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Macintosh Quadra 700: Difference between revisions

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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.
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.


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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 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.


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=== Port Configuration ===
=== Port Configuration ===


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Latest revision as of 12:16, 10 February 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 RAM soldered (expandable to 68 MB via 30-pin SIMMs)
Storage1.44 MB floppy drive; 80 MB, 160 MB, or 400 MB SCSI hard drive
DisplayIntegrated video: 512×384 to 1152×870, 512 KB VRAM (expandable to 2 MB)
Sound8-bit stereo, 22 kHz
Dimensions5.5" H × 11.9" W × 14.4" D (14 × 30.2 × 36.6 cm)
Weight13.6 lbs (6.2 kg)
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

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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

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RAM Configuration

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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.

Storage Systems

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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.[3]

Display and Graphics

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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.

VRAM Maximum Resolution Color Depth
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 Quadra 900/950 and Quadra 840AV.

Audio Capabilities

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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.

Input/Output and Expansion

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Port Configuration

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Port Type Quantity Notes
Serial (DIN-8) 2 Printer and Modem ports
ADB 2 Apple Desktop Bus
SCSI (DB-25) 1 External SCSI
AAUI-15 Ethernet 1 Built-in Ethernet
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 support via the AAUI-15 connector.

Expansion Slots

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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

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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

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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

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Apple Service Manual

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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

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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

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To address plastic yellowing, detailed instructions can be found on the Retrobrite page.

Troubleshooting

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A comprehensive troubleshooting guide is available on the Macintosh Quadra 700 Troubleshooting page.

Technical Details

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System Architecture at a Glance

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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 soldered (expandable to 68 MB)
Video 512×384 to 1152×870, 512 KB – 2 MB VRAM
Sound 8-bit stereo • 22 kHz
Storage 1.44 MB floppy, 80–400 MB SCSI HDD
Networking Built-in AAUI-15 Ethernet
Ports ADB ×2, Serial ×2, SCSI, Video, Audio I/O

References

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  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. Macintosh Quadras - Power But No Pizzazz– Webster, Bruce, MacWorld, December 1991}

Service Documentation

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The official Apple Service Source documentation for this model:

See Also

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