Macintosh IIvx: Difference between revisions
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| ⚫ | The IIvx was described in a ''MacWorld'' magazine review as having "the best price-to-performance ratio of any computer Apple has ever built."<ref name=macworldiivx /> The list price for a machine with an {{nowrap|80 MiB}} hard drive, {{nowrap|4 MiB}} main memory, and {{nowrap|512 KB}} of video memory was US$2,949. Adding the CD-ROM and upgrading to {{nowrap|5 MiB}} of main memory and {{nowrap|1 MiB}} video memory increased the price to US$3,219, which ''Macworld'' deemed to be "the best CD-ROM drive bargain ever offered". |
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| ⚫ | The Mac IIvx began its life in development as a [[proof-of-concept]] to see how an internal CD-ROM [[optical drive|drive]] could be added to a Mac. But after Apple CEO [[John Sculley]] gave a speech at MacWorld Tokyo promising a Mac with a CD-ROM drive, the IIvx was rushed into production.<ref name=ogrady>{{cite book|last=O'Grady |first=Jason D.|year=2008|title=Apple Inc. (Corporations That Changed the World)|url=https://archive.org/details/appleinc0000ogra/mode/2up |url-access=registration |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|isbn=978-0-313-36244-6|lccn=2008038757}}</ref> Several shortcuts were taken in its design; most notably, its 32 MHz processor was crippled by a 16 MHz bus, making it slightly slower than the popular but aging [[Macintosh IIci]].<ref name=lem>{{cite web|title=Macintosh IIvx|date=October 19, 1992|publisher=Low End Mac|url=http://lowendmac.com/1992/mac-iivx/}}</ref> Its serial port was limited to 57.6 kbit/s, which could cause problems with serial connections and MIDI hardware. The [[Macintosh IIvi]] (a slower version of the IIvx with a 16 MHz processor) was introduced at the same time in some markets (though not the United States) but discontinued four months later. Representing the high end of the original [[Performa]] lineup, the Performa 600 was also based on the same architecture. The IIvx was one of the only Macintosh II models with a 32K L2 cache, following the [[Macintosh IIfx|IIfx]]'s onboard 32K cache and the [[Macintosh IIci|IIci]]'s optional 32K cache card; neither the IIvi nor the Performa 600 supported an L2 cache, despite their similarities to the IIvx. |
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| url = https://archive.org/stream/MacWorld_9304_April_1993#page/n109/mode/2up |
| url = https://archive.org/stream/MacWorld_9304_April_1993#page/n109/mode/2up |
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| title = Centris 610 & 650 - Two new midrange performers replace the venerable Mac II line |
| title = Centris 610 & 650 - Two new midrange performers replace the venerable Mac II line |
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| issue = 4 |
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| pages = 106–113 |
| pages = 106–113 |
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}}</ref> According to Apple, their lawyers were unable to complete the trademark check on the "Centris" name in time for the |
}}</ref> According to Apple, their lawyers were unable to complete the trademark check on the "Centris" name in time for the release of this computer so it ended up being sold the IIvx.<ref name=macworldcentris /> Machines bearing the Centris name were introduced a few months later. Notably the [[Macintosh Centris 650]] was released four months after the IIvx for $250 less, immediately rendering the IIvx obsolete, since the 650 was powered by the [[Motorola 68040|68040]] CPU. The IIvx's base price was slashed by more than a third.<ref name=lem/> Because of increasing competition from [[Dell]] and other PC manufacturers, prices of the IIvx continued to fall quickly; by the end of June 1993, the price of the 5/80 + CD-ROM configuration had dropped to $1,799, about half its original price.<ref>{{cite magazine |
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| ⚫ | The IIvx was described in a ''MacWorld'' magazine review as having "the best price-to-performance ratio of any computer Apple has ever built."<ref name=macworldiivx /> The list price for a machine with an {{nowrap|80 MiB}} hard drive, {{nowrap|4 MiB}} main memory, and {{nowrap|512 KB}} of video memory was US$2,949. Adding the CD-ROM and upgrading to {{nowrap|5 MiB}} of main memory and {{nowrap|1 MiB}} video memory increased the price to US$3,219, which ''Macworld'' deemed to be "the best CD-ROM drive bargain ever offered". |
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The much more powerful [[Macintosh Centris 650]] was released four months after the IIvx for $250 less, immediately rendering the IIvx obsolete. The IIvx's base price was slashed by more than a third.<ref name=lem/> Because of increasing competition from [[Dell]] and other PC manufacturers, prices of the IIvx continued to fall quickly; by the end of June 1993, the price of the 5/80 + CD-ROM configuration had dropped to $1,799, about half its original price.<ref>{{cite magazine |
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| url = https://archive.org/stream/MacWEEKV07N25/MacWEEK_V07N25#page/n31/mode/2up |
| url = https://archive.org/stream/MacWEEKV07N25/MacWEEK_V07N25#page/n31/mode/2up |
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| magazine = [[MacWEEK]] |
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}}</ref> For a while afterwards, people who bought an expensive Mac that quickly became outdated were said to have been "IIvx-ed".<ref name=ogrady/> |
}}</ref> For a while afterwards, people who bought an expensive Mac that quickly became outdated were said to have been "IIvx-ed".<ref name=ogrady/> |
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| ⚫ | The Mac IIvx began its life in development as a [[proof-of-concept]] to see how an internal CD-ROM [[optical drive|drive]] could be added to a Mac. But after Apple CEO [[John Sculley]] gave a speech at MacWorld Tokyo promising a Mac with a CD-ROM drive, the IIvx was rushed into production.<ref name=ogrady>{{cite book|last=O'Grady |first=Jason D.|year=2008|title=Apple Inc. (Corporations That Changed the World)|url=https://archive.org/details/appleinc0000ogra/mode/2up |url-access=registration |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|isbn=978-0-313-36244-6|lccn=2008038757}}</ref> Several shortcuts were taken in its design; most notably, its 32 MHz processor was crippled by a 16 MHz bus, making it slightly slower than the popular but aging [[Macintosh IIci]].<ref name=lem>{{cite web|title=Macintosh IIvx|date=October 19, 1992|publisher=Low End Mac|url=http://lowendmac.com/1992/mac-iivx/}}</ref> Its serial port was limited to 57.6 kbit/s, which could cause problems with serial connections and MIDI hardware. The [[Macintosh IIvi]] (a slower version of the IIvx with a 16 MHz processor) was introduced at the same time in some markets (though not the United States) but discontinued four months later. Representing the high end of the original [[Performa]] lineup, the Performa 600 was also based on the same architecture. The IIvx was one of the only Macintosh II models with a 32K L2 cache, following the [[Macintosh IIfx|IIfx]]'s onboard 32K cache and the [[Macintosh IIci|IIci]]'s optional 32K cache card; neither the IIvi nor the Performa 600 supported an L2 cache, despite their similarities to the IIvx. |
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| ⚫ | The Macintosh IIvx uses the same case as the [[Macintosh Performa 600]], |
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== Timelines == |
== Timelines == |
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Revision as of 20:56, 27 August 2022
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| Developer | Apple Computer |
|---|---|
| Product family | Macintosh II, Centris |
| Release date | October 19, 1992 |
| Introductory price | US$2,950 (equivalent to $6,405 in 2023) |
| Discontinued | October 21, 1993 |
| Operating system | System 7.1 - Mac OS 7.6.1 |
| CPU | Motorola 68030 @ 32 MHz |
| Memory | 4 MiB, expandable to 68 MiB (80 ns 30-pin SIMM) |
| Dimensions | Height: 6 inches (15 cm) Width: 13 inches (33 cm) Depth: 16.5 inches (42 cm) |
| Weight | 25 pounds (11 kg) |
| Successor | Macintosh Quadra 650 |
| Related | Macintosh IIvi |
The Macintosh IIvx is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from October 1992 to October 1993. It is the last of the Macintosh II family of Macintosh computers. The IIvx was introduced at the same time as the Macintosh IIvi, Performa 600 and Performa 600CD, with all four models using the same new metal case design. Like the Performa 600CD, the IIvx could be equipped with an internal double-speed CD-ROM drive.[1]
The IIvx was described in a MacWorld magazine review as having "the best price-to-performance ratio of any computer Apple has ever built."[1] The list price for a machine with an 80 MiB hard drive, 4 MiB main memory, and 512 KB of video memory was US$2,949. Adding the CD-ROM and upgrading to 5 MiB of main memory and 1 MiB video memory increased the price to US$3,219, which Macworld deemed to be "the best CD-ROM drive bargain ever offered".
Overview
The Mac IIvx began its life in development as a proof-of-concept to see how an internal CD-ROM drive could be added to a Mac. But after Apple CEO John Sculley gave a speech at MacWorld Tokyo promising a Mac with a CD-ROM drive, the IIvx was rushed into production.[2] Several shortcuts were taken in its design; most notably, its 32 MHz processor was crippled by a 16 MHz bus, making it slightly slower than the popular but aging Macintosh IIci.[3] Its serial port was limited to 57.6 kbit/s, which could cause problems with serial connections and MIDI hardware. The Macintosh IIvi (a slower version of the IIvx with a 16 MHz processor) was introduced at the same time in some markets (though not the United States) but discontinued four months later. Representing the high end of the original Performa lineup, the Performa 600 was also based on the same architecture. The IIvx was one of the only Macintosh II models with a 32K L2 cache, following the IIfx's onboard 32K cache and the IIci's optional 32K cache card; neither the IIvi nor the Performa 600 supported an L2 cache, despite their similarities to the IIvx.
Hardware
The IIvx was sold with hard drives ranging in capacity from 40 to 400 MiB, three NuBus slots, and a Processor Direct Slot.[4]
The Macintosh IIvx uses the same case as the Macintosh Performa 600, Macintosh Centris 650, Macintosh Quadra 650 (the speed-bumped refresh of the Centris 650), and Power Macintosh 7100. The IIvx can be upgraded to Centris/Quadra 650 by swapping the logic board.[5]
While the IIvx shares the model designation of other Macintosh II computers, Apple originally intended the IIvx to be the first computer in the Macintosh Centris line.[6] According to Apple, their lawyers were unable to complete the trademark check on the "Centris" name in time for the release of this computer so it ended up being sold the IIvx.[6] Machines bearing the Centris name were introduced a few months later. Notably the Macintosh Centris 650 was released four months after the IIvx for $250 less, immediately rendering the IIvx obsolete, since the 650 was powered by the 68040 CPU. The IIvx's base price was slashed by more than a third.[3] Because of increasing competition from Dell and other PC manufacturers, prices of the IIvx continued to fall quickly; by the end of June 1993, the price of the 5/80 + CD-ROM configuration had dropped to $1,799, about half its original price.[7] For a while afterwards, people who bought an expensive Mac that quickly became outdated were said to have been "IIvx-ed".[2]
Timelines
| Timeline of Macintosh II family models |
|---|
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| Timeline of Macintosh Centris, LC, Performa, and Quadra models, colored by CPU type |
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References
- ^ a b Seiter, Charles (December 1992). "Macintosh IIvx - The latest desktop Mac is a faster version of the Performa 600". Macworld. Vol. 9, no. 12. pp. 206–207.
- ^ a b O'Grady, Jason D. (2008). Apple Inc. (Corporations That Changed the World). ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-313-36244-6. LCCN 2008038757.
- ^ a b "Macintosh IIvx". Low End Mac. October 19, 1992.
- ^ "Macintosh IIvx: Technical Specifications". Apple.
- ^ "Power Macintosh 7100/80: Technical Specifications". Apple.
- ^ a b Gruman, Galen (April 1993). "Centris 610 & 650 - Two new midrange performers replace the venerable Mac II line". Macworld. Vol. 10, no. 4. pp. 106–113.
- ^ Swartz, Jon; Picarille, Lisa (June 21, 1993). "Dealers not sold on Apple rebates". MacWEEK. Vol. 7, no. 25. p. 32-34.