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
Memory
70MB 72-pin SIMM
Storage
TBD
Graphics
640x480 Upgrade
Resolution
640x480
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). Original CPU: Motorola 68030 @ 16MHz
Restoration Log
Work Done
Every repair, recap, and restoration performed on this machine — documented as the work was completed.