On April 3, 1995, Apple revolutionized the personal computing world with the introduction of the Power Macintosh 5200 LC. This all-in-one marvel, a part of Apple’s esteemed Power Macintosh series, quickly captured the hearts of tech enthusiasts across the globe. Though its existence lasted just over a year, the Power Macintosh 5200 LC remains a cherished piece of technology, evoking waves of nostalgia among Apple devotees.
Priced at a whopping $2,000, the Power Macintosh 5200 LC was undeniably a premium offering during its debut. Powered by a 75 MHz PowerPC 603 processor, the computer came equipped with an impressive 15-inch color CRT display, 8 MB of RAM, a 500 MB hard drive, and either a 2x or 4x CD-ROM drive. Additionally, users could store data on floppy disks using its 1.44 MB floppy drive.
Fast forward to today, and the Power Macintosh 5200 LC celebrates its 27th anniversary, serving as a testament to the extraordinary advancements in technology. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the journey from the Power Macintosh 5200 LC to the sleek and powerful computers we have now has been nothing short of revolutionary.
For devoted Power Macintosh 5200 LC owners, this computer rekindles cherished memories of Apple’s early computing era. Its distinct features, such as the iconic CRT display and limited storage capacity, evoke a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the journey we’ve undertaken with technology.
Conversely, for the generation born into a world of sleek laptops and cutting-edge devices, the Power Macintosh 5200 LC is a historical artifact, an emblem of progress and innovation. It serves as a stark reminder of the strides we’ve made in the tech realm, allowing us to appreciate how far we’ve come.
One mustn’t overlook the importance of the Power Macintosh 5200 LC’s lineage within the Apple ecosystem. Alongside its sibling, the Power Macintosh 5300 LC, it was part of Apple’s formidable lineup, residing in the Power Macintosh, LC, and Performa families of Macintosh computers. To consumers, it appeared as variations of Performa 5200 and Performa 5300, showcasing Apple’s focus on catering to diverse user preferences.
However, beneath its all-in-one elegance, the Power Macintosh 5200 LC grappled with some compromises. The logic board, codenamed “Cordyceps,” relied on the LC architecture, impacting performance similar to its desktop counterpart, the Power Macintosh 6200. Moreover, the absence of GeoPort capabilities in its serial port set it apart from its advanced peers, leaving it as one of the more constrained models from Apple at the time.
Upon its release, the Power Macintosh 5200 LC shipped within an all-in-one case alongside a 15″ shadow mask color monitor, marking a breakthrough in home computing. To sweeten the deal, select configurations even offered video input and TV capabilities, a feature considered ahead of its time in the consumer market.
Bundled with the Power Macintosh 5200 LC came a software suite that resonated with creatives and productivity enthusiasts alike. Features Mac OS 7.5.1, Finder 7.5.1, LaserWriter 8.2, Apple Guide, AppleScript, ColorSync 1.0.5, QuickDraw GX, CD-ROM with Apple CD-ROM and Foreign File Access, Apple Photo Access, QuickTime 2.0, Speech Manager 1.3, and Adobe Type Manager 3.8.3, it was a treasure trove of powerful tools.
Unfortunately, the Power Macintosh 5200 LC and its consumer counterpart, the Performa 5200CD, were only available in North America. Despite its limitations and relatively short shelf life, the Power Macintosh 5200 LC’s legacy endures.
The Power Macintosh 5200 LC stands as an emblem of Apple’s rich history and the progress of technology over the years. For those who experienced its all-in-one charm, it remains an indelible memory of Apple’s formative years. For others, it symbolizes how far we’ve come, reflecting on the leaps and bounds in computing technology. As we celebrate its 29-year anniversary, let us acknowledge the Power Macintosh 5200 LC’s enduring significance in shaping the path of personal computing, forever etched in Apple’s illustrious history.
Power Macintosh 5200 LC Details
| Introduced | April 3, 1995 |
| Discontinued | April 13, 1996 |
| Model Identifier | 41 |
| Model Number | M3872 |
| Order Number | M3947LL/A M3947LL/B M3917LL/A |
| Original Price | $2,000 |
| Colors | Platinum |
| Weight | 45 Ibs. 20.411 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 |
Power Mac 5200 LC Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | PowerPC 603 |
| Processor Speed | 75 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 37.5 MHz |
| Cache | 16 KB L1 256 KB L2 |
| Coprocessor | Built-in FPU |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 500 MB |
| Media | 1 – 1.44 MB Floppy 1 – 2x CD-ROM or 4x CD-ROM (Optional) |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 8 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 64 MB |
| Memory Slots | 2 – 72 pin SIMM |
| Minimum Speed | 80 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 | Optional DB-15 |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | 1 – LC PDS (Cache Bus) 1 – Comm. Slot 1 – Video I/O 1 – TV Tuner |
| Hard Drive Interface | ATA |
Connections
| Ethernet | None |
| 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 | 1 – DB-15 (Optional) |
Software
| Original OS | System Software 7.5.1 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS 9.1 |
| Firmware | Macintosh ROM |
Power
| Backup Battery | 4.5 V Alkaline |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 125 W |
| Line Voltage | 100-240 V |
Further Reading and References
- Power Macintosh 5200/75 LC: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Power Macintosh 5200 LC – Wikipedia
- Powermac 5200/75mHz Computer (ForeverMac Archive) – Internet Archive
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: August 7, 2023
