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In the annals of computing history, certain milestones stand out as defining moments. One such milestone was the introduction of the Apple Macintosh Performa 5420CD in the year 1996. A member of the illustrious Macintosh Performa series, this personal computer swiftly captured the hearts of Macintosh enthusiasts worldwide.
What set the Performa 5420CD apart was its cutting-edge specifications. Housing a 120 MHz PowerPC 603e processor, a vibrant 15-inch color CRT display, 16 MB of RAM, a capacious 1.6 GB hard drive, a zippy 4x CD-ROM drive, and a reliable 1.44 MB floppy drive, it was a powerhouse wrapped in a sleek design. This fusion of formidable hardware and elegant aesthetics made the Performa 5420CD an irresistible choice for users seeking excellence on all fronts.
Regrettably, the Performa 5420CD had a relatively short tenure, bidding adieu on March 1, 1997. Despite its fleeting presence, it etched an indelible mark in Apple’s history, standing as a testament to the company’s indomitable spirit of innovation.
Sharing its lineage with the Performa 5400 and Power Macintosh 5400, the 5420CD boasted an all-in-one desktop configuration, complete with a built-in 15″ shadow mask display. Equipped with 1 MB of VRAM, it could effortlessly render 8-bit color at an impressive 832 x 624 pixels and 16-bit color at 640 x 480 pixels. The heart of this machine, the “Alchemy” logic board, played host to a robust PowerPC 603e processor, clocked at an impressive 120 MHz in the 5420CD variant.
With two 168-pin DIMM slots, users had the liberty to expand RAM beyond the initial 8 MB soldered onto the motherboard, reaching a maximum of 136 MB. The inclusion of three diverse expansion slots – a PCI slot, a Comm Slot II for internal modems or Ethernet cards, and a video-in slot for an Apple TV Tuner Card – demonstrated Apple’s foresight in anticipating user needs. The 4x CD-ROM and external hard drives were seamlessly integrated through a SCSI bus, while the 1.6 GB internal hard disk drive operated via an IDE bus. The built-in floppy drive, a reliable workhorse, supported 1.44 MB high-density disks.
Out of the box, the Performa 5420CD came pre-installed with Mac OS 7.5.3, complemented by System Enabler 410 and a curated selection of bundled software. Its journey continued up until Mac OS 9.1, showcasing the machine’s enduring compatibility with evolving software landscapes. Notably, the L2 cache slot also doubled as a processor direct slot, enabling enthusiasts to elevate performance by upgrading to a PowerPC G3 processor.
As the Macintosh Performa 5420CD turns 27, its legacy continues to thrive. For many, it symbolizes the halcyon days of Macintosh computing, when Apple’s innovations were fresh and exhilarating. Though the Performa 5420CD has exited the stage, it remains an adored chapter in Apple’s chronicle, immortalizing the company’s pioneering ethos.
Intriguingly, the Performa 5420CD shares an uncanny resemblance with its sibling, the Performa 5410CD. The key differentiator? A striking black casing, marking it as one of the rare black all-in-one Macs in its era. Alas, this marvel was exclusively available in Europe and Asia, leaving North America untouched by its allure.
In retrospect, the Apple Macintosh Performa 5420CD was more than a computer; it was a harbinger of a new era. Its departure may have marked the end of an era, but its legacy lives on, an enduring testament to Apple’s ceaseless pursuit of excellence.
Macintosh Performa 5420CD Details
| Introduced | April 22, 1996 |
| Discontinued | March 1, 1997 |
| Model Identifier | 74 |
| Model Number | M3046 |
| Order Number | M4751J/A |
| Original Price | Unknown |
| Colors | Black |
| Weight | 47 Ibs. 21.318 KG |
| Dimensions | 17.5” H x 15.1” W x 16” D 44.45 cm H x 38.35 cm W x 40.64 cm D |
Mac Performa 5420 Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | PowerPC 603e |
| Processor Speed | 120 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 40 MHz |
| Cache | 32 KB L1 256 KB L2 (Optional) |
| Coprocessor | Built-in FPU |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 1.6 GB |
| Media | 1 – 1.44 MB Floppy 1 – 4x CD-ROM |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 16 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 136 MB |
| Memory Slots | 2 – 168 pin DIMM |
| Minimum Speed | 70 ns |
| ROM | Unknown |
| Interleaving Support | No |
Display
| Built-in Display | 15″ Shadow Mask RGB CRT Display |
| Resolution | 640×480 at 16-bit 800×600 at 8-bit 832×624 at 8-bit |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | None |
| Graphics Memory | 1 MB |
| Display Connection | None |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | 1 – LC PDS (Cache Bus) 1 – Comm. II Slot 1 – Video I/O 1 – TV Tuner |
| Hard Drive Interface | IDE |
Connections
| Ethernet | 1 – 10BASE-T (Optional) |
| Modem | None |
| ADB | 1 |
| Serial | 2 |
| SCSI | 1 – DB-25 |
| Floppy Port | None |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack 1 – Built-in microphone |
| Audio Out | 2 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 2 – Built-in speaker |
| Display | None |
Software
| Original OS | System Software 7.5.5 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS 9.1 |
| Firmware | Macintosh ROM |
Power
| Backup Battery | 4.5 V Alkaline |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 220 W |
| Line Voltage | Unknown |
Further Reading and References
- Macintosh Performa 5420CD: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Macintosh Performa – Wikipedia
- Macintosh Performa 5420CD – IT History Society
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Last updated: September 16, 2023