Background and Identification
The Macintosh LC III is a personal computer designed and sold by Apple Computer, Inc. between February 1993 and February 1994. The LC III replaced the Macintosh LC II in Apple’s lineup of mid-range computers but was significantly faster in all major categories, including CPU, disk, video, and math. The LC III was also significantly less expensive than the LC II. The LC III with an 80 MB hard drive was priced at US$1,349 at introduction, which was $700 less than the LC II at its introduction. The LC III was sold primarily to educational institutions, and a corresponding Performa variant (the Performa 450) was sold to the consumer market.
The Macintosh LC III was sold with 4 MB of internal storage that was expandable to 36 MB and an 80 MB hard drive. The LC III was sold in a compact “pizza box” case which looks effectively identical to the LC II.
A faster version of the LC III called the Macintosh LC III+ was released in October 1993 with a 33 MHz CPU. Three corresponding Performa variants of this model were released (the 460, 466, and 467). New sales of the LC III+ ended in early 1994 as Apple transitioned away from the 68030 processors.
Technical Specifications
Also known as: "Vail", "Elsie III"
Developer: Apple Computer, Inc.
Product family: LC, Performa
Release date: February 10, 1993
Introductory price: US$1,349 (equivalent to $2,388 in 2019)
Discontinued: February 14, 1994
Operating system: System 7.1 - Mac OS 7.6.1
CPU: Motorola 68030 @ 25 MHz or 33 MHz (III+ and Performa 460-467)
Memory: 4 MB, expandable to 36 MB (72-pin SIMM)
Dimensions:
- Height: 2.9 inches (7.4 cm)
- Width: 12.2 inches (31 cm)
- Depth: 15.3 inches (39 cm)
Mass: 8.8 pounds (4.0 kg)
Predecessor: Macintosh LC II
Successor: Macintosh LC 475