Macintosh Performa 5270CD
 | |
| Macintosh Performa 5270CD | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | All-in-one Personal Computer |
| Released | April 22, 1996 |
| Discontinued | February 1, 1997 |
| CPU | PowerPC 603e @ 100 MHz |
| Memory | 16 MB RAM minimum, expandable to 64 MB (Apple's figure) |
| Storage | 1.2 GB IDE hard drive, 4X CD-ROM |
| Display | 14" Shadow Mask CRT (640×480 at 16-bit color) |
| Sound | 16-bit monophonic input, 16-bit stereo output at nominally 0.5 V RMS into 39 Ω; internal speakers deliver 16-bit stereo (Apple's figures) |
| Dimensions | 17.5" H × 16.0" W × 15.1" D (445 × 406 × 383 mm) |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 7.5.3 – Mac OS 9.1 |
| Predecessor | Performa 5200CD |
| Successor | Performa 5400CD |
| Model no. | M4796J/A |
The Macintosh Performa 5270CD is an all-in-one personal computer manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc., introduced on April 22, 1996.[1] It is identical to the Performa 5260CD but was marketed specifically for Asian and European markets under a different model designation.
The Performa 5270CD features a 100 MHz PowerPC 603e processor with a 1.2 GB hard drive and 4X CD-ROM drive, housed in the same all-in-one chassis as its predecessor, the Performa 5200CD. The educational version, the Power Macintosh 5260/100, was sold in North America and also to the consumer market in Asia and Australia.[2]
Differences from Performa 5260CD
The Performa 5270CD is functionally identical to the Performa 5260CD with the same specifications. The only differences are:
- Market: Sold exclusively in Asia and Europe
- Model Number: M4796J/A (Japan)
- Software Bundle: Region-specific bundled software
Architecture and Processor
The Performa 5270CD uses the PowerPC 603e processor running at 100 MHz with a 40 MHz system bus.[3] The 603e is a 32-bit processor with a 64-bit data path and includes an integrated floating-point unit.
Cache Configuration
- L1 Cache: 32 KB (16 KB instruction + 16 KB data)
- L2 Cache: 256 KB (optional expansion slot)
Memory and Storage
RAM Configuration
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| RAM Type | 72-pin SIMM |
| Minimum Speed | 80 ns |
| Standard RAM | 8 MB |
| Maximum RAM | 64 MB |
| RAM Slots | 2 |
RAM cannot be interleaved on this system. 1 MB of system RAM is permanently dedicated to video function.
Storage Systems
- Hard Drive: 1.2 GB IDE internal drive
- Floppy Drive: 1.44 MB 3.5" manual-inject
- CD-ROM: 4X
Display and Graphics
The Performa 5270CD features a built-in 14" Shadow Mask RGB CRT display running at 640×480 resolution with 16-bit color. Video memory consists of 1 MB dedicated from system RAM and cannot be expanded.
Input/Output and Expansion
Port Configuration
- ADB: 1 port for keyboard and mouse
- Serial: 2 ports (printer and modem)
- Audio In: 1 port (16-bit mono)
- Audio Out: 1 port (stereo)
- SCSI: 1 external DB-25 port
Expansion Slots
- LC PDS: 1 slot
- Comm Slot: 1 slot
- Video I/O Slot: 1 slot
- TV Tuner Slot: 1 slot
General Maintenance
For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, connector corrosion prevention, and voltage adjustments, refer to the dedicated Macintosh Performa 5260CD General Maintenance page.
Capacitor Replacement Guide
Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines for the logic board can be found on the Macintosh Performa 5260CD Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Troubleshooting
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 5260CD Troubleshooting page.
Technical Details
System Architecture at a Glance
| Sub-system | Specification (Performa 5270CD, April 1996) |
|---|---|
| CPU | PowerPC 603e @ 100 MHz |
| System Bus | 40 MHz |
| ROM | 4 MB |
| RAM | 8-64 MB (72-pin SIMM) |
| Video | 640 × 480 @ 16-bit color |
| VRAM | 1 MB (from system RAM) |
| Sound | 16-bit mono input, stereo output |
| Disks | 1.44 MB floppy, 1.2 GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM |
| Ports | ADB, SCSI, Serial × 2, Audio I/O |
See Also
- Macintosh Performa 5260CD — Base model (worldwide)
- Macintosh Performa 5280 — 120 MHz variant (Japan)
Apple's chassis, electrical and environmental figures
- CPU PowerPC 603e at 100 MHz, 64-bit PowerPC bus; ROM 4 MB; 256K level 2 cache; 1 MB DRAM frame buffer on board for video
- DRAM 16 MB minimum, expandable to 64 MB (72-pin, 80 ns or faster). An 8 MB figure circulates for this machine; that is the 5200 and 5300 minimum, not this family's[4]
- Dimensions 17.5 in (445 mm) H × 16 in (406 mm) W × 15.1 in (383 mm) D. Several pages on this wiki had the width and depth transposed
- Line voltage 100–240 VAC; frequency 47–63 Hz; power 240 W maximum
- Surge voltage 300 V rms for 100 ms; peak inrush current 40 A pk; current 4.0 A maximum for all line and load conditions; 220 W maximum for all line and load conditions[4]
- Operating 10–40 °C; transit (72 h) −40 to +65 °C; storage (6 months) −40 to +47 °C; humidity 20–95 % non-condensing; altitude 0–10,000 ft
- PRAM battery 3.6 V ½AA lithium; Apple: replace below 3.0 V. Neutralise lithium leakage with bicarbonate of soda, not vinegar[4]
Apple's own weight figure for this chassis is internally contradictory and should not be quoted. It prints "Without CD-ROM: 17 lb. With CD-ROM: 19 lb. (21.15 kg)" — 19 lb is 8.6 kg, not 21.15 kg, and 17/19 lb is what the LC 630 volume gives for a much smaller machine. The 21 kg / ~47 lb figure is the plausible one for a 15-inch all-in-one, and that is what this page carries, but it is flagged rather than presented as Apple's.
Apple's built-in display figures for the 5260 and 5280: 14-inch shadow mask, 12.8-inch viewable; dot pitch 0.28 mm; vertical frequency 66.7 Hz; active raster 9.5 × 7.3 in; white point 9,300 K; shipping brightness 25 foot-lamberts; aluminised P22 phosphor. Apple gives one video mode: 640 × 480 at 16-bit colour. Note the 14-inch tube — the 5200 and 5300 are 15-inch, and the two families are otherwise very similar.
There is no high-voltage adjustment for this family. Apple publishes one for the 5200 and 5300 and marks every page of it "not for 5260, 5280". The Adjustments chapter here is Geometry and Video only, and Apple publishes no rail tolerance and no power-supply adjustment. The "+5 V 4.85–5.15 V / +12 V 11.90–12.75 V" pair that circulates on this wiki is Apple's Macintosh Plus and 128K/512K procedure with voltage test cable 077-0135.[4]
Note also the different supply rating. Apple gives this family 240 W and 4.0 A maximum against 125 W and 2.5 A for the 5200 and 5300, in the same-looking chassis — so a 5200-series supply is not a drop-in for a 5260.
References
- ↑ Apple Macintosh Performa 5270CD Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Power Macintosh 5260, Wikipedia—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Apple Macintosh Performa 5270CD Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Apple Computer, Power Macintosh/Performa 5260, 5280 Series Service Source (Power Macintosh/Performa 5260, 5280 Series Service Source, File:Powermac.perf_5260.5280.pdf), Specifications, Adjustments (Geometry, Video) and Additional Procedures, Battery Verification (below 3.0 V, replace the battery).