Macintosh Quadra 950
Encyclopedia
The Macintosh Quadra 950 was the third desktop computer
in Apple Computer
's Quadra
line. It was based on Motorola
's 68040
microprocessor rather than the 68LC040 (which lacked an on-board FPU). It replaced the Quadra 900, increasing the CPU clock rate from 25 MHz to 33 MHz, and improving the graphics support. The two computers were otherwise identical.
In 1993, the 950 was overtaken in performance by the less expensive Quadra 800
and 840AV
. The newer Quadras had the addition of interleaved
RAM, as well as an enhanced video system and SCSI
bus. However, their more compact (minitower) case proved difficult to work with, and the 950 (due to its enormous case) was kept in continued production for the server market, outliving the 800 and 840AV.
The Quadra 950 was discontinued in 1995, being replaced by the more powerful Power Macintosh
line of PowerPC
computers. It was one of the last 68k models to be discontinued, due to its high RAM capacity and large number of NuBus
slots.
This computer used a key
to lock the power and reset buttons, or to lock the keyboard/mouse access.
Desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright...
in Apple Computer
Apple Computer
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad...
's Quadra
Macintosh Quadra
The Macintosh Quadra series was Apple Computer's product family of professional high-end Apple Macintosh personal computers built using the Motorola 68040 CPU. The first two models in the Quadra line were introduced in 1991, and the name was used until the Power Mac was introduced in 1994...
line. It was based on Motorola
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
's 68040
Motorola 68040
The Motorola 68040 is a microprocessor from Motorola, released in 1990. It is the successor to the 68030 and is followed by the 68060. There was no 68050. In keeping with general Motorola naming, the 68040 is often referred to as simply the '040 ....
microprocessor rather than the 68LC040 (which lacked an on-board FPU). It replaced the Quadra 900, increasing the CPU clock rate from 25 MHz to 33 MHz, and improving the graphics support. The two computers were otherwise identical.
In 1993, the 950 was overtaken in performance by the less expensive Quadra 800
Macintosh Quadra 800
The Macintosh Quadra 800 is a personal computer that is a part of Apple Computer's Quadra series of Macintosh computers....
and 840AV
Macintosh Quadra 840AV
The Macintosh Quadra 840AV is a personal computer that is a part of Apple Computer's Quadra series of Macintosh computers. It was introduced in July 1993 alongside the Centris 660AV, the "AV" after both model numbers signifying video input and output capabilities, as well as enhanced audio...
. The newer Quadras had the addition of interleaved
Interleaving
In computer science and telecommunication, interleaving is a way to arrange data in a non-contiguous way to increase performance.It is typically used:* In error-correction coding, particularly within data transmission, disk storage, and computer memory....
RAM, as well as an enhanced video system and SCSI
SCSI
Small Computer System Interface is a set of standards for physically connecting and transferring data between computers and peripheral devices. The SCSI standards define commands, protocols, and electrical and optical interfaces. SCSI is most commonly used for hard disks and tape drives, but it...
bus. However, their more compact (minitower) case proved difficult to work with, and the 950 (due to its enormous case) was kept in continued production for the server market, outliving the 800 and 840AV.
The Quadra 950 was discontinued in 1995, being replaced by the more powerful Power Macintosh
Power Macintosh
Power Macintosh, later Power Mac, was a line of Apple Macintosh workstation-class personal computers based on various models of PowerPC microprocessors that were developed, marketed, and supported by Apple Inc. from March 1994 until August 2006. The first models were the Power Macintosh 6100,...
line of PowerPC
PowerPC
PowerPC is a RISC architecture created by the 1991 Apple–IBM–Motorola alliance, known as AIM...
computers. It was one of the last 68k models to be discontinued, due to its high RAM capacity and large number of NuBus
NuBus
NuBus is a 32-bit parallel computer bus, originally developed at MIT as a part of the NuMachine workstation project. The first complete implementation of the NuBus and the NuMachine was done by Western Digital for their NuMachine, and for the Lisp Machines Inc. LMI-Lambda. The NuBus was later...
slots.
This computer used a key
Key (lock)
A key is an instrument that is used to operate a lock. A typical key consists of two parts: the blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that torque can be applied by the user. The blade is usually intended to...
to lock the power and reset buttons, or to lock the keyboard/mouse access.
Specifications
- Processor: Motorola 68040
- Processor Speed: 33 MHz
- Processor Cache: 8 KiB L1
- Processor Bus Speed: 33 MHz
- Hard Drive: 230 MB - 1 GB
- Media drives: 2x CD-ROM drive, 1.44 MB floppy drive, optional DDSDC drive
- Software: Mac OS 7.1 - 8.1
- Logicboard RAM: None
- Maximum RAM: 256 MB
- Type of RAM Slots 16 - 32 pin SIMM
- Minimum RAM Speed: 80 ns
- Interleaving Support: No
- Display Connection: DB-15
- Graphics Card: None
- Graphics memory: 1 - 2 MB (four sockets)
- Expansion Slots: 5 - NuBus, 1 - PDS
- Hard Drive Bus: SCSI
- Backup Battery: 3.6 V Lithium
- Max Watts: 303 W
- Ports: AAUI-15 Ethernet, DB-25, 2 Serial, 3.5-mm mono input jack, 3.5-mm stereo output jack