quadra 700 General Maintenance page.

PCB Schematics & Service Manual

[edit | edit source]

Apple Service Manual

[edit | edit source]

The Quadra 700 shares its service manual with the Macintosh IIcx and Macintosh IIci. All Apple Service Manuals can be found on the Apple Service Source page.

Capacitor Replacement Guide

[edit | edit source]

The Quadra 700 logic board uses tantalum capacitors rather than electrolytic capacitors, making it significantly less prone to capacitor failure and leakage compared to other Macintosh models of the era. The power supply may still contain electrolytic capacitors that could require replacement.

For detailed information, see the Macintosh Quadra 700 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 is available on the Macintosh Quadra 700 Troubleshooting page.

Technical Details

[edit | edit source]

System Architecture at a Glance

[edit | edit source]
Sub-system Specification (Macintosh Quadra 700, 1991)
CPU Motorola 68040 @ 25 MHz (with integrated FPU)
Bus width 32-bit data • 32-bit address
ROM 1 MB
RAM 4 MB on board; Apple: to 8 MB (1 MB SIMMs) or 20 MB (4 MB SIMMs); 68 MB with 16 MB SIMMs
Video Built-in DB-15; Apple: 640×480 up to 8-bit, 640×870 up to 16 greys
Sound 8-bit stereo sampling at 44.1 kHz, four-voice wavetable
Storage 1.44 MB floppy, 80–400 MB SCSI HDD
Networking Built-in Ethernet, AUI-15 connector
Ports ADB ×2, Serial ×2, SCSI, Video, Audio I/O

Apple service data

[edit | edit source]

Apple's own figures, from the Macintosh IIcx/IIci/Quadra 700 Service Source volume hosted on this wiki.[3]

Item Apple's figure for the Quadra 700
Processor Motorola 68040 at 25 MHz with built-in floating-point unit
RAM 4 MB, expandable to 8 MB with 80 ns 1 MB SIMMs, or 20 MB with third-party 4 MB SIMMs
ROM 1 MB soldered on the logic board, with a ROM SIMM socket available
Hard drive Internal 80, 160 or 400 MB
Expansion Two NuBus slots and one processor-direct slot
Ethernet Built-in, AUI-15 connector
Sound Apple sound chip, 8-bit stereo sampling at 44.1 kHz, four-voice wavetable synthesis
Built-in video 640 × 480 at up to 8 bits per pixel; 640 × 870 at up to 16 shades of grey
Electrical 100–240 VAC automatically configured, 50–60 Hz single phase
Maximum power 130 W peak, 90 W continuous, not including the monitor (the IIcx and IIci are 90 W)
Case Height 5.5 in. (14.0 cm), width 11.9 in. (30.2 cm), depth 14.4 in. (36.5 cm)
Weight 14 lb. (6.4 kg) with internal hard drive
PRAM battery Replace below 2.8 V. A lithium cell — neutralise leakage with sodium bicarbonate, never vinegar

The volume also documents the Macintosh IIci to Quadra 700 logic board swap as an Apple-sanctioned upgrade through the processor-direct slot, alongside the Power Macintosh Upgrade Card.[3]

This volume has no Adjustments chapter — there is no rail-voltage procedure and no rail-tolerance table for this machine.[3]

See Also

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ Macintosh Quadra 700 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  2. ↑ Working from home at 25MHz: You could do worse than a Quadra 700, Ars Technica, December 11, 2020—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Apple Computer, Macintosh IIcx/IIci/Quadra 700, Service Source, 79 pp, PDF distilled 22 November 1995. Hosted here as Macintosh IIcx/IIci/ Quadra 700 Service Source (File:Quadra_700.mac_iicx.iici.pdf). Specifications chapter, and Additional Procedures — Battery Verification.
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