Macintosh Centris 610
 | |
| Macintosh Centris 610 (identical case to Quadra 610) | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Personal Computer |
| Released | February 10, 1993 |
| Discontinued | October 21, 1993 |
| Intro price | US$1,860–$2,520 |
| CPU | Motorola 68LC040 @ 20 MHz |
| Memory | 4 MB RAM soldered (expandable to 68 MB) |
| Storage | 80–500 MB SCSI hard drive, 1.44 MB floppy |
| Display | Supports up to 1152×870 (8-bit with 1 MB VRAM) |
| Sound | 8-bit stereo |
| Dimensions | 3.4" H × 16.3" W × 15.6" D (8.6 × 41.4 × 39.6 cm) |
| Weight | 14 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 7.1 – Mac OS 8.1 |
| Predecessor | Macintosh IIsi |
| Successor | Macintosh Quadra 610 |
| Codename | Speedbump 610 |
| Model no. | M1444 |
The Macintosh Centris 610 is a personal computer designed and manufactured by Apple Computer, released on February 10, 1993.[1] It was introduced as the entry-level model in Apple's new Centris line, positioned between the consumer Macintosh LC series and the professional Quadra series.[2]
The Centris 610 introduced a new low-profile "pizza box" case design that would later be used for the Macintosh Quadra 660AV and Power Macintosh 6100. In October 1993, the Centris 610 was renamed to Macintosh Quadra 610 with a processor speed bump to 25 MHz as Apple consolidated its product naming strategy.[3]
Model Variants
[edit | edit source]The Centris 610 was sold in four configurations at launch:[4]
- Base model (M1345LL/A): 4 MB RAM, 80 MB HDD, no Ethernet — US$1,860
- Mid-range: 8 MB RAM, 80 MB HDD, Ethernet
- Upper mid-range (M1397LL/A): 8 MB RAM, 230 MB HDD, Ethernet — US$2,560
- High-end (M1398LL/A): 8 MB RAM, 1 MB VRAM, 230 MB HDD, 2× CD-ROM, Ethernet, microphone
A server variant, the Workgroup Server 60, was introduced in July 1993 with a full 68040 processor.
Architecture and Processor
[edit | edit source]The Centris 610 uses a Motorola 68LC040 processor running at 20 MHz. The "LC" designation indicates the processor lacks an integrated floating-point unit (FPU). The 68LC040 can be replaced with a full 68040 to add FPU capability.[5]
- CPU: Motorola 68LC040 @ 20 MHz
- Data bus: 32-bit
- Address bus: 32-bit
- L1 cache: 8 KB (integrated)
- ROM: 1 MB
Memory
[edit | edit source]- Onboard RAM: 4 MB soldered to logic board
- RAM slots: 2 × 72-pin SIMM
- Maximum RAM: 68 MB[6]
- RAM speed: 80 ns or faster
- Supported SIMMs: 4, 8, 16, or 32 MB
If SIMMs of different speeds are used, the faster SIMM should be installed in bank 0 (frontmost slot).
Storage
[edit | edit source]- Floppy drive: 1.44 MB SuperDrive (auto-inject)
- Hard drive: 80, 230, or 500 MB internal SCSI
- CD-ROM: Optional 2× AppleCD 300i (internal)
- SCSI interface: external DB-25. Apple: a maximum of six external devices, the computer itself always being device 7[6]
Display and Graphics
[edit | edit source]The Centris 610 includes built-in video output via a DB-15 connector. VGA monitors can be connected using an adapter.
- VRAM: 512 KB onboard, expandable to 1 MB via SIMM
- VRAM slots: 2 (accepts 256 KB or 512 KB VRAMs)
| Resolution | 512 KB VRAM | 1 MB VRAM |
|---|---|---|
| 512 × 384 | 16-bit | 16-bit |
| 640 × 480 | 8-bit | 16-bit |
| 800 × 600 | 8-bit | 16-bit |
| 832 × 624 | 8-bit | 16-bit |
| 1024 × 768 | 4-bit | 8-bit |
| 1152 × 870 | 4-bit | 8-bit |
Input/Output and Expansion
[edit | edit source]Port Configuration
[edit | edit source]- ADB ports: 2 (keyboard, mouse)
- Serial ports: 2 (DIN-8 printer and modem)
- SCSI: 1 (DB-25 external)
- Video: 1 (DB-15)
- Audio: Speaker out, microphone in
- Ethernet: AAUI-15 (optional on some configurations)
Expansion Slots
[edit | edit source]The Centris 610 has a single Processor Direct Slot (PDS). A NuBus adapter (Apple part M1402LL/A) allows installation of one 7-inch NuBus card. Only 7-inch NuBus cards fit; standard 12-inch cards will not work.[7]
The low clearance of the case initially prevented use of the full 68040 processor, which requires a heatsink that the 68LC040 does not need.
Power
[edit | edit source]- Line voltage: 100–240 VAC
- Line frequency: 50–60 Hz — Apple's figure for this machine
- Maximum power: 112 W, not including the monitor[6]
- PRAM battery: 3.6 V ½AA lithium. Apple's instruction is to replace it below 3.2 V[6]
86 W circulates for this machine as the maximum power. That is the Centris 660AV's figure, not this machine's; Apple gives 112 W for the 610.
The power switch is located on the front panel. Unlike the Mac II series, the Centris 610 cannot be powered on or off via the keyboard power key.
General Maintenance
[edit | edit source]For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, connector corrosion prevention, and voltage adjustments, refer to the dedicated Macintosh Centris 610 General Maintenance page.
Capacitor Replacement Guide
[edit | edit source]Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines for the logic board can be found on the Macintosh Centris 610 Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing no power, chime but no video, intermittent operation, and other issues is available on the Macintosh Centris 610 Troubleshooting page.
Technical Details
[edit | edit source]System Architecture at a Glance
[edit | edit source]| Sub-system | Specification (Macintosh Centris 610, 1993) |
|---|---|
| CPU | Motorola 68LC040 @ 20 MHz |
| Bus width | 32-bit data • 32-bit address |
| ROM | 1 MB |
| RAM | 4 or 8 MB standard, expandable to 68 MB (80 ns or faster 72-pin SIMMs)[6] |
| Video | Up to 1152 × 870 (built-in) |
| Sound | 8-bit stereo |
| Disks | 1.44 MB floppy, 80–500 MB SCSI HDD |
| Ports | ADB × 2, Serial × 2, SCSI, Video, Audio |
Processor Specifications
[edit | edit source]| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Motorola 68LC040 @ 20 MHz[8] |
| FPU | None (68LC040 variant) |
| Data Bus | 32-bit |
| Address Bus | 32-bit |
| Gestalt ID | 52 |
| Model Number | M1444 |
Service documentation
[edit | edit source]Apple's own service manual is hosted here as Macintosh Quadra 610/ Centris 610/WS 60 Service Source, which covers the Centris 610 alongside the Quadra 610, the Quadra 610 DOS Compatible and the Workgroup Server 60. It gives the supply as 100–240 VAC at 50–60 Hz drawing 112 W excluding the monitor, and the PRAM cell threshold as replace below 3.2 V.[9]
Its Troubleshooting chapter stops at Peripheral — there is no Miscellaneous and no Error Chords section — so an unexplained startup chord on one of these has to be worked out elsewhere.[9]
See Also
[edit | edit source]- Macintosh Quadra 610 — The renamed/upgraded successor
- Macintosh Centris 650 — Mid-range Centris model
- Macintosh IIsi — Predecessor
- Power Macintosh 6100 — Uses the same case design
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Macintosh Centris 610 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Centris 610, Low End Mac—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Macintosh Quadra 610, Wikipedia—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Macintosh Centris 610: Technical Specifications, Apple Inc.—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Centris 610, Low End Mac—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Apple Computer, Macintosh Quadra 610/Centris 610/WS 60 Service Source (Macintosh Quadra 610/ Centris 610/WS 60 Service Source, File:Quadra.centris_610.ws_60.pdf), Specifications chapter and Additional Procedures → Battery Verification.
- ↑ Macintosh Quadra 610, Wikipedia—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Macintosh Centris 610: Technical Specifications, Apple Inc.—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Apple Computer, Macintosh Centris 610, Service Source, 103 pp, PDF distilled 20 November 1995. Hosted here as the wiki page linked above (File:quadra.centris_610.ws_60.pdf). Specifications chapter, and Additional Procedures — Battery Verification where a threshold is quoted.