Archive No. 16
Color Classic
Mystic
Historical Context
Apple's last compact Mac, and its first with color — but not without compromise. The Color Classic's fixed 512×384 Sony Trinitron display was narrower than every other Mac of its era. Apple's cost-cutting created a machine beloved precisely for its limitations. The 'Mystic' upgrade — swapping in a Color Classic II board — gives it a 68030 and double the RAM without changing the cult-status exterior.
Specifications
Technical Blueprint
Ref: M1600
Processor
Motorola 68LC040 33MHz Motorola 68030 16MHz
Memory
70MB 72-pin SIMM
Storage
TBD
Graphics
640x480 upgrade 560 × 384 display
Operating System
System 7.1
Hardware Notes
PRAM battery removed
Gallery
Detailed Observations
The Story
Using board from Performa 575 to do Mystic upgrade on this machine. 1/23/2022 - replaced Fan with Noctua NF-A8. Upgraded to two 512kb 70ns SIMMs for VRAM, switched RAM for 64MB RAM stick (+4MB built-in).
Restoration Log
Work Done
Every repair, recap, and restoration performed on this machine — documented as the work was completed.