View source for Macintosh LC 500 series

{{Short description|Personal computer series released by Apple Computer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Multiple issues|{{More citations needed|date=April 2023}}
{{Primary sources|date=April 2023}}}}
The '''Macintosh LC 500 series''' is a series of [[personal computer]]s that were a part of [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]]'s [[Macintosh LC family]] of [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]] computers, designed as a successor to the [[compact Macintosh]] family of computers for the mid-1990s mainstream education-market. The [[All-in-one PC|all-in-one desktop]] case is similar to the then recently introduced [[Macintosh Color Classic]], but the LC 500 series is considerably bulkier and heavier due to its much larger screen and a bulging midsection to house the larger electronics, including a 14" [[Cathode-ray tube|CRT]] display, [[CD-ROM]] drive, and stereo speakers.

The LC 500 series included four main models, the '''520''', '''550''', '''575''', and '''580''', with the 520 and 550 both using different speeds of the [[Motorola 68030]], and the 575 and 580 sharing the 33&nbsp;MHz [[Motorola 68LC040]] processor but differing on the rest of the hardware.  All of these computers were also sold to the consumer market through department stores under the [[Macintosh Performa]] brand, with similar model numbers. The LC models, in particular, became very popular in schools for their small footprint, lack of cable clutter, and durability. The [[Macintosh TV]], while not branded as an LC, uses the LC 520's case (in black instead of beige) and a logic board similar to the LC 550. The compact Color Classic series shares many components, and is able to swap logic boards with the early 500 series machines.

== LC 520 ==
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Macintosh LC 520 / {{nowrap|Performa 520}}
| aka = "Hook"
| developer = [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]]
| family = [[Macintosh LC family|LC]], [[Macintosh Performa|Performa]]
| image = LC520.jpg
| caption = A Macintosh LC 520
| releasedate = {{start date|1993|06|28}}
| MSRP = {{USD|1599|1993}}
| CPU = [[Motorola 68030]]
| CPUspeed = 25 MHz
| OS = [[System 7|System 7.1]]-[[System 7#Mac OS 7.6|Mac OS 7.6.1]]<br>With 68040 upgrade, [[Mac OS 8|Mac OS 8.1]]
| RAM = 5 MB, expandable to 36 MB
| RAMtype = 80 ns 72-pin SIMM
| Display = {{convert|14|in|cm}}
| dimensions = Height: {{convert|17.9|in|cm}}<br>Width: {{convert|13.5|in|cm}}<br>Depth: {{convert|16.5|in|cm}}
| weight = {{convert|40.5|lb|kg}}
| discontinued = {{end date|1994|02|02}}
| predecessor = [[Macintosh LC III]]
| successor = [[#LC 550|Macintosh LC 550]]<br>[[#LC 575|Macintosh LC 575]]
}}

The '''Macintosh LC 520''' was introduced in June 1993. The case design was larger than the [[compact Macintosh]] models that precede it, due in large part to the significantly larger screen and CD-ROM drive.

The LC 520 got its start as a design project codenamed "Mongo". Following the success of the Color Classic, The [[Apple Industrial Design Group]] (IDg) began exploring the adaptation of the Color Classic's design language, dubbed Espresso, for a larger display version that would also include a CD-ROM drive. However, IDg hated the design so much that they permanently shelved the final concept. In 1992, Apple CEO [[John Sculley]] demanded a large-screen all-in-one design to fill out his market strategy in less than 6 months. Over IDg's objections, Apple's engineering team retrieved the shelved design and promptly put it into production. Because IDg universally detested the design, they immediately began the redesign project that would become the [[Power Macintosh 5200 LC]] series less than two years later.<ref name="Kunkel">Kunkel, Paul. AppleDesign: The work of the Apple Industrial Design Group, with photographs by Rick English. New York: Graphis, 1997, p.243</ref>

The LC 520 has been described as if you "take an LC III and graft on a 14{{pprime}} Trinitron monitor along with stereo speakers". The logic board of the 520 is broadly the same as the [[Macintosh LC III]], with a [[Motorola 68030]] CPU and an optional [[Motorola 68882]] [[floating point unit|FPU]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lowendmac.com/1993/mac-lc-520-performa-520/ | title=Mac LC 520 (Performa 520) {{pipe}} Low End Mac | access-date=September 12, 2022 | archive-date=September 12, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912024621/https://lowendmac.com/1993/mac-lc-520-performa-520/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

Peter Lewis of ''New York Times'' praised the LC 520, writing that its $1,599 price point is "perhaps the best value in the entire Macintosh product line ... it would be very difficult to put together a Windows-based PC with the same features for that price, and Windows computers are usually much less expensive than Macs". He regretted the computer's unavailability in the United States outside schools. Lewis also noted that the unit's 40-pound weight would make it difficult to carry home at night.<ref name=lewis19930817>{{cite news
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/17/science/personal-computers-apple-offers-teachers-an-extra-value-deal.html
| title = Apple Offers Teachers An Extra-Value Deal
| date = August 17, 1993
| newspaper = New York Times
| first = Peter
| last = Lewis
| url-access = limited
| access-date = December 28, 2017
| archive-date = January 18, 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180118032832/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/17/science/personal-computers-apple-offers-teachers-an-extra-value-deal.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref> While Apple did not rule out offering it to non-educational customers, ''[[MacWEEK]]'' wrote that the timing of the LC 520's release coincided with purchasing timelines for schools, and that the decision to market the computer exclusively to the education market was part of a strategic shift to move the LC brand away from retail.<ref name=macweek0726 />

The LC 520 was discontinued in February 1994, when it was replaced by both the faster but otherwise essentially unchanged Macintosh LC 550 and the new, [[Motorola 68LC040|68LC040]]-equipped Macintosh LC 575. Apple sold upgrade kits for the LC 520 that brought it to the same specifications as the LC 550 or 575.

=== Models ===
Sold only in Japan and Canada, and to U.S. educational institutions.{{r|lewis19930817}} The computer was discontinued in February 1994. Featured a caddy-loaded CD-ROM drive.

Introduced June 28, 1993:
* '''Macintosh LC 520''':<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP214
| title = Macintosh LC 520: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = October 6, 2017
| archive-date = July 29, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120729132656/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP214
| url-status = live
}}</ref> 5 MB RAM, 80 MB HDD.  U.S. educational institutions only.  US$1,599.<ref name=macweek0726>{{cite magazine
| url = https://archive.org/stream/MacWEEKV07N26/MacWEEK_V07N26#page/n3/mode/1up
| title = Release of LC 520 for education heralds shift in Apple strategy
| volume = 7
| issue = 26
| page = 4
| first = Robert
| last = Hess
| date = June 28, 1993
| magazine = [[MacWEEK]]
}}</ref>
* '''Macintosh Performa 520''': Consumer version of the LC 520. Not sold in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP278
| title = Macintosh Performa 520: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = August 27, 2022
| archive-date = July 29, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120729132703/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP278
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

{{clear}}

== LC 550 ==
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Macintosh LC 550 / {{nowrap|Performa 550}} / {{nowrap|Performa 560}}
| aka = "Hook 33"
| developer = [[Apple Computer]]
| family = [[Macintosh LC family|LC]], [[Macintosh Performa|Performa]]
| release date = {{start date|1993|10|18}}
| image = Macintosh Performa 550.jpg
| caption = A Macintosh Performa 550
| MSRP = {{USD|1200|1993}}
| CPU = [[Motorola 68030]]
| CPUspeed = 33 MHz
| OS = [[System 7|System 7.1]] - [[System 7#Mac OS 7.6|Mac OS 7.6.1]]<br>With 68040 upgrade, [[Mac OS 8|Mac OS 8.1]]
| RAM = 5 MB, expandable to 36 MB
| RAMtype = 80 ns 72-pin SIMM
| Display = {{convert|14|in|cm}}
| dimensions = Height: {{convert|17.9|in|cm}}<br>Width: {{convert|13.5|in|cm}}<br>Depth: {{convert|16.5|in|cm}}
| weight = {{convert|40.5|lb|kg}}
| discontinued = {{end date|1995|03|23}}
| predecessor = [[#LC 520|Macintosh LC 520]]
| successor = [[#LC 580|Macintosh LC 580]]<br>[[Power Macintosh 5200 LC]]
}}

The '''Macintosh LC 550''' replaced the LC 520 in February 1994. The Performa variants were introduced earlier, the 550 in October 1993 and the 560 in January 1994, and remained available for more than a year longer, until April 1996.

The main difference between the 550 and the 520 is the faster 68030 CPU, clocked at 33&nbsp;MHz instead of 25&nbsp;MHz, with the bus speed also increasing from 25 to 33&nbsp;MHz. Unlike the 520, the optical drive was a bare-CD tray-loading type which did not require a caddy. The logic board in the 550 is essentially the same one used in the [[Macintosh Color Classic|Macintosh Color Classic II]], an upgrade to the original Color Classic not available in the United States. Apple also offered the same upgrade package for the 520 to the LC 575 logic board.<ref name=apple>{{cite web |url=http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=17055 |title=Macintosh Family: Upgrade History |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020905064353/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=17055 |archive-date=September 5, 2002 |work=Apple }}</ref>

Two Performa variants were introduced, varying only in the software bundle that was included. The 550 included only consumer applications. The Performa 560 was called the "Money Edition" owing to a partnership between Apple and [[Money (magazine)|''Money'' magazine]].<ref name=moneymagpr>{{cite web
| url = https://www.thefreelibrary.com/MONEY+AND+APPLE+TEAM+UP+TO+OFFER+MULTIMEDIA+PERSONAL-FINANCE+COMPUTER+...-a014712650
| title = Money And Apple Team Up To Offer Multimedia Personal-Finance Computer System
| date = January 17, 1994
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041206/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/MONEY+AND+APPLE+TEAM+UP+TO+OFFER+MULTIMEDIA+PERSONAL-FINANCE+COMPUTER+...-a014712650
| archive-date = 1 December 2017
| type = Press Release
}}</ref> In addition to some consumer and education software, it also included more than a dozen business software applications.

=== Models ===
Introduced October 18, 1993:
* '''Macintosh Performa 550''':<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP279
| title = Macintosh Performa 550: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = October 6, 2017
| archive-date = July 29, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120729132713/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP279
| url-status = live
}}</ref> 160 MB HDD. [[Recovery partition]] on units that shipped with System 7.1P6.<ref name="brown20250315">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Doug |date=2025-03-15 |title=Apple’s long-lost hidden recovery partition from 1994 has been found |url=https://www.downtowndougbrown.com/2025/03/apples-long-lost-hidden-recovery-partition-from-1994-has-been-found/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Downtown Doug Brown}}</ref>

Introduced January 15, 1994:
* '''Macintosh Performa 560 Money Edition''':<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP280
| title = Macintosh Performa 560: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = October 6, 2017
| archive-date = July 29, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120729132725/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP280
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The Performa 550 with bundled business software. Sold only in the United States through [[Circuit City]] locations and direct order from Apple. US$2,199.<ref name=moneymagpr />

Introduced February 2, 1994: 
* '''Macintosh LC 550'''<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP215
| title = Macintosh LC 550: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = October 6, 2017
| archive-date = July 29, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120729132708/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP215
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

{{clear}}

== LC 575 ==
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Macintosh LC 575 / {{nowrap|Performa 575}} / {{nowrap|Performa 577}} / {{nowrap|Performa 578}}
| aka = "Optimus"<ref name=macworldsecrets575 />
| developer = [[Apple Computer]]
| family = [[Macintosh LC family|LC]], [[Macintosh Performa|Performa]]
| image = Macintosh LC 575 Picture 2.JPG
| caption = A Macintosh LC 575 with non-original mouse
| releasedate = {{start date|1994|02|01}}
| MSRP = {{USD|1699|1994}}
| CPU = [[Motorola 68LC040]]
| CPUspeed = 33&nbsp;MHz
| OS = [[System 7|7.1]] - [[Mac OS 8|Mac OS 8.1]]<br>With PowerPC upgrade, [[Mac OS 9|Mac OS 9.1]]
| RAM = 5 MB, expandable to 68 MB
| RAMtype = 80 ns 72-pin SIMM
| Display = {{convert|14|in|cm}}
| dimensions = Height: {{convert|17.9|in|cm}}<br>Width: {{convert|13.5|in|cm}}<br>Depth: {{convert|16.5|in|cm}}
| weight = {{convert|40.5|lb|kg}}
| discontinued = {{end date|1996|04|01}}
| predecessor = [[#LC 550|Macintosh LC 550]]
| successor = [[#LC 580|Macintosh LC 580]]<br>[[Power Macintosh 5200 LC]]
}}

The '''Macintosh LC 575''' was available from 1994 to 1996. It retains the "all-in-one" case of the LC 520/550, but uses the [[Macintosh Quadra 605|LC 475]]'s architecture with a [[Motorola 68LC040]] CPU (at a speed of 33&nbsp;MHz instead of 25&nbsp;MHz) and a tray-loading optical drive. It also included a high density floppy disk drive. The CPU clock is sometimes given as 66&nbsp;MHz, since the clock signal is of that frequency - however, the processor itself only runs at 33&nbsp;MHz. The LC 575 also introduced the [[Apple Communication Slot|comm slot]], which was included in most later LC models as well.

In May 1994, a set of Performa variants were introduced: the Performa 575, 577 and 578.<ref>{{cite magazine
| url = https://archive.org/stream/MacWorld_9406_June_1994#page/n35/mode/2up
| title = MacBulletin - LC 575 reborn as Performa
| date = June 1994
| page = 34
| type = news
| magazine = [[Macworld]]
| volume = 11
| issue = 6
}}</ref>  The machines are identical except for the amount of RAM and the HDD size.  Software packages included with the Performa variants include [[ClarisWorks|ClarisWorks 2.0]], [[Quicken|Quicken 4.0]], [[Grolier's Encyclopedia]], the 1993 ''[[The TIME Almanac]]'', [[At Ease]] and some educational titles.

[[David Pogue]] described this machine as having been "enthusiastically received by Mac fans, who appreciated their crisp color screens, speedy performance, rich sound, and upgradability to Power Macs down the line."<ref name=macworldsecrets575>{{cite book
| chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/macworldmacsecre00pogu/page/475
| chapter-url-access = registration
| title = MacWorld Mac Secrets, 5th Edition
| chapter = Chapter 12: From 128K to Quadra: Mac to Mac
| pages = [https://archive.org/details/macworldmacsecre00pogu/page/475 475-476]
| publisher = [[IDG Books]]
| date = 1999
| first1 = David
| last1 = Pogue
| author-link1 = David Pogue
| first2 = Joseph
| last2 = Schorr
| isbn = 0-7645-4040-8
}}</ref>

The LC variant was succeeded by the Macintosh LC 580 on the lower end or the [[PowerPC]]-based [[Power Macintosh 5200 LC]] models at the higher end. The Performa variants were sold until the 580 was discontinued.

This model is a favorite motherboard donor for those wishing to upgrade the [[Macintosh Color Classic|Color Classic]] to a faster class of processor. Apple also offered an upgrade path in the form of a PowerPC [[Macintosh Processor Upgrade Card|Macintosh Processor Upgrade]].<ref name=apple />

=== Models ===
Introduced February 1, 1994:
* '''Macintosh Performa 575''':<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP281
| title = Macintosh Performa 575: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = October 6, 2017
| archive-date = August 29, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120829181503/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP281
| url-status = live
}}</ref> 5 MB RAM, 250 MB HDD.
* '''Macintosh Performa 577'''<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP282
| title = Macintosh Performa 577: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = October 6, 2017
| archive-date = August 29, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120829181511/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP282
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
* '''Macintosh Performa 578''':<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP489
| title = Macintosh Performa 578 - Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = October 6, 2017
| archive-date = August 29, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120829181515/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP489
| url-status = live
}}</ref> the Performa 577 with 8 MB of RAM and 320 MB HDD.

Introduced November 3, 1994:
* '''Macintosh LC 575''':<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP243
| title = Macintosh LC 575: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = October 6, 2017
| archive-date = August 29, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120829181459/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP243
| url-status = live
}}</ref> 5 MB RAM, 160 MB HDD, CD-ROM. US$1,699.<ref>{{cite magazine
| url = https://archive.org/stream/MacWorld_9404_April_1994#page/n37/mode/2up
| title = Apple Ships First All-In-One 040 LC
| pages = 36–37
| magazine = [[Macworld]]
| date = April 1994
| first = Cameron
| last = Crotty
| volume = 11
| issue = 4
| editor-first = Tom
| editor-last = Moran
}}</ref> Sold only in the education market. An additional model with 8 MB RAM was available for volume purchase.

=== Hardware ===
*[[Central processing unit|CPU]]: [[Motorola 68LC040]] at 33 [[MHz]]
*[[Random Access Memory|RAM]]: 5 MB (expandable to 68 MB with 1 72-pin SIMM)
*[[Hard drive]]: [[SCSI]], 160 MB (LC 575) / 250 MB (Performa 575) / 320 MB (Performa 577, Performa 578)
*[[Video RAM|VRAM]]: 512 KB (640×480 8-bit) (expandable to 1 MB (640×480 16-bit) using 1 80 ns VRAM SIMM)
*Floppy drive: 1.44 MB (can read 400 KB and 800 KB diskettes as well)
*Optical drive: 2x [[CD-ROM]]
*[[Read-only memory|ROM]] Size: 1 MB
*Level 1 Cache: 8 KB
*Expansion: 1 LC [[Processor Direct Slot|PDS]], 1 comm slot
*Built-in Display: 14" Sony Trinitron Color CRT (supports up to 65,536 colors)

{{clear}}

== LC 580 ==
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Macintosh LC 580 / {{nowrap|Performa 580CD}} / {{nowrap|Performa 588CD}}
| aka = "Dragonkid"
| developer = [[Apple Computer]]
| family = [[Macintosh LC family|LC]], [[Macintosh Performa|Performa]]
| image = Macintosh_Performa_580CD_-_front.jpg
| caption = A Macintosh Performa 580CD
| release date = {{start date|1995|04|03}}
| MSRP = {{USD|1300|1995}}
| CPU = [[Motorola 68LC040]]
| CPUspeed = 33&nbsp;MHz
| OS = [[System 7|System 7.1.2P]] - 7.5.1, 7.5.3 to [[Mac OS 8|Mac OS 8.1]]<br>With PowerPC upgrade, [[Mac OS 9|Mac OS 9.1]]
| RAM = 8 MB, expandable to 68 MB
| RAMtype = 80 ns 72-pin SIMM
| Display = {{convert|14|in|cm}}
| dimensions = Height: {{convert|17.9|in|cm}}<br>Width: {{convert|13.5|in|cm}}<br>Depth: {{convert|16.5|in|cm}}
| weight = {{convert|40.5|lb|kg}}
| discontinued = {{end date|1996|05|01}}
| predecessor = [[#LC 575|Macintosh LC 575]]
| successor = [[Power Macintosh 5200 LC]]
}}

The '''Macintosh LC 580''' was sold from April 1995 to May 1996. Like the LC 575, it is built around a [[Motorola 68LC040]] processor, running at 33&nbsp;MHz. However, instead of using the same sized, SCSI-only, logic boards based on the LC 475/Quadra 605 like the LC 575, the 580 uses the larger logic board of the [[Performa 630]]. This meant a few changes, most of them leading to lower prices, but also lower performance: Most notably, the hard drives of the 580 were [[Integrated Drive Electronics|IDE]] drives instead of [[SCSI]] drives. Also, the video RAM was no longer mounted on a [[SIMM]], but used 1 MB of the 4 MB of main RAM soldered to the motherboard. Lastly, the [[Trinitron]] display of the 575 was replaced with a cheaper [[shadow mask]] screen, causing a slight change in the plastic case surrounding the [[Cathode ray tube|CRT]]. One benefit of this change was the ability to accommodate the same [[Video processing expansion card|video capture]] and [[TV tuner card]]s designed for the Performa 630.  This allowed LC 580 users to watch and record video, essentially performing the function of a television as well as a computer.

The LC 580 and LC 630 DOS Compatible, which were introduced at the same time,<ref name=macworld0695>{{cite magazine
| url = https://archive.org/stream/MacWorld_9506_June_1995#page/n38/mode/1up
| title = Apple Expands 040 line - Adds DOS to the 630, updates the 575
| date = June 1995
| page = 37
| magazine = [[Macworld]]
| volume = 12
| issue = 6
| first = Tom
| last = Moran
}}</ref> were the last of the Macintosh desktop systems to be built around a Motorola 68000-series processor. Its replacement, the [[Power Macintosh 5200 LC]], features a [[PowerPC]] processor. Apple also offered an upgrade path for the 580 in the form of a PowerPC [[Macintosh Processor Upgrade Card|Macintosh Processor Upgrade]].<ref name=apple /> The 580 can also be upgraded with the following logic boards: [[Power Macintosh 5200 LC|5200 LC]], [[Power Macintosh 6200|6200]], [[Power Macintosh 5260|5260]], [[Power Macintosh 5300|5300]], [[Power Macintosh 6300|6300]], [[Power Macintosh 5400|5400]], [[Power Macintosh 6400|6400]], [[Power Macintosh 5500|5500]] and [[Power Macintosh 6500|6500]].

The LC 580's Performa variants were only available outside of the United States.

=== Models ===
Introduced April 3, 1995:
* '''Macintosh LC 580''':<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP245
| title = Macintosh LC 580: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = October 6, 2017
| archive-date = September 15, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220915132414/https://support.apple.com/kb/SP245?locale=en_US
| url-status = live
}}</ref> 8 MB RAM, 500 MB HDD, sold only in the education market.

Introduced April 13, 1995:
* '''Macintosh Performa 588CD''':<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP284
| title = Macintosh Performa 588CD: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = October 1, 2017
| archive-date = October 5, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121005033621/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP284
| url-status = live
}}</ref> a Performa 580CD with a 500 MB hard drive, sold only in Asia and Europe

Introduced May 1, 1995:
* '''Macintosh Performa 580CD''':<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP283
| title = Macintosh Performa 580CD: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = October 1, 2017
| archive-date = August 29, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120829181519/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP283
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Sold in Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand

=== Hardware ===
'''Central processing unit''': [[Motorola 68LC040]] at 33 [[MHz]]; 8 KB of L1 cache

'''Memory''': 8 MB, expandable to 52 MB with two 72-pin SIMMs.  1 MB of the 4 MB RAM soldered on the mainboard is used as video RAM.

'''Storage''': Hard drive is 250 MB or 500 MB IDE; floppy drive is a 1.44 MB [[SuperDrive]] (can read 400 KB and 800 KB diskettes as well); CD-ROM is a 4x [[AppleCD]] unit.

'''Expansion''': 1 LC [[Processor Direct Slot|PDS]], 1 comm slot

'''Display''': 14{{pprime}} color CRT (supports up to 65,536 colors)

==  Technical specifications ==
{{All are obsolete}}
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="font-size:small; text-align:center"

|-
! rowspan=2 | Model
! Family
! colspan=2 | LC 520
! colspan=3 | LC 550
! colspan=4 | LC 575
! colspan=3 | LC 580
|-
! Model
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh LC 520<ref>{{Cite mac |model=Macintosh LC 520: Technical Specifications |appleNumber=SP214 |everyURL=mac_lc/stats/mac_lc_520.html |accessdate=October 6, 2017}}</ref>
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh Performa 520<ref>{{Cite mac |model=Macintosh Performa 520: Technical Specifications |appleNumber=SP278 |everyURL=mac_performa/stats/mac_performa_520.html |accessdate=August 27, 2022}}</ref>
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh Performa 550
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh Performa 560
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh LC 550
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh Performa 575
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh Performa 577
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh Performa 578
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh LC 575
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh LC 580
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh Performa 588CD
! style="background:#FF9999" | Macintosh Performa 580CD
|-
! rowspan=2 | Timetable
! Released
| colspan=2 | June 28, 1993
| October 18, 1993
| January 15, 1994
| February 2, 1994
| colspan=3 | February 1, 1994
| November 3, 1994
| April 3, 1995
| April 13, 1995
| May 1, 1995

|-
! Discontinued
| colspan=2 | February 2, 1994
| colspan=2 | April 1, 1996
| March 23, 1995
| colspan=3 | April 1, 1996
| April 3, 1995
| August 1, 1995
| May 1, 1996
| February 1, 1996

|-
! rowspan=2 | Model
! Model number
| colspan=9 | M1640
| colspan=3 | M3872
|-
! Order number
| colspan=2 | M1778 (5/80)<br/>M1626 (8/80)<br/>M1627 (8/160)
| M2147
| M3327
| {{Data missing|date=March 2023}}
| M3119
| M3201
| M3202
| M2618/B (4/160), M2461/B (5/160), M1797/B (8/160)
| {{Data missing|date=March 2023}}
| M4059J
| M3872

|-
! rowspan=8 | Performance
! [[Central processing unit|Processor]]
! colspan=5 | [[Motorola 68030|68030]] with optional [[Motorola 68882|68882]] [[Floating-point unit]]
! colspan=7 | [[68LC040]]

|-
! [[Clock speed]] and [[Front-side bus|bus]]
| colspan=2 | 25&nbsp;MHz
| colspan=10 | 33&nbsp;MHz

|-
! [[CPU cache|Cache]]
| colspan=5 | 0.5&nbsp;kB L1
| colspan=7 | 8&nbsp;kB L1

|-
! rowspan=3 | [[Random-access memory|Memory]]
| colspan=7 | 5&nbsp;MB
| 8&nbsp;MB
| 5&nbsp;MB or 8&nbsp;MB
| colspan=2 | 8&nbsp;MB
| 5&nbsp;MB or 8&nbsp;MB
|-
| colspan=12 | 72-pin 80&nbsp;ns [[SIMM]]
|-
| colspan=9 | {{Gray|''Expandable to 36&nbsp;MB''}}
| colspan=3 | {{Gray|''Expandable to 52&nbsp;MB''}}

|-
! rowspan=2 | [[Computer graphics|Graphics]]
| colspan=9 | 512&nbsp;kB VRAM SIMM
| colspan=3 | 1&nbsp;MB VRAM SIMM
|-
| colspan=5 | {{Gray|''Expandable to 768&nbsp;kB''}}
| colspan=4 | {{Gray|''Expandable to 1&nbsp;MB''}}
| colspan=3 | {{Gray|''Not expandable''}}

|-
! rowspan=3 | Storage
! Floppy drive
| colspan=12 | Floppy drive
|-
! [[Hard drive]]
| colspan=2 | 80&nbsp;MB, 160&nbsp;MB [[SCSI]]
| colspan=2 | 160&nbsp;MB [[SCSI]]
| 80&nbsp;MB or 160&nbsp;MB [[SCSI]]
| 250&nbsp;MB [[SCSI]]
| colspan=2 | 320&nbsp;MB [[SCSI]]
| 160&nbsp;MB or 320&nbsp;MB [[SCSI]]
| colspan=2 | 500&nbsp;MB [[Integrated Drive Electronics|IDE]]
| 250&nbsp;MB or 500&nbsp;MB [[Integrated Drive Electronics|IDE]]

|-
! [[Optical drive]]
| colspan=12 | 2x CD-ROM

|-
! colspan=2 | Connectivity
| colspan=5 | 1 LC PDS slot
| colspan=3 | 1 LC PDS slot<br/>14.4k modem
| 1 LC PDS slot<br/>14.4k modem<br/>Comm slot
| colspan=3 | 1 LC PDS slot<br/>Comm slot<br/>Video I/O slot

|-
! colspan=2 | Video
| colspan=9 | 14" Sony Trinitron RGB (supports resolutions up to 640x480)
| colspan=3 | 14" generic CRT RGB (supports resolutions up to 640x480)

|-
! rowspan=2 | Dimensions
! Weight
| colspan=12 | {{Convert|40.5|lb|kg}}
|-
! Volume
| colspan=12 | {{Convert|17.9|in|cm}} × {{Convert|13.5|in|cm}} × {{Convert|16.5|in|cm}}

|-
! rowspan=2 | Operating system
! Minimum
| colspan=9 | [[System 7.1]]
| colspan=3 | [[System 7.5]]

|-
! Latest release
| colspan=5 | [[System 7.6.1]]
| colspan=7 | [[Mac OS 8.1]]

|}

== Timeline ==
{{Timeline of Macintosh LC models}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Macintosh LC 500 series}}
* [http://lowendmac.com/500/guide.html Guide to the Performa/Mac LC 500 Series], [http://lowendmac.com/1993/mac-lc-520-performa-520/ LC 520], [http://lowendmac.com/1993/mac-lc-550-performa-550/ LC 550], [http://lowendmac.com/1994/mac-lc-575-performa-575/ LC 575] and [http://lowendmac.com/1995/mac-lc-580-performa-580/ LC 580] at Low End Mac
* [http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_lc/stats/mac_lc_520.html LC 520], [http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_performa/stats/mac_performa_520.html Performa 520], [http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_lc/stats/mac_lc_550.html LC 550], [http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_performa/stats/mac_performa_550.html Performa 550], [http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_performa/stats/mac_performa_560.html Performa 560], [http://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_lc/stats/mac_lc_575.html LC 575], [http://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_performa/stats/mac_performa_575.html Performa 575], [http://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_performa/stats/mac_performa_577.html Performa 577], [http://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_performa/stats/mac_performa_578.html Performa 578], [http://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_lc/stats/mac_lc_580.html LC 580], [http://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_performa/stats/mac_performa_580cd.html Performa 580CD], [http://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_performa/stats/mac_performa_588cd.html Performa 588CD] at EveryMac

{{Apple hardware before 1998}}

[[Category:Macintosh LC|500]]
[[Category:Macintosh Performa|LC 500]]
[[Category:68k Macintosh computers|LC 500]]
[[Category:Macintosh all-in-ones|LC 500]]
[[Category:Macintosh case designs|LC 500]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1993]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 1994]]