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On September 19, 1988, Apple introduced the Macintosh IIx, a powerful personal computer that was part of the Macintosh II series. The Macintosh IIx was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple from 1988 to 1990, and it was considered a high-end computer at the time.
The Macintosh IIx featured a 16 MHz Motorola 68030 processor, which was a significant improvement over the Macintosh II’s 8 MHz processor. It also had a Motorola 68882 FPU coprocessor, which helped with floating-point calculations. The computer came with either 1 MB or 4 MB of RAM, a 40 MB or 80 MB hard drive, and one or two 1.44 MB floppy drives. An optional Macintosh II video card was also available.
However, despite its impressive specs, the Macintosh IIx was not a commercial success. It was discontinued on October 15, 1990, just two years after its introduction. Today, the Macintosh IIx is 34 years old and considered a vintage computer by collectors and enthusiasts.
Overall, the Macintosh IIx was a significant step forward for Apple in terms of hardware, but it did not catch on with consumers. Nevertheless, it remains a piece of computing history and a fascinating look into the evolution of personal computers.
Macintosh IIx Details
Introduced | September 19, 1988 |
Discontinued | October 15, 1990 |
Model Identifier | 7 |
Model Number | M5840 |
Order Number | M5820 M5840 M5850 |
Original Price | $7,769 $9,300 |
Colors | Platinum |
Weight | 24 Ibs. 10.886 KG |
Dimensions | 5.5” H x 18.7” W x 14.4” D 13.97 cm H x 47.49 cm W x 36.57 cm D |
Mac IIx Tech Specs
Processor
Processor | Motorola 68030 |
Processor Speed | 16 MHz |
Architecture | 32-bit |
Number of Cores | 1 |
System Bus | 16 MHz |
Cache | 0.25 KB L1 |
Coprocessor | Motorola 68882 FPU |
Storage & Media
Storage | 40 MB 80 MB |
Media | 1 or 2 – 1.44 MB Floppy |
Memory
Built-in Memory | 1 MB 4 MB |
Maximum Memory | 128 MB |
Memory Slots | 8 – 30 pin SIMMs (Groups of 4) (4 MB or larger modules must be PAL SIMMs) |
Minimum Speed | 120 ns |
ROM | Unknown |
Interleaving Support | No |
Display
Built-in Display | None |
Graphics
Graphics Card | None |
Graphics Memory | None |
Display Connection | Unknown |
Expansion
Expansion Slots | 6 – NuBus |
Hard Drive Interface | SCSI |
Software
Original OS | System Software 6.0.1 |
Maximum OS | System 7.5.5 |
Firmware | Macintosh ROM |
Connections
Ethernet | None |
Modem | None |
ADB | 2 |
Serial | 2 |
SCSI | 1 – DB-25 |
Floppy Port | None |
Audio In | None |
Audio Out | 1 – 3.5-mm stereo output jack |
Display | Unknown |
Accessories
Power
Backup Battery | 3.6 V lithium |
Maximum Continuous Power | 230 W |
Line Voltage | Unknown |
Further Reading and References
- Macintosh IIx: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Macintosh IIx – Wikipedia
- Mac IIx – Low End Mac
- Macintosh II/IIx/IIfx Service Source (PDF) – Apple Repair Manuals
- Today in Apple history: Powerful, upgradeable Macintosh IIx arrives – Cult of Mac
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Last updated: May 14, 2023