Mac Classic II

Introduced in October 1991, the Classic II (a.k.a. Performa 200) was both an upgraded Classic and a replacement for the venerable SE/30. Based on a modified LC motherboard, the Classic II shares a 16-bit data path and a RAM ceiling of 10 MB (the Classic II is slower than the SE/30, even though both use the same 16 MHz 68030 CPU). These shortcomings, plus the lack of an expansion slot, made it a poor replacement for the SE/30, and we call it a Compromised Mac.

The Classic II was the last Mac to use a 9″ b&w screen.

You can set brightness from the keyboard with the Brightness control panel open – just use the keys 1-9 for a brighter or dimmer display. Note that if you set a brightness less than 4, the Classic II will revert to 4 at the next startup. Apple did this so users wouldn’t think the computer wasn’t working due to a dark display.

Got a compact Mac? Join our Vintage Macs Group or Vintage Macs Forum.
Our System 6 Group is for anyone using Mac System 6.

Color display? Aura Systems made ScuzzyGraph II, a SCSI peripheral that provided 8-color video for people who didn’t want to buy (or couldn’t afford) a Mac II. 1989 cost was $995 to $2,495, depending on resolution.

You can convert a non-working compact Mac into a Macquarium. (Please, don’t even think of converting a working one – you can always find someone interested on the Classic Macs or Compact Macs lists.)

Details

Classic II introduced 1991.10.21 at $1,899; discontinued 1993.09.13
Performa 200 introduced 1992.09.14; discontinued 1993.10.18
code names: Apollo, Montana
Gestalt ID: 23 (49 for Performa 250)
model no.: M4150

Mac OS

requires System 6.0.8L, 7.0.1 to 7.6.1
addressing: 24-bit or 32-bit

Core System

CPU: 16 MHz 68030
FPU: 68882 (optional)
ROM: 512 KB
RAM: 2 MB, expandable to 10 MB using two 100ns 30-pin SIMMs

Performance

1.8, relative to SE
3.97, Speedometer 3.06
0.25, Speedometer 4
3.9 MIPS
see benchmarks

Graphics

9″ b&w screen, 512 x 342 pixels

Drives

floppy drive: 1.4 MB double-sided
floppy connector on back of computer
Hard drive: 40 or 80 MB

Expansion

ADB ports: 2
serial ports: 2 DIN-8 RS-422 ports on back of computer
SCSI ports: DB-25 connector on back of computer
expansion slots: none

Physical

size (HxWxD): 13.2″ x 9.7″ x 11.2″
Weight: 16 lbs.
PRAM battery: 3.6V half-AA
power supply: 76W

Accelerators

none known

Online Resources

See: Online resources and links for the Mac Classic II

Cautions

Apple discontinued support and parts orders for this model on 2001.01.01. You may be able to find dealers with parts inventory either locally or on our parts and service list.
Never connect an Apple II 5.25″ floppy drive to the Mac’s floppy port. Doing so can ruin the floppy controller, meaning you can’t even use the internal drive any longer.
Macs with black-and-white only displays (1-bit, no grays) may find Netscape Navigator 3 makes it impossible to view some pages and sites. The workaround is to use Navigator 2 or 4.
Serial port normally restricted to 57.6 kbps; throughput with a 56k modem may be limited. See 56k modem page. For more information on Mac serial ports, read Macintosh Serial Throughput.