Macintosh Performa 5260CD
 | |
| Macintosh Performa 5260CD | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | All-in-one Personal Computer |
| Released | April 22, 1996 |
| Discontinued | February 1, 1997 |
| Intro price | US$1,900 |
| CPU | PowerPC 603e @ 100 MHz |
| Memory | 8 MB or 16 MB RAM (expandable to 64 MB) |
| Storage | 800 MB or 1.2 GB IDE hard drive, 4X CD-ROM |
| Display | 14" Shadow Mask CRT (640×480 at 16-bit color) |
| Sound | 16-bit mono sound input |
| Dimensions | 17.5" H × 15.1" W × 16.0" D (44.5 × 38.4 × 40.6 cm) |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 7.5.3 – Mac OS 9.1 |
| Predecessor | Performa 5200CD |
| Successor | Performa 5400CD |
| Model no. | M3457 |
The Macintosh Performa 5260CD is an all-in-one personal computer manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc., introduced on April 22, 1996.[1] It features a 100 MHz PowerPC 603e processor in the same all-in-one chassis as its predecessor, the Performa 5200CD.
The Performa 5260 series replaced the PowerPC 603 CPU with the improved 603e. The system shares its logic board and form factor with the education-market Power Macintosh 5260/100 and various regional variants sold under different model numbers.[2]
Model Variants
[edit | edit source]The Performa 5260 family includes several regional and speed variants:
| Model | CPU Speed | Hard Drive | CD-ROM | Introduction | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performa 5260CD | 100 MHz | 800 MB or 1.2 GB | 4X | April 22, 1996 | Worldwide |
| Performa 5270CD | 100 MHz | 1.2 GB | 4X | April 22, 1996 | Asia, Europe |
| Performa 5280 | 120 MHz | 1.2 GB | 8X | November 12, 1996 | Japan |
The Performa 5270CD is identical to the 5260CD with a different model designation for Asian and European markets. The Performa 5280 is a later variant with a faster 120 MHz CPU and 8X CD-ROM drive, sold exclusively in Japan.
Architecture and Processor
[edit | edit source]The Performa 5260CD uses the PowerPC 603e processor running at 100 MHz with a 40 MHz system bus.[3] The 603e is a 32-bit processor with a 64-bit data path and includes an integrated floating-point unit.
Cache Configuration
[edit | edit source]- L1 Cache: 32 KB (16 KB instruction + 16 KB data)
- L2 Cache: 256 KB (optional expansion slot)
ROM
[edit | edit source]The system includes 4 MB of ROM in a "New World" ROM-in-RAM configuration.
Memory and Storage
[edit | edit source]RAM Configuration
[edit | edit source]| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| RAM Type | 72-pin SIMM |
| Minimum Speed | 80 ns |
| Standard RAM | 8 MB or 16 MB |
| Maximum RAM | 64 MB |
| RAM Slots | 2 |
RAM cannot be interleaved on this system. 1 MB of system RAM is permanently dedicated to video function.
Storage Systems
[edit | edit source]- Hard Drive: 800 MB or 1.2 GB IDE internal drive
- Floppy Drive: 1.44 MB 3.5" manual-inject
- CD-ROM: 4X (5260CD/5270CD) or 8X (5280)
The system uses an IDE interface for the hard drive; internal SCSI hard drives are not supported.
Display and Graphics
[edit | edit source]The Performa 5260CD features a built-in 14" Shadow Mask RGB CRT display running at 640×480 resolution with 16-bit color (thousands of colors). Video memory consists of 1 MB dedicated from system RAM and cannot be expanded.[4]
An external display can be connected via an optional LC PDS video card.
Audio Capabilities
[edit | edit source]The system provides 16-bit mono sound input through the rear audio input jack. Standard Macintosh sound output is provided through built-in speakers and a rear audio output jack.
Input/Output and Expansion
[edit | edit source]Port Configuration
[edit | edit source]| Port Type | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADB | 1 | Apple Desktop Bus for keyboard and mouse |
| Serial | 2 | Printer and modem ports (no hardware handshaking) |
| Audio In | 1 | 16-bit mono |
| Audio Out | 1 | Stereo |
| SCSI | 1 | External DB-25 SCSI port |
| Video Out | 1 | Optional DB-15 (via expansion) |
The serial ports do not support hardware handshaking, limiting external modem speeds to 9600 bps.
Expansion Slots
[edit | edit source]- LC PDS: 1 slot for Processor Direct Slot cards
- Comm Slot: 1 slot for communication cards
- Video I/O Slot: 1 slot for video input/output cards
- TV Tuner Slot: 1 slot for optional TV tuner
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 Performa 5260CD General Maintenance page.
PCB Schematics & Service Manual
[edit | edit source]The Performa 5260 shares its logic board with the Power Macintosh 5260 series.
Apple Service Manual
[edit | edit source]The official Apple Service Source documentation covers both the Power Macintosh 5260 and Performa 5260/5280 series.
All Apple Service Manuals can be found on the Apple Service Source page.
Capacitor Replacement Guide
[edit | edit source]Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines for the logic board can be found on the Macintosh Performa 5260CD Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Retrobrite
[edit | edit source]To address plastic yellowing, detailed instructions can be found on the Retrobrite page.
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing no power, chime but no video, intermittent operation, Sad Mac errors, and floppy drive problems is available on the Macintosh Performa 5260CD Troubleshooting page.
Technical Details
[edit | edit source]System Architecture at a Glance
[edit | edit source]| Sub-system | Specification (Performa 5260CD, April 1996) |
|---|---|
| CPU | PowerPC 603e @ 100 MHz |
| Bus width | 32-bit data • 64-bit data path |
| System Bus | 40 MHz |
| ROM | 4 MB |
| RAM | 8-64 MB (72-pin SIMM) |
| Video | 640 × 480 @ 16-bit color |
| VRAM | 1 MB (from system RAM) |
| Sound | 16-bit mono input, stereo output |
| Disks | 1.44 MB floppy, 800 MB-1.2 GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM |
| Ports | ADB, SCSI, Serial × 2, Audio I/O |
Power Specifications
[edit | edit source]| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage | 110V-240V AC |
| Frequency | 50-60 Hz |
| Maximum Wattage | 125 W |
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Apple Macintosh Performa 5260CD Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Power Macintosh 5260, Wikipedia—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Macintosh Performa 5260CD: Technical Specifications, Apple Inc.—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Apple Macintosh Performa 5260CD Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)