The PowerMacintosh 4400 gives Apple some ammunition against entry level MacOS clones. Built around the Motorola Starmax logic board co-designed with Apple (codenamed "Tanzania"), the 4400 offers several nice features atypical of Apple designs. A memory limit of 160 MB, high for an entry level system, is achieved via three DIMM slots. The one slot which comes with memory installed will only hold up to 32 MB of RAM. Filling the remaining two slots with 64 MB DIMMs brings a total of 160. It's two PCI slots are via a PCI riser card typical in most 603e machines. On this same riser card is the ethernet card in a special, non PCI slot. The top PCI slot is a 7" slot only because a longer card would come in contact with the floppy drive. The slot below it clears the drive, and is thus termed a full lenth slot.
The logic board holds an accelerated graphics chip from ATI (makers of Xclaim stuff) with 2 MB of upgradeable EDO VRAM. The 4400 does not use typical PowerMac memory chips. Like the Motorola Starmax machines, it uses 3.3v DIMMs. Higher voltage (incorrect) chips will not fit in the slots. It's standard configuration ships with 16 MB of RAM.
The 4400 comes with an EIDE CD drive and EIDE hard drive, typically of 2GB. Facing the machine, the hard drive is in a vertical position along the right front side of the case. Behind the grill at the front left of the machine is a small speaker and a fan which blows across the processor. To the rear of the machine is another fan which ventilates the entire box.
The PowerMacintosh 4400 is targeted at experienced home users and business uses. It comes with only system software, making it a poor choice for the first time buyer. A keyboard is included with the package.
Advantages
Price
The price/performance level of a PowerMacintosh 4400 is quite good. The 4400 is targeted as a budget machine, and fills it's niche nicely.
Graphics
2MB of accelerated video memory works quite well with monitor sizes from 14" to 20" and enhances multimedia software.
Expandability
For its price point and targeted market, two PCI slots and two DIMM slots provide good flexibility.
Access
Requiring only a Phillips screw driver, a 4400 is easy to get into and work on.
Service
Apple has an established service network worldwide that makes buying an Apple MacOS system easy.
Networkability
Designed as a working machine, the 4400 comes with ethernet as well as standard Appletalk.
Drawbacks
Non-standard components
The use of EIDE disk drives and low voltage memory makes it difficult to swap parts among other PowerMacs.
Software
Only system software and the Apple Internet Connection Kit are included.
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