Macintosh Quadra 840AV
The last 68040 flagship, with a DSP for video and speech.
Overview
The Quadra 840AV was the top of the 68k line. Its 40 MHz 68040 was the fastest processor Apple ever put in a 680x0 Mac, and the mid-tower case came from the Quadra 800.
The AV designation meant a digital signal processor from AT&T, S-Video and composite video in and out, CD-quality audio ports and PlainTalk, which let the Mac speak text and respond to spoken commands. Video capture and TV out were possible without extra boards.
Much of the AV software promise went unfulfilled, and the PowerPC transition arrived a year later, but the 840AV remains a favorite for classic Mac collectors.
Why it mattered
It was the fastest 68k Mac ever made and Apple's first serious push into multimedia audio and video I/O.
At a glance
- Announced
- July 1, 1993
- Released
- July 1, 1993
- Launch price
- Not available
- Chip / processor
- Motorola 68040, 40 MHz
- Storage
- 230 MB, 500 MB or 1 GB hard disk
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- 40 MHz 68040, the fastest 68k Mac
- AT&T 3210 DSP for audio and video
- S-Video and composite in and out
- PlainTalk speech support
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Chip
- Chip
- Motorola 68040, 40 MHz
- DSP
- AT&T 3210
Video
- Video I/O
- S-Video and composite video input and output
Expansion
- Case
- Mid-tower (Quadra 800 case)
Audio
- Speakers
- CD-quality audio ports; PlainTalk text-to-speech and speech control
History
- Related model
- Centris 660AV (25 MHz) with the same AV features
- Successor
- Power Macintosh 8100 AV
Memory
- Storage options
- 230 MB, 500 MB or 1 GB SCSI hard disk
Availability
- Announced
- July 1, 1993
- Released
- July 1, 1993
Colors
- Finishes
- Platinum
