Hosted by site sponsor WebMate.







Apple Macintosh II (Original) Specs

All Macintosh Models | All 1987 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others


Apple Macintosh IIThe Apple Macintosh II features a 16 MHz 68020 processor, a 68881 FPU, 1 MB or 4 MB of RAM, a 40 MB or an 80 MB hard drive, and the option of an Apple Macintosh II video card in a large, easy-to-open desktop case.

The Macintosh II was nicknamed the "Open Mac" because of its 6 NuBus slots which made expansion and customization easy. The Macintosh II also was the first color-capable Macintosh and set a new standard for color in the computer industry by supporting true color (16.7 million colors) courtesy of the new Color QuickDraw language in ROM.


  • Tech Specs
  • Ports

Click on the category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.


March 2, 1987 January 15, 1990
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 1987.
16 MHz 68020
Details: This model has a 32-bit processor and a 32-bit data path.
Third-Party* 68881
Details: *A variety of third-party processor upgrades and accelerators were available.
16 MHz N/A
Details: N/A
Macintosh ROM 256k*
Details: *The Macintosh II ROM is "32-bit dirty."
0.25k N/A
Details: N/A
30-pin SIMM* 120 ns
Details: *PAL SIMMs required for 4 MB and larger capacities.
1 MB, 4 MB 128 MB*
Details: *The ROM Is "32-bit dirty" and by default, the Macintosh II with its original ROM only supports 8 MB of RAM (1 MB SIMMs in each of eight slots). With the FDHD upgrade kit, the system is capable of supporting 68 MB of RAM (1 MB SIMMs in bank A and 16 MB SIMMs in bank B). Finally, with 32-bit addressing and the MODE32 system extension this model is capable of supporting 128 MB of RAM (16 MB SIMMs in all eight slots).

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.
None 8*
Details: *RAM SIMMs must be installed in groups of four.
Video Card* Video Card*
Details: *The standard video card options for the Macintosh II had either 256k or 512k of VRAM and supported multiple resolutions.
256k, 512k* 256k, 512k*
Details: *The standard video card options for the Macintosh II had 256k or 512k of VRAM, but numerous third-party video cards also were available.
Up to 6 Displays* 512x384, 640x480*
Details: *The Macintosh II can support multiple displays -- originally at great cost -- using multiple video cards in NuBus expansion slots. The Macintosh II also can support multiple resolutions, 512x384 and 640x480 are common. Portrait (vertical orientation) displays also were popular.
Dual/Mirroring* Variable*
Details: *The Macintosh II can support multiple displays with multiple video cards.
40 MB, 80 MB* SCSI
Details: *By default, the Macintosh II was offered with either a 40 MB or an 80 MB 5.25" internal SCSI hard drive.
None 800k x2 (Auto)*
Details: *Second floppy drive optional. The Macintosh II FDHD upgrade provided a 1.44 MB disk drive as well as Macintosh IIx ROMs for higher memory capacity.
None None
Details: N/A
6 NuBus None*
Details: *There are no free expansion bays with dual disk drives and one 5.25" hard drive installed. Third-party products were available to install additional and other storage options.
Desktop Macintosh II
Details: N/A
M5333* Macintosh II
Details: *M5333 refers to a configuration with 1 MB of RAM and a single 800k floppy disk drive. Configured with 1 MB of RAM, an 800k floppy drive and a 40 MB hard drive is order number M5430, and configured with 4 MB of RAM, an 800k floppy drive, and a 40 MB hard drive is order number M5410.
M5000 6
Details: N/A

Also see: All Macs with the M5000 Model Number and 6 Gestalt ID.

For more about identifiers and how to locate them on modern Macs, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.
3.6V Lithium x2* N/A
Details: *The Macintosh II has two 3.6V Lithium batteries soldered to the motherboard.
2.0 2.0-7.5.1, 7.5.3-7.5.5
Details: Earlier and later versions of the Macintosh System/Finder and Mac OS are not supported.
5.5 x 18.7 x 14.4 24.0 lbs (10.9 kg)
Details: In inches - height by width by depth, (14 cm, 47.5 cm, 36.6 cm).
US$5500 N/A*
Details: *As a collector's item, this model may still retain value.

Photo Credit: MacUser Magazine (Radius Advertisement).


Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.


1* None
Details: *Video port provided by required video card. No onboard video port.
2 1 (DB-25)
Details: N/A
2 None
Details: Serial ports are marked by printer and modem icons.
None None
Details: N/A
None None
Details: N/A
None None
Details: N/A
1 (8-Bit Mono) None
Details: N/A
1 None
Details: N/A
1 N/A
Details: 90V-270V AC, 48-62 Hz Frequency, 230 Max Watts.

Icon Credit: Apple Computer, Inc.

Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices


<< Macintosh (Home)




Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.