RetroTechCollection

Macintosh Quadra 800

The Macintosh Quadra 800 is a personal computer introduced by Apple Computer on February 10, 1993.[1] It was part of the Macintosh Quadra series and featured a Motorola 68040 processor running at 33 MHz with an integrated FPU. Apple also sold a server variant bundled with server software as the Workgroup Server 80.[2]

Macintosh Quadra 800
Macintosh Quadra 800
Specifications
ManufacturerApple Computer, Inc.
TypePersonal Computer
ReleasedFebruary 10, 1993
DiscontinuedMarch 14, 1994
Intro priceUS$4,679
CPUMotorola 68040 @ 33 MHz
Memory8 MB RAM (expandable to 136 MB)
Storage230 MB or 500 MB SCSI hard drive, 1.44 MB floppy, optional 2x CD-ROM
Display512x384 to 1152x870, 4-bit to 16-bit color
SoundMono audio in, stereo audio out
Dimensions14.0" H × 7.7" W × 15.75" D (35.6 × 19.6 × 40 cm)
Weight24 lbs (10.9 kg)
OS / FirmwareSystem 7.1 – Mac OS 8.1
PredecessorQuadra 700
SuccessorQuadra 840AV, Power Macintosh 8100
CodenameFridge, Wombat 33
Model no.M1206

The Quadra 800 introduced a new mini-tower case design, which was subsequently used for the Quadra 840AV, Power Macintosh 8100, 8200, and 8500. The case features four drive bays, providing more expansion options than the Quadra 700's design.[3]

The Quadra 800 was one of the first Macintosh computers to ship with a bootable CD-ROM drive.[4]

Architecture and Processor

edit

The Quadra 800 uses a Motorola 68040 processor clocked at 33 MHz. The 68040 includes an integrated FPU (floating-point unit) and 8 KB of on-chip cache. The system bus operates at 33 MHz.[5]

The Quadra 800 features interleaved memory running at 60 ns, along with an enhanced SCSI bus, enabling it to outperform the Quadra 950 despite using the same 33 MHz processor.

Memory and Storage

edit

RAM Configuration

edit

The Quadra 800 has 8 MB of RAM soldered to the logic board. Four 72-pin SIMM slots accept 60 ns SIMMs, allowing expansion to a maximum of 136 MB. The slots can be filled individually but should ideally be populated in interleaved pairs for optimal performance. Compatible SIMM sizes include 4 MB, 8 MB, 16 MB, and 32 MB modules.[6]

ROM and System Software

edit

The system contains 1 MB of ROM. The Quadra 800 requires System 7.1 with System Enabler 040 v1.0 or later. The highest supported version is Mac OS 8.1. With a PowerPC upgrade card installed, the system can run Mac OS 9.1 or A/UX.[7]

Storage Systems

edit

Standard configurations include a 230 MB or 500 MB internal SCSI hard drive and a 1.44 MB auto-inject floppy drive. Higher-end configurations include an AppleCD 300i 2x CD-ROM drive. The internal SCSI bus is faster than earlier Quadra models. A DB-25 SCSI connector on the rear panel provides external SCSI connectivity.

Display and Graphics

edit

The logic board includes 512 KB of VRAM, with two VRAM SIMM slots allowing expansion to 1 MB. Display capabilities vary based on VRAM installed:[8]

With 512 KB VRAM:

  • 512×384: 16-bit color
  • 640×480, 800×600, 832×624: 8-bit color (256 colors)
  • 1024×768, 1152×870: 4-bit color (16 colors)

With 1 MB VRAM:

  • 640×480, 800×600, 832×624: 16-bit color (thousands of colors)
  • 1024×768, 1152×870: 8-bit color (256 colors)

The Quadra 800 does not support 24-bit color through its on-board video. This was a cost-saving measure that Apple used to differentiate the 800 from the Quadra 900/950, which support 2 MB VRAM and 24-bit color. A NuBus video card can be installed to enable 24-bit color output.

Audio Capabilities

edit

The Quadra 800 includes mono audio input and stereo audio output through 3.5mm jacks on the rear panel.

Input/Output and Expansion

edit

Port Configuration

edit
  • 2× ADB ports
  • 2× DIN-8 serial ports (printer and modem)
  • 1× DB-25 SCSI port
  • 1× AAUI-15 Ethernet port (varies by region)
  • Mono audio in (3.5mm)
  • Stereo audio out (3.5mm)

Expansion

edit
  • 3× NuBus 90 slots
  • 1× 040 Processor Direct Slot (PDS)
  • 1× 5.25" external drive bay (available if no CD-ROM installed)

Design and Case

edit

The Quadra 800 introduced a mini-tower case design, positioned between the Quadra 700's smaller form factor and the full tower of the Quadra 900/950. This case was also used by the Quadra 840AV, Power Macintosh 8100, 8200, and 8500. A taller variant was used for the Power Macintosh 9500.

The case has four drive bays: one for the floppy drive and three front-accessible bays for hard drives, CD-ROM, or other devices.

RAM and VRAM upgrades require removal of the logic board, which is held in place by plastic clips. This design is considered difficult to service.[9]

edit

The Quadra 840AV shares the same case, chassis, power supply, and internal storage assemblies as the Quadra 800. However, the 840AV has different front and rear panels (with the power button moved to the front) and a different logic board featuring:

  • 40 MHz 68040 processor (vs. 33 MHz)
  • DAV slot for digital audio/video expansion
  • GeoPort serial capability
  • All RAM in SIMMs (no soldered RAM)
  • No Processor Direct Slot
  • Only one ADB port (vs. two)

General Maintenance

edit

For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, connector corrosion prevention, and voltage adjustments, refer to the dedicated Macintosh Quadra 800 General Maintenance page.

Capacitor Replacement Guide

edit

Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines for the logic board can be found on the Macintosh Quadra 800 Capacitor Replacement Guide page.

Troubleshooting

edit

A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing no power, video issues, intermittent operation, and other common problems is available on the Macintosh Quadra 800 Troubleshooting page.

Technical Details

edit

System Architecture at a Glance

edit
Sub-system Specification (Macintosh Quadra 800, February 1993)
CPU Motorola 68040 @ 33 MHz
FPU Integrated
Bus width 32-bit data • 32-bit address
System Bus 33 MHz
ROM 1 MB
RAM 8 MB onboard (expandable to 136 MB)
L1 Cache 8 KB (on-chip)
Video 512 KB – 1 MB VRAM, up to 1152×870
Sound Mono in, stereo out
Disks 1.44 MB floppy, SCSI HDD, optional CD-ROM
Ports ADB ×2, Serial ×2, SCSI, AAUI Ethernet
Expansion 3 NuBus slots, 1 PDS slot

Processor Specifications

edit
Component Specification
CPU Motorola 68040 @ 33 MHz[10]
Clock Input 66 MHz (internally divided to 33 MHz)
Data Bus 32-bit
Address Bus 32-bit
L1 Cache 8 KB
FPU Integrated

Model Configurations

edit
Order Number RAM VRAM Storage Price (USD)
M1287LL/A 8 MB 512 KB 230 MB HDD $4,679
M1288LL/A 8 MB 512 KB 500 MB HDD —
M1329LL/A 8 MB 1 MB 230 MB HDD + 2x CD-ROM —

Service Documentation

edit

The official Apple Service Source documentation for this model:

See Also

edit

References

edit
  1. ↑ Macintosh Quadra 800 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  2. ↑ Workgroup Server 80: Technical Specifications, Apple—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  3. ↑ Quadra 800, Low End Mac—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  4. ↑ Quadra 800, Low End Mac—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  5. ↑ Macintosh Quadra 800 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  6. ↑ Macintosh Quadra 800 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  7. ↑ Quadra 800, Low End Mac—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  8. ↑ Macintosh Quadra 800 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  9. ↑ Road Apples - The Quadra 800 case, Low End Mac, 1999-11-08—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
  10. ↑ Macintosh Quadra 800 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
Retrieved from "https://wiki.retrotechcollection.com/index.php?title=Macintosh_Quadra_800&oldid=9479"