2023 Author: Gordon Kinson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 08:36
The Macintosh Centris computer models, which were released in 1993, were the center of the entire Macintosh lineup of that time. While they weren't nearly as powerful as the Macintosh Quadra in terms of performance, they were more affordable.
At the same time, Centris were more expensive, more powerful and more productive than the Macintosh Performa line, partly thanks to the new at that time processors from Motorola - 68LC040 and 68040. We can say that Macintosh Centris were the golden mean of the entire line of Apple personal computers.
The Macintosh Centris line was represented by three models: Centris 610, Centris 650 and Centris 660AV.
Centris 610
The Centris 610 was an excellent personal computer for the middle class. However, very soon it was decided to rename the Centris 610 to Quadra 610 and equip it with a new processor - instead of a 20 MHz 68LC040 processor, a 25 MHz 68040 processor was installed.
The body of this model was completely new, many compared it to a pizza box, in part due to the fact that the body was located horizontally and a monitor was placed on top.
The Centris 610 was priced at $ 2,520. It came with System 7.1 and was upgradeable to a newer version. The video had 512KB of VRAM expandable up to 1MB. Supported Resolution: 512 x 384, 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 832 x 624, 832 x 624, 1024 x 768, 1152 x 870. High resolution and 16 bit could only be applied on a 1 MB video adapter.
Other technical characteristics:
- processor frequency: 20-25 MHz, cache 8 KB L1, number of cores - one;
- coprocessor: no;
- system bus: 20 MHz;
- hard disk: 80 - 500 MB;
- 2x CD-ROM, floppy drive;
- built-in memory: 4 MB;
- the maximum allowable amount of RAM: 68 MB;
- original OS: System 7.1, upgradeable up to Mac OS 8.1;
- weight: 6.3 kg with dimensions: 3.4 "x 16.3" x 15.6 ".
As soon as the Quadra 610 and Power Macintosh 6100 hit the market, customers were asked to upgrade the Centris 610 by purchasing a new motherboard. However, the idea was not successful due to the excessive cost of the new board.
Centris 650
After the announcement of the Macintosh Centris series, some Apple consumers were confused. The new models were so similar to the Macintosh Quadra that users did not find any difference between them, and sometimes considered them the same device, just with different names. With this in mind, Apple decided to rename all Centris models to Quadra. Thus, a similar fate befell the Centris 650 - it was renamed Quadra 650. The processor was also updated: from 25 MHz to 33 MHz.
Prices for Centris 650 computers started at $ 2,700. The nominal version was equipped with a 4MB RAM module and a Motorola 68LC040 processor. The upgraded package included 8 megabytes of memory, a Motorola 68040 processor, and an AAUI port, which made it possible to connect to Ethernet. There was also a video adapter with 1 MB VRAM, which could reproduce 16-bit colors at 640x480 resolution. At the same time, Apple began to implement the new Quicktime video standard and support for 16-bit colors for computers was a huge plus.
Technical characteristics:
- Processor: Motorola 68040 with a frequency of 25-33 MHz, cache 8 KB L1, the number of cores - one;
- coprocessor: FPU;
- system bus: 25 MHz;
- hard drive: 80-500 MB;
- 2x CD-ROM, floppy drive;
- built-in memory: 4/8 MB;
- the maximum allowable memory size: 132/136 MB;
- original OS: System 7.1, upgradeable up to Mac OS 8.1;
- weight: 25 kg;
- overall dimensions: 6 "x 13" x 16.5 ".
Centris 660AV
Macintosh Centris 660AV was launched in 1993, in the month of July. They called it "Tempest". In October of that year, a sad fate befell the entire Centris line - it was discontinued, and the Centris 660AV was successfully renamed the Quadra 660AV.
The design was inherited from other computers in the Centris line - the same box resembling a pizza package. The 660AV was equipped with a Motorola 68040 processor, an AT&T 3210 digital signal processor operating at 55 MHz, which in turn provided unique video input and output capabilities. Specifications like these gave this computer the status of a powerful video processing tool.
Some of the Centris 660AV models had an auto-inject drive similar to the Centris 610. Still, most of the Centris 660AV models and all Quadra computers were equipped with a more modern drive, reminiscent of the Power Macintosh 6100.
One of the unique features of the Centris 660AV was the introduction of a ROM module, codenamed "SuperMario", used in PowerPC computers.
Technical characteristics:
- processor: Motorola 68040 with a frequency of 25 MHz, cache 8 KB L1, the number of cores - one.
- coprocessor: FPU;
- system bus: 25 MHz;
- hard drive: 80, 230 or 500 MB;
- 2x CD-ROM, floppy drive;
- built-in memory: 4 MB;
- the maximum allowable memory size: 36 MB;
- original OS: System 7.1 (System Enabler 088 v1.0) upgradeable up to Mac OS 8.1.
Summing up, I would like to note that the confusion among consumers caused by the similarity of the technical characteristics of Centris and Quadra almost immediately put an end to the future of the entire line of Centris computers. However, Apple almost immediately got its bearings in the current situation and released the more modern and powerful Quadra to replace the Centris. Only the Centris 660AV remained a black sheep, which did not receive any technical updates, only changing its name.
The history of these computers ends in 1994. The Quadra 610 was discontinued in July, the Quadra 650 and Quadra 660AV in September.
They had no successors, except for the Quadra 660AV - the Power Macintosh 6100 is considered to be the successor of its kind. Otherwise, the Power Macintosh 7100 computer, which had a similar design and was sold to the same target audience, was much more successful at that time.
See also:
Computer Apple I. (Issue 1).
Apple II computer. 1977 year. (Issue 2).
Apple II Plus computer. 1979 year. (Issue 3).
Apple III computer. 1980 year. (Issue 4).
Apple IIe computer. 1981 year. (Issue 5).
Lisa computer. 1983 year. (Issue 6).
Macintosh computer (512K / Plus / Ke). 1985 year. (Issue 7).
Apple IIc computer 1984. (issue 8).
Apple IIGS computer 1986. (issue 9).
Apple device evolution. Macintosh SE and Macinosh II 1987. (issue 10).
Apple device evolution. Macintosh Portable computer 1989. (issue 11).
Apple device evolution. Macintosh computers: IIfx, Classic, LC, IIse (release 12).
Apple device evolution. 1991 computers: Quadra 700, 900 (issue 13).
Apple device evolution. Macintosh PowerBook Tim, Tim LC and Asahi. 1990 - 1994 (Issue 14).
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