68kMLA Classic Interface

The Macintosh Color Display (M1212) is the newer 13" monitor from Apple compared to the High Resolution RGB Monitor (M0403 or M1297). But from my experience they are comparable. Both are Trinitrons and vertically flat, and both are old enough where you'll want to look for one in good condition that wasn't always left on. Older ones with a lot of use have shotty focus. In general the flybacks are getting old and some will require recapping. For recapping, the M1212 has a lot less capacitors than the M0401/M1297. If I remember, the M1212 has 29 caps all found on a single logic board whereas the M1297 has somewhere in the order of 70-90 spread across three logic boards. The M1212 also is more easily opened up for recapping as it's like 4-5 screws total and the board is out. Whereas the M1297 requires a lot of taking apart. The M1212 has some more (not all) externally adjustable geometry knobs than the M1297. The M1212 also comes with a built in swivel stand. The M1212 is lighter in weight. So a lot of advantages on the Macintosh Color Display from a maintenance perspective.

That said, for a Macintosh II (and IIx, IIci, IIcx, IIfx), the period correct / matching monitor is the High Resolution RGB Monitor (the M0403 or M1297 - two model numbers but basically the same monitor externally). The Macintosh Color Display (M1212) is more for the IIsi/IIvx/Quadras/Centris/LC time frame machines.

I'd daresay that the M1212 is more for the LC III, IIvx, Quadra, etc, machines, but it works fine on all Mac II series machines, the LC and LC II, as well as the Quadra 700 and 900/950 machines, which predate it.

View attachment 80898
Here's one of my previous M1212 monitors, on my previous IIfx. Looks fine.

Here's one of my previous M1212 monitors, on my previous IIfx. Looks fine.

m1212 perfectly matches the IIsi View attachment 80921