Macintosh LC II
 | |
| Macintosh LC II | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Personal Computer |
| Released | March 23, 1992 |
| Discontinued | March 15, 1993 |
| Intro price | US$1,699 |
| CPU | Motorola 68030 @ 16 MHz |
| Memory | 4 MB RAM (expandable to 10 MB) |
| Storage | 40 MB, 80 MB, or 160 MB SCSI HDD, 1.44 MB SuperDrive |
| Display | 512×384 (8-bit) or 640×480 (8-bit with 512K VRAM) |
| Sound | 8-bit monophonic sound input and output (Apple's figure) |
| Dimensions | 3.0" H × 12.2" W × 15.0" D (7.7 × 31.0 × 38.2 cm) |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs (4.0 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 6.0.8 – System 7.6.1 |
| Predecessor | Macintosh LC |
| Successor | Macintosh LC III |
| Codename | Foster Farms |
| Model no. | M1700 |
The Macintosh LC II is a personal computer released by Apple on March 23, 1992, as a direct replacement for the original Macintosh LC.[1] The LC II upgraded the processor to a Motorola 68030, adding a PMMU (Paged Memory Management Unit) for virtual memory support while maintaining price parity with the original LC's launch price.[2]
Model Variants
[edit | edit source]The LC II was sold under several Performa brand names for consumer markets:
- Performa 400 — Base configuration
- Performa 405 — With 4 MB RAM and 80 MB hard drive
- Performa 410 — With 4 MB RAM and 80 MB hard drive (different bundle)
- Performa 430 — With 4 MB RAM and 120 MB hard drive
All variants use the same logic board and hardware.
Architecture and Processor
[edit | edit source]The LC II uses a Motorola 68030 processor running at 16 MHz. Despite the upgraded processor, the LC II retains the 16-bit memory bus from the original LC, which limits memory bandwidth.[3] The 68030 includes an integrated PMMU, enabling System 7's virtual memory feature.
The Gestalt ID for the Macintosh LC II is 19 or 37 (depending on ROM version).
Note: Although the 68030 supports an FPU, Apple did not include an FPU socket on the LC II logic board as a cost-saving measure.
Memory and Storage
[edit | edit source]RAM Configuration
[edit | edit source]The LC II shipped with 4 MB standard, expandable to 10 MB — Apple's figures[4] — in two 30-pin SIMM slots, matched pairs, 100 ns or faster.
The sound on the LC, LC II and LC III is monophonic in and out. Apple's own wording is a mono sound input and output port on a mini phono plug, and a monophonic 8-bit sound generator supplying the same signal to both channels of stereo equipment.[4] Stereo output arrives with the LC 475 and Quadra 605. A stereo input/output description on the earlier machines is wrong, and it matters when diagnosing a channel that sounds dead: on an LC, LC II or LC III both channels carry the same signal by design.
Apple's other figures for this machine: ROM 512K; VRAM 256K SIMM upgradable to 512K; a 96-pin processor-direct slot taking 020/030 cards; maximum power 50 W excluding the monitor; 100–240 VAC automatically configured at 47–63 Hz; PRAM battery replaced below 3.0 V.[4]
| Configuration | Slot 1 | Slot 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 MB | 2 MB | 2 MB |
| 6 MB | 2 MB + 2 MB soldered | 2 MB |
| 10 MB | 4 MB | 4 MB + 2 MB soldered |
Video RAM
[edit | edit source]The LC II includes 256 KB of VRAM standard, expandable to 512 KB:
- 256 KB VRAM: 640×480 at 4-bit (16 colors)
- 512 KB VRAM: 640×480 at 8-bit (256 colors)
Storage Systems
[edit | edit source]Storage options included:
- 40 MB, 80 MB, or 160 MB internal SCSI hard drive
- 1.44 MB SuperDrive (reads/writes 400K, 800K, and 1.44 MB disks)
Input/Output and Expansion
[edit | edit source]Port Configuration
[edit | edit source]- 1× Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port
- 1× External SCSI (DB-25)
- 1× monophonic audio input (mini phono plug)
- 1× monophonic audio output (mini phono plug)[4]
- 2× Serial ports (Mini DIN-8)
- 1× Video output (DA-15)
Expansion
[edit | edit source]The LC II features a single LC Processor Direct Slot (LC PDS), compatible with the same expansion cards as the original LC.
General Maintenance
[edit | edit source]For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, and connector care, refer to the dedicated Macintosh LC II General Maintenance page.
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing common issues with the Macintosh LC II is available on the Macintosh LC II Troubleshooting page.
Capacitor Replacement
[edit | edit source]The Macintosh LC II logic board contains 17 surface-mount electrolytic capacitors that commonly fail due to age. Detailed replacement guidelines can be found on the Macintosh LC II Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Technical Details
[edit | edit source]| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Motorola 68030 @ 16 MHz |
| FPU | None (no socket provided) |
| PMMU | Integrated in 68030 |
| Data Bus | 32-bit (16-bit memory controller) |
| System Bus | 16 MHz |
| ROM | 512 KB |
| RAM | 4 MB (max 10 MB) |
| VRAM | 256 KB (max 512 KB) |
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Macintosh LC II, Apple History—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
- ↑ Apple Macintosh LC II Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
- ↑ Macintosh LC II, Low End Mac—link(accessed 2026-02-09)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Apple Computer, Macintosh LC Series/Quadra 605 Service Source (Macintosh LC Series/ Quadra 605 Service Source, File:Quadra_605.lc_series.pdf), Specifications chapter and Additional Procedures, Battery Replacement (below 3.0 volts, replace the battery). This volume has no Adjustments chapter, so Apple publishes no rail tolerance and no power-supply adjustment for any LC.