From: daley@gemini.cs.nps.navy.mil (John Daley)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Performa 600 vs. IIvx
Summary: Performa 600 is a great deal
Keywords: Performa,600,600CD,IIvx,CD-ROM,300i
Date: 17 Dec 92 04:26:48 GMT
Distribution: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Organization: Computer Science Dept, Naval Postgraduate School

From a look at recent traffic, there appears to be a number
of folks who are trying to decide, as I recently did, whether
a Performa 600/600CD, a IIci, or a IIvx/IIvx w/CD is the best
computer for the money. Ostensibly, a lot of these people are
buying a computer for home and/or family use.

After a lot of research and agonizing over the variables involved,
I finally bought a Performa 600CD. I've had an opportunity to evaluate
its performance vis-a-vis the Iici, which I previously owned. The
IIci was configured with a cache card AND a 24-bit video card
installed, had 8 MB of RAM and a 105 internal Quantum hard drive.

I disagree a recent opinion expressed that the Performa 600 series
is aimed at the same market as the IIci (although I'd have to admit
that I could be used as an example to contradict this argument! ;-)
The Performa 600 series is aimed squarely at the home/education
and multimedia market, whereas the IIci was primarily a DTP/high
performance machine.

In any case, the performance I've experienced with the P600CD so
far has been very, very comparable to that of the IIci. Video is
a bit slower (as compared against the video card in the IIci), but
that's certainly expected. Even without a math chip installed, most
software runs about like it did on the IIci. (Real world vs. lab
measurements effect here, I think.)

As far as the comparison with the IIvx, the case is clear: if you're
out for value, the P600 series has it all over the IIvx:

Advantage is signified by "*"

Factor             P600/600CD                      IIvx/IIvx w/CD
------------------------------------------------------------------
Processor          32 MHz 68030    <-- same -->    32 MHz 68030
Data bus           16 MHz (sigh)   <-- same -->    16 MHz (sigh)
Accelerator slot   available       <-- same -->    available

Base HD config     160 MB *                         80 MB
------------------------------------------------------------------
(Note: Performa 600CD 5/160/CD is $2499 list; IIvx 5/80/CD is locally
       about $2660 street. Most P600's are selling at list, due to
       demand outstripping supply.)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Extended Keybd II  included *                       extra (~ $149)

Integrated SW      included *                       extra

PC Exchange        included *                       extra

At Ease            included *                       extra

System SW          System 7.1P *                    System 7.1
                               ^
                               |-- IMHO
------------------------------------------------------------------
System 7.1P includes some useful utilities, such as Launcher and
Apple Backup. The only disadvantage is that Apple, for some unknown
reason, doesn't include the 7.1 floppy disks with the package. Go
figure!
------------------------------------------------------------------

Math chip          slot ready                       32 MHz 68882 in *

Cache              No capability                    32K installed   *

Onboard video      16-bit to 14" monitors        16-bit to 16" mons *

:::::::::::::::::::::::
So: the bottom line:
:::::::::::::::::::::::

If you don't care about maximizing your value per dollar (including
getting a larger hard drive for less money), or if you absolutely
must have either an onboard cache or onboard video support for 16"
monitors, go with the IIvx. It's a fine machine, and slightly out-
performs the IIci (according to most lab tests).

If you place value on any of the following:

1) a larger hard drive (160MB vs 80 MB)
2) integrated software
3) PC Exchange/DOS mounting software
4) At Ease (environment for kids or beginners, which is great)
5) paying less money than the IIvx and STILL getting the above,
   including a $149 keyboard

...then the Performa is a better choice.

At least one manufacturer (I think it was Technology Works) has
the 32MHz 68882 for the Performa 600 series in stock. Price is
about $149. (for those who need the extra performance for math-
intensive applications).

IMHO, it would be fairly difficult to notice the performance
difference between the Performa 600, the IIci, and the IIvx, if
you are using human sensors (not speedometer, a stopwatch, etc.)
unless you are using math-intensive applications. Once installing
the 68882 in the P600, I think all 3 machines will be within a
5% range of each other. (Prevailing theory is that it takes a
10% performance difference to be detectable by most humans.)

BTW, the CD 300i and PhotoCD are FANTASTIC. The included Compton's
Multimedia Encyclopedia, as well as the other CD discs included,
are great. QuickTime 1.5 looks great on the built-in 16-bit video.

Hope you find this useful!

Disclaimer: the above is my opinion, and does not necessarily
            agree, or disagree, with anyone else's.

John

-- 

 John A. Daley, LCDR, USN            Computer Science Instructor, NPS Monterey
 Internet: daley@cs.nps.navy.mil                        America OnLine: JDaley