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Macintosh IIvx

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Macintosh IIvx
Macintosh IIvx
Specifications
ManufacturerApple Computer, Inc.
TypeDesktop Personal Computer
ReleasedOctober 19, 1992
DiscontinuedOctober 21, 1993
Intro priceUS$2,950 – $3,550
CPUMotorola 68030 @ 32 MHz
Memory4–5 MB RAM onboard (expandable to 68 MB)
Storage40 MB, 80 MB, or 230 MB SCSI hard drive
DisplayDB-15 video, 640×480 @ 16-bit (1 MB VRAM)
Sound8-bit stereo output, mono input
FPU / coprocessorMotorola 68882 @ 32 MHz
Dimensions6.0" H × 13.0" W × 16.5" D (15.2 × 33 × 41.9 cm)
Weight25 lbs (11.3 kg)
OS / FirmwareSystem 7.1 – Mac OS 7.6.1
PredecessorMacintosh IIci
SuccessorMacintosh Centris 650
Model no.M1350

The Macintosh IIvx is a desktop personal computer manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. from October 1992 to October 1993.[1] The IIvx was the last of the Macintosh II family and the first Macintosh to accommodate an internal CD-ROM drive.[2]

The IIvx was introduced alongside the slower Macintosh IIvi. Both models use the same high-profile desktop case. The consumer version, the Performa 600, was based on the same architecture.[3]

Development History

The IIvx began as a proof-of-concept to demonstrate how an internal CD-ROM drive could be added to a Macintosh. After Apple CEO John Sculley announced a Mac with CD-ROM at MacWorld Tokyo, the IIvx was rushed into production with several design compromises.[4]

Apple originally intended the IIvx to be the first Macintosh Centris, but trademark clearance was not completed in time. The Centris name debuted a few months later with 68040-based models.

Architecture and Processor

The Macintosh IIvx uses a Motorola MC68030 microprocessor running at 32 MHz, paired with a Motorola 68882 FPU.[5]

  • Clock Speed: 32 MHz
  • Bus Speed: 16 MHz
  • Data Path: 32-bit
  • L1 Cache: 0.5 KB (on-chip)
  • L2 Cache: 32 KB
  • FPU: Motorola 68882 @ 32 MHz (included)

The 32 MHz CPU runs on a 16 MHz bus, which limits performance. The IIvx is slightly slower than the older Macintosh IIci in many benchmarks despite the higher clock speed.[6] Apple's specification for the serial ports is 230.4 Kbaud maximum, or 0.92 Mbit/s with an external clock source[7]. A 57.6 kbit/s limit was previously stated here and is not Apple's figure; the MIDI difficulty on these machines is a clocking problem rather than a ceiling on the port's rate, and no source for a specific number has been found.

The 32K L2 cache distinguishes the IIvx from the IIvi and Performa 600, which lack L2 cache.

Memory

RAM Configuration

  • Onboard RAM: 4 MB or 5 MB (depending on configuration)
  • SIMM Slots: 4 × 30-pin
  • SIMM Speed: 80 ns minimum
  • Maximum RAM: 68 MB (4 MB onboard + 64 MB in SIMMs)
  • SIMM Installation: Four identical SIMMs must be installed as a group

ROM

  • ROM Size: 1 MB
  • ROM Type: Macintosh ROM

VRAM

  • Standard VRAM: 512 KB or 1 MB (depending on configuration)
  • Maximum VRAM: 1 MB (two 512 KB VRAMs)
  • VRAM Slots: 2 × VRAM SIMM slots
  • VRAM Speed: 100 ns

Video

  • Video Output: DB-15 connector
  • Maximum Resolution: 640 × 480 pixels
  • Color Depth (512K VRAM): 8-bit (256 colors) at 640×480, 16-bit at 512×384
  • Color Depth (1 MB VRAM): 16-bit (thousands) at 640×480

Additional displays can be connected via NuBus video cards.

Storage

Hard Drive

  • Interface: SCSI (DB-25 external connector)
  • Standard Capacities: 40 MB, 80 MB, or 230 MB

Floppy Drive

  • Drive Type: Apple SuperDrive (1.44 MB)
  • Auto-inject: Yes

CD-ROM Drive

  • Type: 2X internal (optional, standard on M1373LL/A configuration)
  • Bay: Front-accessible 5.25" bay

The IIvx was the first Macintosh to offer an internal CD-ROM drive option.

Input/Output and Expansion

Ports

  • ADB Ports: 2 (Apple Desktop Bus)
  • Serial Ports: 2 × Mini DIN-8 RS-422 (Printer and Modem) — limited to 57.6 kbit/s
  • SCSI Port: DB-25 connector
  • Video Port: DB-15 connector
  • Audio Output: 3.5 mm stereo jack
  • Audio Input: 3.5 mm mono jack

Expansion Slots

  • NuBus slots: 3, plus what Apple calls an accelerator slot (not a general-purpose PDS)[7]
  • Processor Direct Slot (PDS): 1
  • Expansion Bay: 1 × 5.25" (for CD-ROM)

Power

Power — Apple's figures, and the trap in them

Apple's Electrical specification for the IIvi, IIvx and Performa 600 is in three parts, and they are easy to conflate:[7]

  • A/C line input: 100–120 VAC, 200 W
  • A/C line output receptacle: 100–240 VAC, 3 A maximum — this is the switched monitor
 outlet on the back, not the machine's own input
  • DC power: 112 W maximum

"Input voltage 100–240 V AC" was previously given here. That is the output receptacle's rating. Apple prints the machine's own line input as 100–120 VAC — a domestic figure — so a 220–240 V IIvx is a different supply, and its primary-side parts are not interchangeable with a 110 V one. Check which board is in front of you before ordering primary-side capacitors.

"230 W maximum" was also previously given here and is not Apple's figure for any part of this machine: 200 W is the AC input rating and 112 W the DC output. 230 W is the Macintosh IIfx figure.

Apple publishes no rail tolerance and no power-supply adjustment for this machine.

Battery

3.6 V ½AA lithium; Apple's instruction is to replace it below 2.8 V[7] — measured on the 10 V DC range. 2.8 V is the IIcx / IIci / IIvi / IIvx / Quadra 700 / SE / SE-30 figure; 3.0 V and 3.2 V belong to other machines and get transplanted between them. Lithium leakage is neutralised with bicarbonate of soda, not vinegar.


Case Design

The IIvx uses a high-profile desktop case shared with the Macintosh IIvi, Performa 600, Macintosh Centris 650, Macintosh Quadra 650, and Power Macintosh 7100. The case design continued through the PowerPC era. The logic board can be swapped with a Centris/Quadra 650 board for an upgrade.[8]

  • Dimensions: 6.0" H × 13.0" W × 16.5" D (15.2 × 33 × 41.9 cm)
  • Weight: 25 lbs (11.3 kg)

General Maintenance

Common maintenance concerns include capacitor leakage, PRAM battery failure, and power supply issues.

For cleaning, battery maintenance, and inspection procedures, see the Macintosh IIvx General Maintenance page.

Capacitor Replacement Guide

The Macintosh IIvx logic board contains surface-mount electrolytic capacitors that leak over time.

For capacitor specifications and procedures, see the Macintosh IIvx Capacitor Replacement Guide.

Troubleshooting

Common issues include startup failures, video problems, slow serial ports, and SCSI errors.

For diagnostics, see the Macintosh IIvx Troubleshooting page.

Technical Specifications

Sub-system Specification (Macintosh IIvx, October 1992)
CPU Motorola 68030 @ 32 MHz
FPU Motorola 68882 @ 32 MHz (included)
Bus Speed 16 MHz
ROM 1 MB
RAM 4–5 MB onboard + 4 × 30-pin SIMM slots (68 MB max)
L1 Cache 0.5 KB (on-chip)
L2 Cache 32 KB
Video 640 × 480 @ 8-bit (512K VRAM), 16-bit with 1 MB
Sound 8-bit stereo output, mono input
Storage 40/80/230 MB SCSI HDD, 1.44 MB SuperDrive, optional 2X CD-ROM
Expansion Apple: three NuBus slots and one accelerator slot[7]; plus a 5.25-inch bay
Ports 2 × ADB, 2 × Serial (57.6 kbit/s), SCSI, Video, Audio I/O

Model Configurations

Macintosh IIvx Order Numbers
Order Number RAM VRAM Hard Drive CD-ROM Price (1992)
M1355LL/A 4 MB 512 KB 80 MB No US$2,949
M1371LL/A 4 MB 512 KB 230 MB No US$3,549
M1373LL/A 5 MB 1 MB 80 MB Yes (2X) US$3,219

Identification

Identifier Value
Apple Model Number M1350
Gestalt ID 48

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Macintosh IIvx Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
  2. ↑ Macintosh IIvx, Wikipedia—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
  3. ↑ Macintosh IIvx, Wikipedia—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
  4. ↑ Macintosh IIvx, Wikipedia—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
  5. ↑ Macintosh IIvx Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
  6. ↑ Macintosh IIvx, Wikipedia—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Apple Computer, Macintosh IIvx, Macintosh IIvi, Performa 600 Service Source (Macintosh IIvx Service Source, File:Macintosh_iivx.vi.perf_600.pdf), Specifications chapter and Additional Procedures → Battery Verification ("if the battery voltage is below 2.8 volts, replace the battery").
  8. ↑ Macintosh IIvx, Wikipedia—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
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