Power Macintosh 5260
 | |
| Power Macintosh 5260 | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | All-in-one Personal Computer |
| Released | March 10, 1996 |
| Discontinued | March 1, 1997 |
| Intro price | Education only (North America) |
| CPU | PowerPC 603e @ 100–120 MHz |
| Memory | 16 MB RAM (expandable to 64 MB) |
| Storage | 800 MB–1.2 GB IDE hard drive, 1.44 MB floppy, 4X–8X CD-ROM |
| Display | Built-in 14" shadow mask CRT (640×480) |
| Sound | 16-bit stereo output; mono sound input |
| Dimensions | 17.5" H × 16.0" W × 15.1" D (445 × 406 × 383 mm) |
| Weight | 17 lb without CD-ROM, 19 lb with CD-ROM (Apple) |
| OS / Firmware | Mac OS 7.5.3 – 9.1 |
| Predecessor | Power Macintosh 5200 |
| Successor | Power Macintosh 5400 |
| Model no. | M3457 |
The Power Macintosh 5260 is an all-in-one personal computer introduced by Apple Computer on March 10, 1996.[1] It features a PowerPC 603e processor and a built-in 14" shadow mask color CRT display in a compact all-in-one case. In North America, the Power Macintosh 5260 was sold exclusively to the educational market, while the consumer version was branded as the Performa 5260CD.
Model Variants
The Power Macintosh 5260 was available in two processor configurations:
| Model | Order Number | Release | Processor | Standard RAM | Hard Drive | CD-ROM | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5260/100 | M4982LL/A | March 1996 | 100 MHz | 8–16 MB | 800 MB | 4X | Education (NA), Consumer (Asia/Australia) |
| 5260/120 | M5233LL/A | September 1996 | 120 MHz | 16 MB | 1.2 GB | 8X | Education only |
Related Models
- Performa 5260CD: Consumer version with bundled software
- Performa 5260/120: Consumer version of the 120 MHz model
Architecture and Processor
The Power Macintosh 5260 uses the PowerPC 603e processor, a low-power variant designed for cost-effective and all-in-one systems.[2]
Processor Specifications
- Processor: PowerPC 603e
- Clock Speed: 100 MHz or 120 MHz
- Architecture: 32-bit processor with 64-bit data path
- FPU: Integrated
- System Bus: 40 MHz
Cache Configuration
- L1 Cache: 32 KB (on-die)
- L2 Cache: 256 KB (optional)
ROM
- ROM Size: 4 MB
- ROM Type: Macintosh ROM
Memory and Storage
RAM Configuration
- RAM Type: 72-pin SIMM (80 ns minimum)
- RAM Slots: 2
- Standard RAM: 8–16 MB (varies by configuration)
- Maximum RAM: 64 MB
- Interleaving: Not supported
Storage Systems
- Hard Drive: 800 MB or 1.2 GB IDE
- Hard Drive Interface: IDE
- Floppy Drive: 1.44 MB 3.5" (manual eject)
- CD-ROM: 4X or 8X (varies by configuration)
Display and Graphics
The Power Macintosh 5260 features an integrated 14" shadow mask CRT display with dedicated video memory shared from system RAM.
Display Specifications
- Display Size: 14" diagonal
- Display Type: Shadow mask RGB CRT
- Resolution: 640×480
- Color Depth: 16-bit (thousands of colors)
- Video RAM: 1 MB (from system RAM)
- External Monitor: Supported via LC PDS video card
Audio Capabilities
- Audio Output: Stereo 16-bit
- Audio Input: Mono 16-bit
- Built-in Speakers: Yes
Input/Output and Expansion
Port Configuration
- Serial Ports: 2 (printer and modem)
- ADB Ports: 1× Apple Desktop Bus
- Audio: Stereo out, mono in
- Video Out: Optional (via LC PDS card)
Expansion Slots
- LC PDS Slot: 1
- Comm Slot: 1
- Video Input Slot: 1
- Video Output Slot: 1
- TV Tuner Slot: 1
Networking
- Ethernet: 10Base-T available as optional upgrade
General Maintenance
For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, connector corrosion prevention, and CRT safety procedures, refer to the dedicated Power Macintosh 5260 General Maintenance page.
Troubleshooting
A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing common issues such as power problems, startup failures, and video issues is available on the Power Macintosh 5260 Troubleshooting page.
Capacitor Replacement Guide
Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines can be found on the Power Macintosh 5260 Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Specifications
Full technical specifications are available on the Power Macintosh 5260 Specifications page.
Technical Details
System Architecture at a Glance
| Sub-system | Specification (Power Macintosh 5260, 1996–1997) |
|---|---|
| CPU | PowerPC 603e @ 100–120 MHz |
| Bus width | 32-bit processor, 64-bit data path |
| System Bus | 40 MHz |
| ROM | 4 MB |
| RAM | 8–16 MB standard (64 MB max) |
| Display | Built-in 14" CRT, 640×480 @ 16-bit |
| Video | 1 MB shared RAM |
| Sound | Stereo 16-bit output, mono input |
| Storage | 800 MB–1.2 GB IDE, 4X–8X CD-ROM |
| Expansion | LC PDS, Comm, Video I/O, TV |
Service documentation
Apple wrote a separate service manual for this machine, hosted here as Power Macintosh/Performa 5260, 5280 Series Service Source. The Power Macintosh/Performa 5200 and 5300 volume carries the qualifier "(not 5260, 5280)" on its own cover, so 5200 figures should not be read across.
Apple gives 16 MB of DRAM minimum expandable to 64 MB, 4 MB of ROM, a 256K level-2 cache, a 64-bit PowerPC bus, and a supply of 100–240 VAC at 47–63 Hz rated 240 W maximum and 4.0 A maximum for all line and load conditions, with a 40 A peak inrush. The PRAM cell threshold is replace below 3.0 V.[3]
The 240 W / 4.0 A rating is nearly double the 125 W / 2.5 A of the 5200, 5300 and 5400 volumes, which is one more reason not to treat these as the same machine.[3]
See Also
- Power Macintosh 5200
- Power Macintosh 5400
- Macintosh Performa 5260CD
Apple service data
Apple's own figures for the 5260/5280, from the Service Source volume hosted on this wiki.[4]
| Item | Apple's figure |
|---|---|
| Line voltage | 100–240 VAC, 47–63 Hz |
| Power | 240 W maximum; 4.0 A maximum and 220 W maximum for all line and load conditions |
| Case | Height 17.5 in. (445 mm), width 16 in. (406 mm), depth 15.1 in. (383 mm) |
| Weight | Without CD-ROM 17 lb.; with CD-ROM 19 lb. |
| PRAM battery | Verify on the 10 V DC scale; replace below 3.0 V |
The 5260/5280 supply is 240 W at 4.0 A against the 5200/5300's 125 W at 2.5 A in a chassis that looks the same, so the two are not interchangeable; the 5260/5280 also use a 14-inch tube where the 5200/5300 use a 15-inch one. Apple's metric weight in this volume is printed as "19 lb. (21.15 kg)", which is wrong — 19 lb is 8.6 kg — so only the pounds figures are used here.[4]
Apple's High Voltage adjustment for the 5200/5300 (29.5 V DC ± 0.1 V at the cathode of D713 or D703, set with VR501 or VR702) is marked "not for 5260, 5280" on every page, and there is no rail-voltage adjustment or tolerance table for this machine.[4]
References
- ↑ Power Macintosh 5260/100 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Power Macintosh 5260/120 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Apple Computer, Power Macintosh/Performa 5260, 5280 Series, Service Source, 216 pp, PDF distilled 25 April 1997. Hosted here as the wiki page linked above (File:powermac.perf_5260.5280.pdf). Specifications chapter, and Additional Procedures — Battery Verification where a threshold is quoted.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Apple Computer, Power Macintosh/Performa 5260, 5280 Series, Service Source. Hosted here as Power Macintosh/Performa 5260, 5280 Series Service Source (File:Powermac.perf_5260.5280.pdf). Specifications and Additional Procedures — Battery Verification chapters.