{"id":25933,"date":"2026-08-27T15:06:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T19:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/?page_id=25933"},"modified":"2026-08-31T11:25:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T15:25:27","slug":"vin212","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin212\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple Macintosh Performa 450"},"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 Performa 450 \n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                                    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Macintosh Performa 450 was Apple\u2019s consumer rebadge of the 1993 Macintosh LC III. It is a slim \u201cpizza box\u201d color Mac with a 25 MHz Motorola 68030, a true 32-bit memory bus, and RAM expansion to 36 MB aproximately twice as fast as the earlier LC II \/ Performa 400 family, at a price that undercut far more expensive Macs like the IIci.<\/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\">[vin212]<\/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_181953194-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"Macintosh Performa 450\" class=\"wp-image-25929\" style=\"width:458px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_181953194-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_181953194-512x384.jpg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_181953194-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_181953194-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_181953194-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/PXL_20260827_181953194-2048x1538.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 Performa 450 (M1254)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Released<\/strong>: April 12, 1993<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: Personal Desktop Computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost at release<\/strong>: ~$4,250 (adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MIPS<\/strong>: 6.3<\/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, 25 MHz (32-bit)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RAM<\/strong>: 4 MB expandable to 36 MB<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">ROM<\/strong>: 1 MB Macintosh ROM.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Standard hard drive<\/strong>: 120 MB, 3.5-inch internal SCSI hard disk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Floppy drive<\/strong>: Built-in 1.44 MB automatic-inject floppy drive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">CD-ROM drive<\/strong>: None supplied; no internal CD-ROM support specified.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Standard video memory<\/strong>: 512 KB VRAM soldered on the motherboard. Maximum video memory: 768 KB VRAM, using one 256 KB VRAM SIMM expansion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Display support<\/strong>: One external monitor through Apple\u2019s 15-pin DB-15 video port. With standard VRAM, it could display 16-bit colour at 512 \u00d7 384 or 640 \u00d7 480, and 8-bit colour at 832 \u00d7 624; with 768 KB VRAM, it could reach 16-bit colour at 832 \u00d7 624.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Second-display option<\/strong>: Possible with an LC III PDS video card.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">External Ports<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ADB port: One Apple Desktop Bus port for keyboard and mouse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SCSI port: One external DB-25 SCSI port.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serial ports: Two Mini-DIN-8 serial ports, labelled printer and modem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Audio<\/strong>: 8-bit mono audio output and built-in omnidirectional microphone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Power supply<\/strong>: 100\u2013240 V AC, 47\u201363 Hz, maximum 50 W.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Weight<\/strong>: 4.0 kg (8.8 lbs) for the computer itself, not including monitor, keyboard, mouse or other peripherals.<\/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 OS: System 7.1P2, supplied for the Performa 405, 430, and 450 release group on April 12, 1993.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>System family: Classic Macintosh System Software \/ classic Mac OS, built for Motorola 68000-series (\u201c68k\u201d) Macs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practical later OS choice: Mac OS 7.5.3 or 7.6.1, depending on available RAM and desired software compatibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Official practical ceiling: Mac OS 7.6.1, the final classic Mac OS release intended for 68030-based systems such as the Performa 450.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Programming Languages<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>C: A principal language for Macintosh application and system development, using environments such as Macintosh Programmer\u2019s Workshop (MPW C), THINK C, and later Metrowerks CodeWarrior.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C++: Supported through tools such as Symantec C++ and Metrowerks CodeWarrior; practical for later System 7-era application development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pascal: An especially important early Macintosh language, using Apple\/MPW Pascal, THINK Pascal, or Borland Turbo Pascal. Much of the original Macintosh developer documentation and Toolbox interface tradition was Pascal-oriented.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Motorola 68000 assembly language: The Performa 450\u2019s 68030 executed 68k machine code, so assembly could be used for drivers, system extensions, games, demos, and speed-critical routines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BASIC: Third-party BASIC environments, including Microsoft BASIC, True BASIC, and later Realbasic variants, could be used for learning and general programming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>HyperTalk: HyperCard\u2019s built-in, English-like scripting language, particularly important for educational software, interactive stacks, prototypes, and multimedia projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AppleScript: Apple\u2019s automation and application-scripting language, included with System 7\u2019s AppleScript tools.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modula-2: Available through Macintosh implementations such as Metrowerks Modula-2.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fortran: Available through developer tools such as MPW Fortran, mainly for scientific, engineering, and numerical work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Logo: Available through educational Macintosh Logo implementations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Perl: Usable through period Macintosh ports, subject to the memory and System 7 version available.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early Python: Vintage MacPython releases can run on suitable System 7 installations, though the Performa\u2019s modest standard 4 MB RAM makes this more practical after a RAM upgrade.<\/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>Essentially an LC III in consumer clothes: Apple confirmed that the Performa 450 and Macintosh LC III used identical logic boards, power supplies, and floppy mechanisms; the main distinctions were configuration, bundled software, and retail positioning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nickname and form factor: It belongs to the slim, horizontal \u201cpizza-box\u201d Macintosh family, a nickname inspired by its low, wide desktop enclosure. Its LC III sibling was code-named \u201cVail\u201d and \u201cElsie III.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An unusually important \u201cfirst\u201d: Its underlying LC III platform was Apple\u2019s first Macintosh to use 72-pin SIMM&#8217;s, a memory standard that became widespread across 1990s personal computers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A rare Roman numeral: The LC III was Apple\u2019s first computer officially named with the Roman numeral \u201cIII\u201d since the commercially unsuccessful Apple III, lending the model an unusual historical naming footnote.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A meaningful low-end speed jump: The 25 MHz 68030 made it roughly twice as fast as the 16 MHz LC II\/earlier Performa systems, while adding a full 32-bit memory path and a theoretical RAM ceiling of 36 MB. MacUser called the LC III a significant low-end entry because of its speed and memory gains.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A subtle graphics trick: With its standard 512 KB VRAM, it could produce 16-bit colour on a 640 \u00d7 480 display only by selecting the less-common 640 \u00d7 400 mode and restarting, a memorable System 7-era configuration quirk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Part of Apple\u2019s Performa retail experiment: The Performa line aimed at mainstream home buyers rather than Apple\u2019s traditional education and specialist-dealer customers. Apple sold familiar Macintosh hardware under new Performa names, with consumer software and documentation bundles tailored to retail stores.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Briefly marketed, historically representative: The Performa 450 was sold from April to November 1993, making it a short-lived model; its historical value comes less from market dominance than from representing Apple\u2019s proliferating, confusing early-1990&#8217;s consumer product line.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Donated By<\/strong>: T. Warren Christopher<\/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-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1375\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/apple_performa_kids_large.jpg\" alt=\"Apple Performa Kids Apple Ad\" class=\"wp-image-25986\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/apple_performa_kids_large.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/apple_performa_kids_large-512x704.jpg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/apple_performa_kids_large-320x440.jpg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/2026\/08\/apple_performa_kids_large-768x1056.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vin212] Hardware Specifications Operating System &amp; Programming Languages&nbsp; Notables Donated By: T. Warren Christopher<\/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-25933","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\/25933","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=25933"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25933\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25990,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25933\/revisions\/25990"}],"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=25933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=25933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}