Macintosh Classic II

Macintosh Classic II / Performa 200
DeveloperApple Computer, Inc.
Product familyCompact Macintosh
Release dateOctober 21, 1991 (1991-10-21)
Introductory priceUS$1,900 (equivalent to $4,250 in 2023)
DiscontinuedOctober 18, 1993 (1993-10-18)
Operating systemSystem 6.0.8L - Mac OS 7.6.1
CPUMotorola 68030 @ 16 MHz
Memory2 MB, expandable to 10 MB (100 ns 30-pin SIMM)
Display9 inches (23 cm) monochrome, 512 × 342
DimensionsHeight: 13.2 inches (34 cm)
Width: 9.7 inches (25 cm)
Depth: 11.2 inches (28 cm)
Mass16 pounds (7.3 kg)
PredecessorMacintosh SE/30
Macintosh Classic
SuccessorMacintosh Color Classic

The Macintosh Classic II (also sold as the Performa 200) is a personal computer designed and manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. from October 1991 to September 1993. The system has a compact, appliance design with an integrated 9" monitor, typical of the earliest of the Macintosh range. A carrying handle moulded into the case added a degree of portability at a time when laptops were still relatively uncommon.

Like the preceding Macintosh SE/30, the Classic II was powered by a 16 MHz Motorola 68030 CPU but experienced about 30% slower performance due to the limitations imposed by a cost-reduced 16-bit data bus, versus the 32-bit bus used in the SE/30 design. The system had a base memory configuration of 2 MB, with a 10 MB upper limit and was supplied with either a 40 or 80 MB hard disk.[1]

While the Classic II was styled after the earlier Classic, architecturally it had more in common with the Macintosh LC. The use of custom ICs, identical to those used in the LC, enabled the Classic II to have a lower component count than older Macs, which reduced manufacturing costs. Unlike the LC and the SE/30 before it, the Classic II lacked an internal Processor Direct Slot, making it the second slotless desktop Macintosh after the Classic.

The Classic II is one of three machines to be originally repackaged as a Macintosh Performa when the brand was first introduced in September 1992 to compete in the home user space.[2] Called the "Performa 200", it was sold with the same specifications as the original Classic II but often supplied with bundled software. The exact packaged software varied by retailer but usually included the At Ease desktop alternative, which aimed to provide a simpler user interface experience than the standard Macintosh Finder. The Performa 200 was initially offered at a retail price of about $1,250 USD.[2]

The Classic II is the last black-and-white compact Macintosh, and the last desktop Macintosh to include an external floppy disk drive port. Apple discontinued support for the Classic II on January 1, 2001.

  1. ^ Pogue, David; Schorr, Joseph (1999). MacWorld Mac Secrets, 5th Edition. IDG Books. ISBN 0-7645-4040-8.
  2. ^ a b Seiter, Charles (November 1992). "Mass Market Macs - Apple's New Performa Series Is Coming To A Store Near You". MacWorld Magazine. pp. 110–115.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · View on Wikipedia

Developed by Nelliwinne