{"id":25927,"date":"2026-08-27T14:54:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T18:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/?page_id=25927"},"modified":"2026-08-31T11:41:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T15:41:03","slug":"vin211","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin211\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple Macintosh LC II"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        Apple Macintosh LC II\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                                    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Macintosh LC II was a compact, comparatively affordable colour Macintosh that brought a 16 MHz Motorola 68030 and 4 MB of RAM to Apple\u2019s education and home-oriented LC line in 1992. It became especially notable for making the Macintosh experience more reachable for classrooms and families, including support for the Apple IIe compatibility card.<\/p>\n\n\n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\">Vintage Computing Collection<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[Vin211]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_182457525-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"Macintosh LC II\" class=\"wp-image-25931\" style=\"width:479px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_182457525-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_182457525-512x384.jpg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_182457525-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_182457525-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_182457525-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_182457525-2048x1538.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong>: Apple Computer Inc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Model<\/strong>: Macintosh LC II<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Released<\/strong>: March 23, 1992<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: Personal Desktop Computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost at release<\/strong>: ~$4,000 (adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MIPS<\/strong>: 3.9<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"hardware-specifications\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169789978 BCX0\">Hardware Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>CPU<\/strong>: Motorola 68030, 16 MHz (32-bit)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Data bus<\/strong>: 16-bit, despite the CPU\u2019s 32-bit internal architecture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">ROM<\/strong>: 512 KB.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Memory<\/strong>: 4 MB RAM soldered to the logic board. \n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maximum memory: 10 MB RAM, using one 72-pin SIMM expansion socket; this low maximum was one of the LC II\u2019s notable constraints. 2<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4-bit and 32-bit addressing modes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Floppy drive<\/strong>: Built-in 1.44 MB SuperDrive, with automatic disk insertion\/ejection mechanism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Hard drive<\/strong>: Optional internal SCSI hard disk, commonly supplied in configurations such as 40 MB or 80 MB.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Internal storage interface: SCSI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Expansion<\/strong>: One LC Processor Direct Slot (PDS), used for options such as Ethernet, video cards, accelerators, or Apple IIe compatibility hardware.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Video<\/strong>: Built-in video output through a DB-15 monitor connector; capable of colour output, with available resolutions and colour depth dependent on installed video RAM and monitor. 256 KB VRAM fitted as standard, expandable to 512 KB VRAM.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keyboard and mouse interface: One Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Serial ports<\/strong>: Two Mini-DIN-8 serial ports\u2014printer and modem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Networking<\/strong>: AppleTalk supported through the serial ports; Ethernet required an optional expansion card or external adapter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">SCSI port<\/strong>: One external DB-25 SCSI connector for hard drives, scanners, CD-ROM drives, and other peripherals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Audio<\/strong>: Monophonic audio input and output; one mono output jack for headphones or external speakers and one mono input for microphone or line input.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"operating-system-programming-languages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW50331614 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW50331614 BCX0\">Operating System &amp; Programming Languages<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW50331614 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\"><strong>O<\/strong>perating Systems<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Original operating system: System 7.0.1.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supported versions: System 7.1, 7.5, 7.5.1, 7.5.3, 7.5.5, 7.6, and 7.6.1.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Architecture: Classic 68k Macintosh software environment, built around the Motorola 68030 processor rather than later PowerPC Macs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>User interface: Finder-based graphical desktop with menus, icons, windows, drag-and-drop file management, AppleTalk networking, and support for applications running from floppy disks, SCSI hard drives, CD-ROMs, or network servers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practical limitation: With only 4 MB RAM standard and a 10 MB maximum, System 7 was usable but could feel constrained with several applications open; more RAM substantially improved the experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Programming Languages<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>C &#8211; THINK C, MPW C, Metrowerks CodeWarrior<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C++ &#8211; THINK C++ and Metrowerks CodeWarrior<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pascal \/ Object Pascal &#8211; THINK Pascal, MPW Pascal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BASIC &#8211; Microsoft BASIC and other Macintosh BASIC interpreters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>HyperTalk &#8211; HyperCard scripting for interactive stacks, education, multimedia, and simple games<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AppleScript &#8211; Automation and application scripting under System 7.1 or later<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Motorola 68000-family assembly &#8211; 68000\/68020\/68030 assembly via MPW and assembler tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FORTRAN &#8211; Scientific and numerical programming via third-party Mac compilers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lisp &#8211; Including Macintosh Common Lisp<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modula-2 &#8211; Structured-programming and education-oriented development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prolog &#8211; Logic programming and AI\/education experimentation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"notables\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Notables<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Released on 23 March 1992 and discontinued less than a year later, on 15 March 1993 that&#8217;s a very short lifespan before the LC III replaced it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Part of Apple\u2019s LC family, commonly understood as \u201cLow-Cost Color,\u201d created to bring colour Macintosh computing to schools, homes, and entry-level offices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Often called a \u201cpizza-box Mac\u201d because of its thin, wide, low-profile desktop case because an early precursor in spirit to later compact Apple desktops such as the Mac mini.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It used a 16 MHz Motorola 68030, but its 16-bit data bus held it back. This led vintage-Mac enthusiasts to describe it as a \u201ccompromised Mac\u201d: a 32-bit CPU paired with a budget-oriented architecture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The LC II became notorious for offering only modest real-world speed gains over the original 16 MHz 68020-based Macintosh LC, despite the newer 68030 processor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its important practical improvement was better support for System 7, including virtual memory, making it more useful for the increasingly demanding early-1990s Macintosh software environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It helped carry the Macintosh interface, colour graphics, HyperCard, desktop publishing, and multimedia software into classrooms at a lower entry price than Apple\u2019s higher-end Macintosh II and Quadra models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apple reused essentially the same design under several retail-oriented names: Macintosh Performa 400, 405, 410, and 430. The variants typically changed bundled software, monitor inclusion, hard-disk size, or video memory rather than fundamentally changing the computer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Performa rebranding is historically notable: Apple packaged existing LC hardware with consumer software and sold it through ordinary retail stores in colourful boxes, rather than relying only on specialist computer dealers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Donated By<\/strong>: School for Studies in Arts &amp; Culture<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\">Vintage Computing Collection<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Apple&amp;apos;s Famous Sitcom Infomercial from 1994 \u2022 FULL Half-Hour\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZIC-O89e4QE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[Vin211] Hardware Specifications Operating System &amp; Programming Languages&nbsp; Notables Donated By: School for Studies in Arts &amp; Culture<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":591,"featured_media":0,"parent":19704,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[130,123],"class_list":["post-25927","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","cu_page_type-mac","cu_page_type-vintage-inventory"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25927","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/591"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25927"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25927\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25993,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25927\/revisions\/25993"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25927"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=25927"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}