Release date | June 28, 1993 |
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Introductory price | US$2,000 (equivalent to $3,316 in 2016) |
Discontinued | February 3, 1994 |
Operating system | System 7.1-Mac OS 7.6.1, or with 68040 upgrade, Mac OS 8.1 |
CPU | Motorola 68030 @ 25 MHz |
Memory | 5 MB, expandable to 36 MB (80 ns 72-pin SIMM) |
Release date | October 18, 1993 (MP550) February 2, 1994 (MLC550) |
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Introductory price | 1200 - 2500 |
Discontinued | March 23, 1995 |
Operating system | System 7.1-System 7.5, Mac OS 7.5.1-Mac OS 7.6.1 |
CPU | Motorola 68030 @ 33 MHz |
Memory | 5 MB, expandable to 36 MB (80 ns 72-pin SIMM) |
Release date | February 1, 1994 |
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Introductory price | 1700 - 2500 |
Discontinued | April 1, 1996 |
Operating system | Mac OS 7.1.1 to 7.5.1, 7.5.3 to 7.6.1, 8.0 to 8.1 |
CPU | Motorola 68LC040 @ 33 MHz |
Memory | 5 MB, expandable to 68 MB (80 ns 72-pin SIMM) |
Release date | April 1, 1995 |
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Introductory price | 1300 - 1500 |
Discontinued | May 1, 1996 |
Operating system | System 7.1.2P, 7.5 to 7.5.1, 7.5.3 to 7.6.1, 8.0 to 8.1 |
CPU | Motorola 68LC040 @ 33 MHz |
Memory | 8 MB, expandable to 68 MB (80 ns 72-pin SIMM) |
The Macintosh LC 500 series is a series of personal computers that were a part of Apple Computer's LC line of Macintosh computers. It was Apple's mid-1990s upper low end-range series, positioned below the Centris and Quadra but above the Classic II and Color Classic models. All of these computers were also sold under the Macintosh Performa brand, in some cases under slightly different model numbers. These computers all shared the same all-in-one desktop case that included a 14" CRT display, CD-ROM drive, and stereo speakers. Designed as a successor to the compact all-in-one Macintosh, the case was reminiscent of Apple's earlier Compact Macintosh series but considerably larger and bulkier, with a larger screen (compared to the Compact's 9- or 10-inch displays) and a bulging midsection to contain the larger electronics, in stark contrast to the compact Macs' slimmer designs.
The 500 series included four main models, the 520, 550, 575, and 580, with the 520 and 550 both using different speeds of the Motorola 68030, and the 575 and 580 sharing the 33MHz Motorola 68LC040 processor but differing on the rest of the hardware. The LC models in particular became very popular in schools for their small footprint, lack of cable-clutter, and durability. The Macintosh TV is closely related to this series, using the same case (in black instead of platinum) and a logic board similar to the Macintosh LC 550. The compact Color Classic series shares many components, and is able to swap logic boards, with the early 500 series machines.
The Macintosh LC 520 (codename: "Hook") was introduced in June 1993, and was the first of the LC 500 series. The LC 500 case design was larger than the compact Macs, with a significantly larger screen. The 520 was discontinued in February 1994, when it was replaced by both the faster but otherwise essentially unchanged Macintosh LC 550 and the new, 68LC040-equipped Macintosh LC 575.