Release date March 18, 1992 Discontinued October 14, 1995 | Introductory price $7,200 | |
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Operating system CPU Motorola 68040 @ 33 MHz Memory 4 MB, expandable to 256 MB (80 ns 30-pin SIMM) | ||
The Macintosh Quadra 950 is the third desktop computer in Apple Computer's Quadra line. Like its predecessors, it was based on Motorola's 68040 microprocessor. 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 full tower case allowing 6 slots (5 NuBus and one PDS) to be supported) 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. Apple wouldn't make another 6-slot Mac until the Power Macintosh 9600 in 1997.
This computer used a key to limit access to various subsystems depending on the computer's use environment. The key switch had three positions labelled OFF, ON and SECURE. The OFF position immediately cut the power and prevented the computer from being powered on. The ON position allowed the computer to operate normally. The SECURE position was intended for use as a server–power was always applied in this position. If the computer lost power, it would immediately start up when power was restored. Also, this position disabled the keyboard, mouse and floppy disk drive.