Macintosh IIci

1998.01.31. Updated 2000.080

If you're looking for an excellent used Mac, the IIci offers decent performance and exceptional expandability. A used IIci will typically have 8 MB RAM, an 80 MB or larger hard drive, and a level 2 cache. All this with internal video for a 640 x 480 or portrait monitor can be had for about US$25-30. Some dealers have been blowing them out for the cost of shipping.

Unlike earlier models, the IIci has clean ROMs - you don't need Mode32 to go past 8 MB. The processor direct slot makes it easy to add a level 2 cache (about $10 used) or an efficient 68040-based accelerator. By replacing the motherboard, you can even turn a IIci into a Quadra 700.

Another way to boost performance is with an accelerated video card. Using motherboard memory for video creates a fast video subsystem, but slows the rest of the system slightly.

The IIci runs System 7 well.* I am especially pleased with the features and performance of System 7.5.5. You really need 8 MB RAM; if the IIci you buy has less, upgrade immediately. 1 MB SIMMs are getting hard to find, since there's little profit in them (they may sell for under US$2 each!). However, you may be able to find used (or "pulled") 1 MB, 2 MB, or 4 MB on usenet or in online classified ads. Ballpark pricing is $5-10 for four 1 MB SIMMs, $20-30 for four 4 MB SIMMs.

* Using Born Again, you can install and run Mac OS 8.1 on a IIci with at least 12 MB of memory.

Typical new memory prices at present are $2-5 for 1 MB SIMMs, $8-12 for 2 MB SIMMs, $6.50-10 for 4 MB SIMMs, and $19-29 for 16 MB SIMMs. I don't recommend 8 MB SIMMs - they're more expensive than 16 MB ones! (From ramseeker, the guide to the latest memory pricing.)

What do you do with the SIMMs you pull? I keep them in antistatic bags or tubes, hoping someday someone will have use of them. Pulled 1 MB SIMMs can be used to upgrade a Mac Plus or SE with less than 4 MB, a Classic with 2 MB, or any number of other Macs. Pulled 256 KB SIMMs are close to worthless, but keep 4 or 8 around just in case.

Be sure to visit our memory upgrade guide for possible configurations and installation instructions. Since the IIci can work with 256 KB, 512 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB, 4 MB, and 16 MB SIMMs, you have a lot of options. The IIci can handle up to 128 MB of RAM.

With three expansion slots and a processor direct slot, you can add an accelerator, video card, and ethernet card and still have a slot free for a second monitor, a Radius Rocket, or a second ethernet card (for use as a gateway).

If the hard drive isn't big enough, you can replace the internal drive with a half-height or third-height drive (most newer Macs don't have room for half-height drives). Pulled or surplus half-height drives are often available for a song.

What makes the IIci a Best Buy is that you can buy it and use it immediately, but it also has great upgrade potential.

Prices are approximate at the time the article was written.

<go to Best Buy index or Mac IIci page>

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