Macintosh Quadra 840AV
The Macintosh Quadra 840AV is a high-end 68040-powered desktop tower that was released in July 1993. The 840AV is one of the fastest 68k Macintoshes ever made.
Specifications
According to everymac.com.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 1993 |
| Discontinuation Date | July 1994 |
| Processor | Motorola 68040 @40MHz - Additional AT&T 3210 DSP |
| RAM | 4x 72-pin SIMM Slots - 8 or 16MB Standard - 128MB Maximum |
| Hard Disk | 3.5" SCSI - 230MB, 500MB, or 1.0GB Standard |
| Graphics | 1 or 2MB VRAM |
| Audio | Internal Speaker |
| Internal Drives | - Auto or Manual inject 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive - 2X CD-ROM (Optional) |
| Expansion | - 3x NuBus |
| Networking | AAUI Ethernet |
| Other I/O | - 1x ADB - 2x Serial - 1x DB25 SCSI - 1x DB15 Video Out - 1x Line Out - 1x Mic In - 1x S-Video Out - 1x S-Video In - 1x Composite Out - 1x Composite In |
| PRAM Battery | 1/2AA Lithium |
| Original Mac OS | System 7.1 |
| Maximum Mac OS | Mac OS 8.1 |
Upgrades
SSD Upgrade
Check our page on SCSI SSD replacements for more info.
Resources
 Service Manual |
Capacitor Reference |
|---|
Common Faults & Maintenance
PRAM Battery Leaks
The 1/2AA Lithium PRAM battery in the 840AV is very prone to leaking and should be removed. It does not need to be replaced on this model for the computer to operate.
Capacitors
The 840AV's logic board has many electrolytic capacitors on it that are extremely prone to leaking. Any 840AV MUST be recapped. The traces and vias on the 840AV's logic board are also especially prone to corrosion, and they're very tiny and hard to repair. The 840AV has a reputation as such for being one of the most difficult 68k macs to repair.
Brittle Plastic
The plastic parts on the 840AV are extremely brittle, and unfortunately, plastic clips and retention pieces were used liberally inside the case. As such, it's very difficult to take an 840AV apart without damage. The front drive bezels are another part that frequently break. This plastic also yellows.
Page last updated (MM/DD/YYYY): 09/24/2024
Update Reason: page rewritten
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