Apple Macintosh IIx Specs
All Macintosh Models | All 1988 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others
The Apple Macintosh IIx features a 16 MHz 68030 processor, a 68882 FPU, 1 MB or 4 MB of RAM, a 40 MB or an 80 MB hard drive, and the option of an Apple Macintosh II video card in an easy-to-expand desktop case.
The Macintosh IIx uses the same "Open Mac" case as the Macintosh II, but shipped standard with a faster processor and a faster FPU -- it was the first Mac to ship with the 68030 processor and the 68882 FPU -- as well as dual 1.44 MB disk drives. It also requires significantly less "tinkering" to upgrade the RAM and other internal components.
Click on the category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
| Introduction Date: |
September 19, 1988 |
Discontinued Date: |
October 15, 1990 |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
Also see: All Macs introduced in 1988. |
| Processor Speed: |
16 MHz |
Processor Type: |
68030 |
| Details: |
This model has a 32-bit processor and a 32-bit data path. |
| Processor Upgrade: |
N/A |
FPU: |
68882 |
| System Bus Speed: |
16 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
N/A |
| ROM Type: |
Macintosh ROM |
ROM Size: |
256k* |
| Details: |
*The Macintosh IIx ROM is "32-bit dirty." |
| L1 Cache: |
0.5k |
L2 Cache: |
N/A |
| RAM Type: |
30-pin SIMM* |
Min. RAM Speed: |
120 ns |
| Details: |
*PAL SIMMs required for 4 MB and larger capacities. |
| Standard RAM: |
1 MB, 4 MB |
Maximum RAM: |
128 MB* |
| Details: |
*With 32-bit addressing and the MODE32 system extension this model is capable of supporting 128 MB of RAM (16 MB SIMMs in all eight slots).
Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
8* |
| Details: |
*RAM SIMMs must be installed in groups of four. |
| Video Card: |
Video Card* |
VRAM Type: |
Video Card* |
| Details: |
*The standard video card options for the Macintosh IIx had either 256k or 512k of VRAM and supported multiple resolutions. |
| Standard VRAM: |
256k, 512k* |
Maximum VRAM: |
256k, 512k* |
| Details: |
*The standard video card options for the Macintosh IIx had 256k or 512k of VRAM, but numerous third-party video cards also were available. |
| Display Support: |
Up to 6 Displays* |
Resolution Support: |
512x384, 640x480* |
| Details: |
*The Macintosh IIx can support multiple displays -- originally at great cost -- using multiple video cards in NuBus expansion slots. The Macintosh IIx also can support multiple resolutions, 512x384 and 640x480 are common. Portrait (vertical orientation) displays also were popular. |
| 2nd Display Support: |
Dual/Mirroring* |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
Variable* |
| Details: |
*This model can support multiple displays with multiple video cards. |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
40 MB, 80 MB* |
Int. HD Interface: |
SCSI |
| Details: |
*The Macintosh IIx was offered with a 40 MB or an 80 MB internal SCSI hard drive. |
| Standard Optical: |
None |
Standard Disk: |
1.44 MB x2 (Auto)* |
| Details: |
*Second floppy drive optional. |
| Standard Modem: |
None |
Standard Ethernet: |
None |
| Expansion Slots: |
6 NuBus |
Expansion Bays: |
None* |
| Details: |
*There are no free expansion bays with dual disk drives and one hard drive installed. Third-party products were available to install additional and other storage options. |
| Case Type: |
Desktop |
Form Factor: |
Macintosh II |
| Apple Order No: |
M5280* |
Apple Subfamily: |
Macintosh IIx |
| Details: |
*M5280 refers to a configuration with 1 MB of RAM and a single 1.44 MB floppy drive. M5830 refers to a configuration with 4 MB of RAM, a 1.44 MB floppy drive, and an 80 MB hard drive with the Mac System installed and M5850 refers to the same configuration but with the A/UX operating system installed. |
| Apple Model No: |
M5840 |
Gestalt ID: |
7 |
| Details: |
N/A
Also see: All Macs with the M5840 Model Number and 7 Gestalt ID.
For more about identifiers and how to locate them on modern Macs, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section. |
| Battery Type: |
3.6V Lithium (x2) |
Battery Life: |
N/A |
| Original Mac OS: |
6.0.1 |
Supported Mac OS: |
6.0.1-7.5.1, 7.5.3-7.5.5 |
| Details: |
Earlier and later versions of the Macintosh System/Finder and Mac OS are not supported. |
| Dimensions: |
5.5 x 18.7 x 14.4 |
Avg. Weight: |
24.0 lbs (10.9 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth, (14 cm, 47.5 cm, 36.6 cm). |
| Original Price (US): |
US$7800, US$9300 |
Est. Current Retail: |
N/A* |
| Details: |
*As a collector's item, this model may still retain value.
Photo Credit: MacUser Magazine (Radius Advertisement). |
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