Apple Macintosh Quadra 900 Specs
All Macintosh Quadra Models | All 1991 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others
Promoted as "up to twice as fast as the Macintosh IIfx," the Apple Macintosh Quadra 900 features a 25 MHz 68040 processor, 4 MB of RAM, and either no hard drive (just a 1.44 MB floppy disk drive) or a floppy disk and a 160 MB or 400 MB hard drive in a gigantic tower case design.
Most notably, the Quadra 900 was the first Macintosh to come in a proper tower case and accordingly packed sixteen RAM slots, three drive bays, and five NuBus slots to offer numerous expansion options.
In the picture, the Quadra 900 is on the left and the Quadra 700 is on the right.
Click on the category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
Introduction Date: |
October 21, 1991 |
Discontinued Date: |
May 18, 1992 |
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 1991. |
Processor Speed: |
25 MHz* |
Processor Type: |
68040 |
Details: |
*The Macintosh Quadra 900 has a 32-bit processor and a 32-bit data path. Sometimes this model is designated as having a 50 MHz processor, since the clock input runs at 50 MHz. However, the processor itself is not "clock doubled," so technically it only is a 25 MHz processor. |
Processor Upgrade: |
Third-Party* |
FPU: |
Integrated |
System Bus Speed: |
25 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
N/A |
ROM Type: |
Macintosh ROM |
ROM Size: |
1 MB |
L1 Cache: |
8k |
L2 Cache: |
N/A |
RAM Type: |
30-pin SIMM |
Min. RAM Speed: |
80 ns |
Standard RAM: |
4 MB |
Maximum RAM: |
256 MB* |
Details: |
*Apple officially supports 64 MB of RAM in this model, but third-parties have been able to upgrade it to 256 MB with sixteen 16 MB SIMMs.
Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs. |
Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
16* |
Details: |
*Four identical RAM SIMMs must be installed in a group. |
Video Card: |
Dedicated* |
VRAM Type: |
VRAM SIMM* |
Details: |
*This model has four 80 ns VRAM SIMM slots. |
Standard VRAM: |
1 MB* |
Maximum VRAM: |
2 MB* |
Details: |
*1 MB of VRAM onboard. Four slots support 256k 80 ns VRAM SIMMs for a maximum total of as much as 2 MB of VRAM. 512k VRAM SIMMs can be installed, but four identical ones must be installed and the system can only use 256k of each SIMM. |
Display Support: |
Single Display* |
Resolution Support: |
512x384-1152x870* |
Details: |
*By default, the Macintosh Quadra 900 only supports a single display, but a second one can be supported with the addition of a compatible NuBus video card. The onboard video can support 512x384 at 24-bit and 640x480, 832x624 and 1152x870 at 8-bit. With 2 MB of VRAM installed, it can support up to 832x624 at 24-bit and 1152x870 at 8-bit. |
2nd Display Support: |
Single Display* |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
Variable* |
Details: |
*This model can support a second display with the addition of a video card. By default, it only supports a single display. |
Standard Hard Drive: |
160 MB, 400 MB* |
Int. HD Interface: |
SCSI |
Details: |
*By default, this model is configured with either no hard drive, a 160 MB or 400 MB hard drive. All are SCSI. |
Standard Optical: |
None* |
Standard Disk: |
1.44 MB (Auto) |
Details: |
*A front-facing 5.25" drive bay is designed to support a CD-ROM drive, but one was not installed by default. |
Standard Modem: |
None |
Standard Ethernet: |
AAUI-15 |
Details: |
AAUI-15 Ethernet standard. |
Expansion Slots: |
1 040 PDS, 5 NuBus* |
Expansion Bays: |
2 (5.25")** |
Details: |
*Three NuBus slots provide 15-watts of power and two provide 25-watts of power.
**If a hard drive is not installed, a third internal bay is available. |
Case Type: |
Tower |
Form Factor: |
Mac Quadra 900 |
Apple Order No: |
M4210LL/A* |
Apple Subfamily: |
Macintosh Quadra 900 |
Details: |
*M4210LL/A refers to the configuration with just a floppy drive. Configured with a 160 MB hard drive, the order number is M4230LL/A. |
Apple Model No: |
M4200 |
Gestalt ID: |
20 |
Details: |
Please note that these identifiers commonly refer to multiple models.
Also see: All Macs with the M4200 Model Number and 20 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 |
Battery Life: |
N/A |
Original Mac OS: |
7.0.1 |
Supported Mac OS: |
7.0.1-7.5.1, 7.5.3-8.1 |
Details: |
Earlier and later versions of the Macintosh System/Finder and Mac OS are not supported. |
Dimensions: |
18.6 x 8.9 x 20.6 |
Avg. Weight: |
36.8 lbs (11.5 kg) |
Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth, (47.2 cm, 22.6 cm, 52.3 cm). |
Original Price (US): |
US$7200, US$8500 |
Est. Current Retail: |
N/A |
Details: |
Photo Credit: Apple Computer, Inc (MacUser Advertisement). |
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