# Macintosh Performa

> family of personal computers by Apple

**Wikidata**: [Q1882835](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1882835)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh_Performa)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/macintosh-performa

## Summary
The Macintosh Performa was a family of personal computers produced by Apple Inc. between 1992 and 1997. These computers were marketed as consumer-friendly Macintosh models sold through retail stores and mail-order vendors.

## Key Facts
- Manufactured by Apple Inc., an American multinational technology company founded in 1976
- Discontinued in 1997 after a five-year production run
- Classified as a model series of personal computers
- Part of the broader IBM PC compatible ecosystem
- Featured 13 Wikipedia language editions including English, German, French, and Japanese
- Has a dedicated Commons category for media files
- Listed under the aliases "Performa" and "Macintosh performa"

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Macintosh Performa?
A: The Macintosh Performa was a family of consumer-oriented personal computers produced by Apple Inc. from 1992 to 1997. These computers were designed for retail sale and were part of Apple's effort to reach mainstream consumers.

### Q: Who manufactured the Macintosh Performa?
A: The Macintosh Performa was manufactured by Apple Inc., the American technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California. Apple has been producing personal computers since its founding in 1976.

### Q: When was the Macintosh Performa discontinued?
A: The Macintosh Performa line was discontinued in 1997, marking the end of Apple's consumer-focused Performa brand after five years of production.

## Why It Matters
The Macintosh Performa represented Apple's strategic push into the consumer retail market during the early 1990s. At a time when personal computers were becoming mainstream household items, Apple needed a product line that could compete with IBM-compatible computers in retail environments. The Performa series filled this gap by offering Macintosh computers in configurations and price points accessible to average consumers through stores like Sears and Best Buy. This initiative helped Apple expand its market reach beyond education and creative professional segments, though the line ultimately faced challenges from both Windows-based competitors and Apple's own internal product strategy shifts. The Performa's legacy includes helping establish Apple's retail presence and consumer marketing approach that would evolve in later decades.

## Notable For
- Being Apple's first major consumer retail computer line sold through mainstream stores
- Representing Apple's attempt to compete directly with IBM PC compatibles in the consumer market
- Featuring simplified configurations designed for non-technical users
- Running the Macintosh operating system in an era when Windows was gaining dominance
- Serving as a transitional product line before Apple's later retail and consumer strategies

## Body
### Development and Market Position
The Macintosh Performa emerged during a critical period for Apple as the company sought to expand beyond its traditional education and professional markets. Launched in 1992, these computers were specifically designed for retail sale through department stores, electronics retailers, and mail-order catalogs.

### Technical Specifications
As part of the Macintosh family, Performa computers ran Apple's proprietary operating system and featured hardware compatible with other Macintosh models of the era. The Performa line included various configurations targeting different price points and user needs.

### Retail Strategy
Unlike previous Macintosh models sold primarily through authorized dealers, Performa computers were packaged and marketed for direct consumer purchase. This represented a significant shift in Apple's distribution strategy, making Macintosh technology more accessible to mainstream users.

### Product Lifecycle
The Performa line operated for approximately five years before Apple discontinued it in 1997. This discontinuation coincided with broader changes in Apple's product strategy and the return of Steve Jobs to the company, which would lead to significant restructuring of Apple's computer lineup.

### Legacy
While the Performa line itself was relatively short-lived, it established important precedents for Apple's consumer marketing approach. The experience gained from retail sales and consumer-focused product development would influence later Apple initiatives, including the development of more user-friendly computing experiences and retail store concepts.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. KBpedia