Mac LC 550 (Performa 550)

The LC 550 replaced the LC 520, increasing CPU speed from 25 MHz to 33 MHz. It was released at the same time as the 68LC040-based LC 575.

The Performa/LC 550 uses the same motherboard as the relatively rare Colour Classic II. For those with original Color Classics, dropping in a 550 motherboard is the quickest, easiest performance upgrade known.

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Details

LC 550 introduced 1994.02.02 at $1,200; discontinued 1995.03.23
Performa 550 introduced 1993.10.18 at $1,200; discontinued
Performa 560 introduced 1994.01.01; discontinued.
requires System 7.1 (with Enabler 065) to 7.6.1
CPU: 33 MHz 68030
FPU: 68882 (optional)
Performance: 4.6 (relative to SE); 2.86, MacBench 2.0 CPU; 8.3 MIPS
ROM: 1 MB
RAM: 4 MB on motherboard, expandable to 36 MB using a single 80ns 72-pin SIMM; can use 1 MB, 2 MB, 4 MB, 8 MB, 16 MB, or 32 MB SIMM
video: 512 KB VRAM, supports 640 x 480 at 8-bits
L2 cache: none
ADB: 2 ports for keyboard and mouse
serial: 2 DIN-8 RS-422 ports on back of computer
SCSI: DB-25 connector on back of computer
Hard drive: 160 MB
enhanced LC PDS slot
size (HxWxD): 17.9″ x 13.5″ x 16.5″
Weight: 40.5 lbs.
PRAM battery: 3.6V half-AA
Gestalt ID: 80
addressing: 24-bit or 32-bit
upgrade path: LC 575 or LC 475/Quadra 605 motherboard, Power Mac PDS card

Accelerators & Upgrades

Sonnet Presto Plus (33 MHz 68LC040 or 68040, Ethernet, and 32 MB additional RAM)

Online Resources

See: Online resources and links for the Mac LC 550 (Performa 550)

Cautions

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.