Color Classic

"Apple Macintosh Color Classic"

Priced at $1,399, the Macintosh Color Classic was manufactured from February 1993 to May 1995. However, it was sold up to January 1998 in the European and Japanese markets. The color classic offered the "all-in-one" design, with an integrated colored RGB Sony Trinitron display. It was the first "all-in-one" Mac to adopt a new modern design with many lines and curves.

AT A GLANCE

• The last model of the original "compact" Macintosh family
• 10″ color Sony Trinitron RGB display (viewable size is 8.2")
• 512 × 384 pixels resolution (can be upgraded with modification)
• The logic board is similar to the Macintosh LC II, and can be easily replaced without opening the computer
• Motorola 68030 CPU running at 16 MHz (optional 68882)
• 4 MB MB RAM, and up to 10 MB
• 1 MB ROM
• Hard drive 40, 80, or 160 MB
• Disk drive: 1.44 MB SuperDrive (Auto)
• A single PDS expansion slot (LC-type Processor Direct Slot)
• The Color Classic can go up to Mac OS 7.6.1.
• Shipped with the Apple Keyboard II and the Apple Desktop Bus Mouse II

Related Models: Color Classic II

In 1993, Apple released an upgraded model, the Color Classic II, featuring a faster 68030 processor running at 33 MHz. The Color Classic II was released in Europe, Japan, and Canada, but not in the US.

Colors & Graphic Modes

• 512 x 384 pixels max resolution (can be upgraded to 640 × 480 resolution via mod)
• VRAM supports 4-bit/16-color mode (512k VRAM upgrade)
• A video card allows the use of a larger external monitor

Sound Capabilities

• 8-bit mono speaker
• Mono microphone

I/O Ports

• PDS expansion slot
• Printer port
• Modem Port
• 2 X ADB ports (Mouse and keyboard)
• SCSI (DB-25)
• Sound Out (mono)

Expansions & Upgrades

There is a single PDS expansion slot (LC-type Processor Direct Slot)

• CPU accelerators (68040, PPC)
• Ethernet
• Video cards (allows the use of a larger external monitor)
• PDS card can emulate an Apple IIe
• Changing the display could allow a 640 × 480 resolution (a common requirement for many Mac games)

Modifications

• The ‘Mystic’ modification

With the ‘Mystic’ modification, the Color Classic can use the Macintosh LC 575 which has the Motorola 68LC040 CPU at 33 MHz and can go up to Mac OS 8.1.

• The ‘Takky’ modification

With the Takky modification, the Color Classic can use PowerPC 601, 603, or 604-equipped motherboards. This means it can go up to Mac OS 9.1.

■ Macintosh Color Classic

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