Photo: Chi Ho Chan from Hong Kong / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons · source
Macintosh Classic II
A 68030 Classic: faster, but still a black-and-white compact.
Overview
The Classic II kept the shape of its predecessor but gained a 68030 processor running at 16 MHz, though a 16-bit data bus limited the real-world speedup. It came with 2 MB of memory, expandable to 10 MB, and a 40 or 80 MB hard disk.
An internal connector allowed a 68882 math coprocessor to be added. Unlike the SE/30 it had no Processor Direct Slot, so expansion was limited.
In 1992 it was sold in cheaper versions under the Performa 200 name. It marked the end of the monochrome compact line, which gave way to the Color Classic.
Why it mattered
It closed the book on the black-and-white compact Mac and the era of the external floppy port.
At a glance
- Announced
- October 21, 1991
- Released
- October 21, 1991
- Discontinued
- October 18, 1993
- Launch price
- $1,900
- Chip / processor
- Motorola 68030, 16 MHz
- Display
- 9"
- Storage
- 1.4 MB floppy, 40 or 80 MB hard disk
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- 16 MHz 68030 in the compact case
- 2 MB RAM, expandable to 10 MB
- Sold as the Performa 200
- Last monochrome compact Mac
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Display
- Size
- 9-inch
- Type
- Monochrome CRT
- Resolution
- 512 x 342
Chip
- Chip
- Motorola 68030, 16 MHz
- Coprocessor
- Optional 68882 FPU
Memory
- RAM
- 2 MB, expandable to 10 MB
- Storage options
- 1.4 MB floppy; 40 or 80 MB hard disk
Ports
- Ports
- ADB, 2 serial, SCSI, external floppy, audio in, headphone jack
Audio
- Speakers
- Built-in mono speaker (8-bit, 22 kHz)
Design
- Dimensions
- 34 x 25 x 28 cm (13.2 x 9.7 x 11.2 in)
- Weight
- 7.3 kg (16 lb)
Software
- Launch OS
- System 6.0.8L
- Latest supported OS
- Mac OS 7.6.1
Availability
- Announced
- October 21, 1991
- Released
- October 21, 1991
- Discontinued
- October 18, 1993
- Launch price
- $1,900
Colors
- Finishes
- Platinum
How it compares
More in the Macintosh family
Macintosh 128K
The beige box that put a mouse and icons on millions of desks.
Macintosh 512K
The "Fat Mac" quadrupled memory to make the Mac usable.
Macintosh Plus
SCSI, SIMM sockets and an 800 KB drive in the long-lived compact Mac.
Macintosh 512Ke
The budget Mac that borrowed the Plus floppy drive and ROMs.
Macintosh SE
A compact Mac with an internal drive bay and its first expansion slot.
Macintosh SE/30
The fast, hackable compact Mac that collectors still adore.
Macintosh Classic
The first Mac under a thousand dollars.
Macintosh Color Classic
The last compact Mac, now with a color Trinitron screen.