Quadra · The Beige Era · 1993
Macintosh Quadra 800
The Quadra 800 was a fast tower for pro publishing and technical users, later overshadowed by the AV line.
Fast 68040 tower before the AV generation.
Macintosh Quadra 630 (1994)
Macintosh Quadra 800: key facts
When was the Macintosh Quadra 800 released?
The Macintosh Quadra 800 arrived on February 10, 1993. Apple discontinued it in March 1994.
How much did the Macintosh Quadra 800 cost?
The Macintosh Quadra 800 launched at $4,680 in 1993, about $10,202 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Motorola 68040 at 33 MHz, 8 MB RAM, 230 MB storage, External display display.
Why does the Macintosh Quadra 800 matter?
Fast 68040 tower before the AV generation.
Full specifications
| CPU | Motorola 68040 · 33 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 MB (up to 136 MB) |
| Storage | 230 MB |
| Display | External display |
| GPU | Integrated / NuBus video |
| Ports | SCSI, ADB, serial |
| Weight | Varies by configuration |
| Dimensions | Mini-tower |
| Operating system | System 7 |
| Released | February 10, 1993 |
| Discontinued | March 1994 |
| Launch price | $4,680 |
How the Macintosh Quadra 800 compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 2,050× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 33 MHz, the clock is roughly 97× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
All of this storage holds about 58 modern phone photos.
Launched at $4,680 in 1993, about $10,202 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Related Quadra models
Open the Macintosh Quadra 800 in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11