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Macintosh Performa 636CD

From RetroTechCollection
Revision as of 13:40, 27 September 2026 by Josh (talk | contribs) (Apple Service Source: case width and depth were transposed across the 630 family (Apple: 16.5 in W x 12.6 in D); sound is 8-bit MONO input and 8-bit stereo output (16-bit only in CD mode), not 16-bit stereo in and out; added Apple's 45 W supply rating, 1 MB ROM, the two logic-board SIMM variants 661-0158 (36 MB) and 661-1114 (52 MB), the no-internal-SCSI statement and the slot pinouts; recorded that Apple's own volume misprints maximum power as 5 W)
Macintosh Performa 636CD
Macintosh Performa 636CD
Specifications
ManufacturerApple Computer, Inc.
TypePersonal Computer
ReleasedJuly 18, 1994
DiscontinuedFebruary 1996
Intro priceUS$1,649
CPUMotorola 68LC040 @ 33 MHz
Memory4 MB RAM (expandable to 36 MB)
Storage250 MB IDE hard drive, 2× CD-ROM, 1.44 MB floppy drive
DisplaySupports up to 832×624 at 8-bit color
Sound8-bit mono input, 8-bit stereo output (16-bit in CD mode)
Dimensions4.3" H × 16.5" W × 12.6" D (10.95 × 41.95 × 32 cm)
Weight19 lbs (8.6 kg)
OS / FirmwareSystem 7.1.2P – Mac OS 8.1
PredecessorPerforma 600CD
SuccessorPerforma 6200CD
CodenameCrusader
Model no.M3076

The Macintosh Performa 636CD is a personal computer manufactured by Apple Computer and released on July 18, 1994.[1] It is the Performa 636 with an added CD-ROM drive, sold exclusively to the higher-education market.

Target Market

Like the Performa 636, the 636CD was available only through higher-education sales channels (colleges and universities).[2]

Architecture and Processor

The Performa 636CD uses a Motorola 68LC040 processor running at 33 MHz without an integrated FPU.

Memory and Storage

The system ships with 4 MB of RAM soldered to the logic board. A single 72-pin SIMM socket allows expansion up to 36 MB total.

Storage includes:

  • 250 MB IDE hard drive
  • 2× Apple CD 300i plus CD-ROM drive
  • 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy

Display and Graphics

1 MB of dedicated DRAM for video. Supported resolutions:

  • 512×384, 640×480: 16-bit color
  • 800×600, 832×624: 8-bit color

Variants

General Maintenance

For maintenance procedures, refer to the Macintosh LC 630 General Maintenance page.

Capacitor Replacement Guide

See the Macintosh LC 630 Capacitor Replacement Guide page.

Troubleshooting

See the Macintosh LC 630 Troubleshooting page.

Service Documentation

The official Apple Service Source documentation for this model:


Apple service data

Apple's own figures for the 630 series, from the Macintosh Performa 630 Series Service Source volume hosted on this wiki.[3]

Item Apple's figure
Case Height 4.3 in. (10.95 cm), width 16.5 in. (41.95 cm), depth 12.6 in. (32 cm)
Weight Without CD-ROM 17 lb. (7.7 kg); with CD-ROM 19 lb. (8.6 kg)
Line voltage 100–240 VAC, 50–60 Hz
Maximum power 45 W, not including the monitor
ROM 1 MB
DRAM 4 MB built in, expandable to 36 MB if the logic board has one SIMM slot (part number 661-0158) or 52 MB if it has two (part number 661-1114; one ordinary slot and one single-sided slot)
Video 1 MB DRAM frame buffer; video memory cannot be expanded. Up to 16 bits per pixel on 12-, 13- and 14-inch Apple monitors, the 15-inch multiple-scan and VGA (640×480); up to 8 bits per pixel on the Apple 16-inch and SVGA (800×600)
Sound 8-bit monophonic sound input; 8-bit stereo output (16-bit in CD mode), nominally 0.5 V RMS into 39 ohms. Internal speaker muted when a plug is inserted in an output jack
Microphone Electret, omnidirectional, running on 8 VDC supplied by the sound-input port
Storage IDE hard drive. Apple states that 630-series machines do not support internal SCSI hard drives — the internal IDE interface was new to Apple with this family
Slots Processor-direct slot 114-pin (LC-compatible); communications slot 112-pin; video-in slot 60-pin; TV tuner port 10-pin
SCSI One external DB-25 port, up to six external devices

Maximum power is printed as "5 W" in the Performa 630 Series volume. The LC 630/Quadra 630/Performa 640 volume, covering the same logic board and the same chassis, prints 45 W in the same field; 5 W is an Apple typographical error and 45 W is used here.[3][4]

A PRAM battery threshold is given nowhere in either 630-series volume. Apple's symptom chart step appears as "Unplug 4.5 battery" in the LC 630 volume and "Unplug 5.4 battery" in the Performa 630 volume — for the identical instruction, in the same family. The Performa 6200/6300 volume, for the machine that replaced this one in the same chassis, prints "Unplug 4.5 V battery" with the unit spelled out, and gives replace below 3.0 V measured on the 10 V DC scale. Treat "5.4" as a transposition of 4.5, identify the pack from its own markings before buying a replacement, and neutralise any leakage with sodium bicarbonate unless the cell in front of you is marked alkaline.[3][4]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Macintosh Performa 636: Technical Specifications, Apple Inc.—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  2. ↑ Macintosh Quadra 630, Wikipedia—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Apple Computer, Macintosh Performa 630 Series, Service Source. Hosted here as Macintosh Performa 630 Series Service Source (File:Performa_630_series.pdf). Specifications chapter.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Apple Computer, LC 630/Quadra 630/Performa 640, Service Source. Hosted here as LC 630/Quadra 630/ Performa 640 Service Source (File:Quadra.lc_630.performa_640.pdf). Specifications chapter.