July 18, 1994: Apple launches the Quadra, LC and Performa 630 Macintoshes, three related computer systems with slight variations tailor-made for the skilled, academic and markets. Aimed toward multimedia use, the brand new 630 sequence Macs deliver revolutionary {hardware} and software program at a way more reasonably priced value than earlier Apple computer systems.
630 sequence Macs: All issues to all folks
Consumers may configure the brand new 630 sequence Macs for lower than $2,000. Whereas the thought of paying greater than $4,200 (adjusted for inflation) for a good multimedia laptop sounds excessive in the present day, in 1994, these new Macs appeared like a complete steal.
The earlier top-end Macs — the Quadra 700 and Quadra 900 — value between $6,000 and $8,500. That’s the equal of between $12,700 and $18,000 in 2024 {dollars}.
Apple needed to deliver down this value whereas nonetheless giving customers the power to faucet into thrilling new applied sciences like a CD-ROM drive, model 2.0 of the QuickTime multimedia software program, and a comm slot for a modem or Ethernet card.
Apple provides multimedia {hardware} for Macs
Cupertino additionally launched three new multimedia add-ons, {hardware} that gave the brand new 630 sequence Macs a spread of capabilities:
- Apple Video card supplied composite video, S-video enter, audio in, video overlay and a 320×240 video window.
- Apple Video/TV added a tv tuner and distant management for TV and CD-ROM to primary Apple Video.
- The high-end Apple Presentation System let customers ship video to large-screen TVs and print to VCR tapes.
The large distinction between the Quadra and the opposite two fashions got here all the way down to the processors inside. The Quadra 630 was the final Mac designed across the Motorola 68040 processor, whereas a less expensive Motorola 68LC040 powered the LC and Performa variations. All of them ran at 33 MHz.
In all, the 630 sequence Macs have been good — if not essentially inspiring — computer systems. Apple tried to enchantment to common clients with these kitted-out multimedia Macs. The education- and home-oriented fashions — the LC and the Performa respectively — have been much less highly effective than the pro-oriented Quadra mannequin. Nevertheless, they proved extra profitable than the enterprise model. Many thought of the high-end Quadra underpowered for its customers’ primary duties.
Apple continued to stroll this line over time, making an attempt to be all issues to all folks with out pushing too far in anyone route.
Did you personal a Quadra, LC or Performa 630 Mac? Inform us the way you used these multimedia Macs within the feedback part under.