Macintosh Quadra 800

This particular model has been introduced as something "in between" Quadra 700 (becoming slower with CPU development) and Quadra 950, a true high-end machine dedicated to larger projects. A speed-bumped Quadra with 33MHz processor has a re-designed tower casing allowing for better expansion. The CPU was as fast as Quadra 950, but a whole computer was much cheaper and in less bulky casing. There also were a few interesting options: It was possible to buy it with a 2X CD-ROM drive, VRAM upgrade making it display as 950 or, in some cases, even a video board. The hard disk was 230MB or, for bigger needs, 500MB.
Although generally well received, there were some negative opinions mostly related to intentionally reducing VRAM to make Quadra 950 more competitive.

Quadra 800 has been offered in a server version as Workgroup Server 80.


Model No: M1206

Year: 1993
Discontinued: 1994
CPU: Motorola 68040 33MHz
RAM: 24MB (16+8MB on board)
Max. RAM: 136MB
RAM Type: 4x72-pin SIMM
Hard disk: 500MB SCSI, 3.5" SL
Also delivered with 230MB
Floppy drives: 1 1.4M 3.5"
Other drives: SCSI, Caddy-based double-speed CD-ROM
Graphics: 1MB (originally 512k)
Expandable with 2 VRAM SIMMs
Sound: 1-channel
Display: External, 15-pin connector
Some BTO options with video board.
Dedicated OS: Mac System 7.1
Maximum OS: Mac System 8.1
Expansions:  - ADB.
 - 4 SIMMs for RAM Expansion
 - ROM SIMM in some units
 - 2 VRAM SIMMs
 - 3 NuBus slots
 - CPU PDS Slot




 

Connectors:  - 15-pin video connector
 - External SCSI port (DB25)
 - AAUI network card connector
  - 2 serial ports (RS-422) for modem and printer)
- 2 ADB connectors for keyboard and mouse
 - Sound output
 - Microphone in
 
 
 
 
 
 

My unit comes from a graphics studio, where it was used with some graphics software. Unfortunately I don't know exactly for what, as it came well sanitized, with German Mac OS 7.1 and a wallpaper with a yellow symbol of German, football club :). A few smaller issues have been corrected and 7.5.3 installed. Before, I experimentally tried with 8.0.
So, from experience, even with 40MB of RAM, not 24MB, avoid 8.x-line as graphics software will not run smoothly and system will be a bit slow.
 


Disassembly
The disassembly is similar to Power Mac 9500. Remove two rear screws and move the casing to the front. Rear side stays in chassis, front side goes with metal casing. Remove two stands by pressing latches, one between drives and PSU, another between bottom and drives, parallel to mainboard (in Power Mac 9500 there is a fan). All drives are sliding out towards front by pulling or pushing the latches. It is also possible to remove speaker assembly.
To remove mainboard, remove the reset/debug buttons first by unlocking latches. Remember how it goes in as it looks like it won't fit in holes, but it fits there. Now remove a single screw on the mainboard plate, on the solderside of the board. Disconnect power cables, SCSI. Now unlock two latches on the top to unlock top of mainboard. Slide the board towards front and open. The distance should be enough to remove additional wires connected to mainboard to remove the rest, or to add/remove RAM and replace RTC battery.

Unfortunately there is no easier way to remove or replace RAM or battery.
 

https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_quadra/specs/mac_quadra_800.html - In EveryMac,
https://archive.org/details/NewMacs - A TV programme from 1993 about new Macs - including Quadra 800.
https://www.dobreprogramy.pl/macminik/Quadra-800840AV,56727.html - A Polish modern review,
http://lowendmac.com/1993/quadra-800/ - 1993 review