Power Macintosh 6100

Power Macintosh 6100 / Performa 6110 / Workgroup Server 6150
A Power Macintosh 6100/60AV
Also known as "PDM"[1]
Developer Apple Computer, Inc.
Product family Power Macintosh, Performa, Workgroup Server
Type Desktop
Release date March 14, 1994 (1994-03-14)
Discontinued May 18, 1996 (1996-05-18)
Operating system System 7.1.2 – 9.1 (except 7.5.2)
CPU PowerPC 601, 60 MHz – 66 MHz
Dimensions Height: 3.4 inches (8.6 cm)
Width: 16.3 inches (41 cm)
Depth: 15.6 inches (40 cm)
Weight 14 pounds (6.4 kg)
Predecessor Macintosh Quadra 610
Macintosh Quadra 660AV
Related articles Power Macintosh 7100
Power Macintosh 8100

The Power Macintosh 6100 (also sold as the Performa 6110 - 6118 and Workgroup Server 6150) is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer, Inc. from March 1994 to March 1996. It is first computer from Apple to use the new PowerPC processor created by IBM and Motorola. The low-profile ("pizza box") case was inherited from the Centris/Quadra 610 and 660AV models,[2] and replaced the Macintosh Quadra series that used the Motorola 68040 processor, Apple's previous high end workstation line.

For the consumer market, the 6100 was re-branded as a Macintosh Performa with model numbers in the 6110 - 6118 range denoting bundled software and hard drive sizes.[3] An Apple Multiple Scan 15 Display and AppleDesign Keyboard were included as part of the package. For the server market, a variant was offered with additional server software, called the Apple Workgroup Server 6150.

The 6100 was discontinued without a direct replacement.

Overview

The 6100 was introduced alongside the Power Macintosh 7100 and Power Macintosh 8100 and occupied the entry-level role of the new Power Macintosh family.

MacWorld's review of the 6100/60 noted that "Not only has Apple finally regained the performance lead it lost about eight years ago when PCs appeared using Intel's 80386 CPU, but it has pushed far ahead."[4] Performance of 680x0 software is slower due to the need for System 7.5's new Mac 68k emulation layer, but MacWorld's benchmarks showed noticeably faster CPU, disk, video and floating point performance than the Quadra 610 it replaced.

The 60 MHz models were upgraded to 66 MHz in January 1995.[1] Apple also released a PC-compatible model of the 6100/66 called the Power Macintosh 6100 DOS Compatible. This version came with a PDS card with an Intel 80486 DX2/66 processor (without L2 cache) and a single SIMM RAM slot that uses the same type of RAM as in the 6100 itself. The card supports to 32 MiB of RAM, a Creative Technology Vibra 16 sound chipset, and also includes standard PC VGA and joystick ports. With this card, the 6100 is capable of running both the Mac OS interface and DOS/Windows 3.1 side-by-side, even on different monitors. The card could also use the main system RAM if there was no SIMM installed on the card.[5]

Notable was the new startup and "sad mac" chimes: instead of the electronic "bong" that was the previous norm, it played a guitar chord strummed by jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan,[6] and instead of the "Chimes of Doom" arpeggio that played when there was a hardware error at startup, there was the sound of a car crashing and glass breaking.

This and the other NuBus-based Power Macintosh models (7100, 8100 and Workgroup Server 9150) were replaced by the Power Macintosh PCI series released in 1995, although the 6100 DOS compatible continued in production until 1996. By this time Apple had already released the anticipated "PC Personality Card" that plugged into one of the PCI slots of the newer Power Macs, featuring a 100 MHz Pentium processor.

The 6100 was the slowest Power Macintosh in terms of processor speed upon introduction. Eventually, the 6100 series was able to be upgraded through third-party solutions such as Sonnet Technologies Crescendo G3 NuBus (up to 500 MHz) and G4 NuBus (up to 360 MHz; discontinued) and Newer Technology's MaxPower G3 processor upgrades.

Early models had a CD eject button that would stick in. This was rectified on later models with a subtly re-profiled button moulding.

Models

The original Power Macintosh 6100 is based on the 60 MHz PowerPC 601 processor.[7] The base model was complemented by an AV version, which included an add-on card fitted in its Processor Direct Slot that added audio and visual enhancements such as composite and S-video input/output and full 48 kHz 16-bit DAT-resolution sound processing. A double-speed CD-ROM is included as standard.

A series of Performa models based on the 6100/60 were shipped in October 1994, collectively known as the "Performa 6100 series."[8] All Performas included an Apple Multiple Scan 15 Display, an AppleDesign Keyboard, and a suite of pre-installed software including Quicken, MacLinkPlus, American Heritage Dictionary, and Apple's eWorld online service. CD-ROMs included with all Performas included Electronic Arts' 3D World Atlas and a variety of software for children. The Performas vary only in their hard drive size and which of two software bundles are included.[8]

Software bundle 1: ClarisWorks, clip art collections, and Now Software's Up-To-Date and Contact.
Software bundle 2: Microsoft Works, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, Kid Works, Thinkin' Things, The Writing Center, Fractal Dabbler, Spaceway 2000, San Diego Zoo Presents... the Animals!, Wacky Jacks CD Gameshow.

Introduced March 14, 1994:

  • Power Macintosh 6100/60[9]
  • Power Macintosh 6100/60AV[10]

Introduced April 25, 1994:

  • Apple Workgroup Server 6150[11]

Introduced November 1, 1994:

  • Macintosh Performa 6110CD: Same specifications as the 6100/60; includes System 7.5 and a 250 MB hard drive.[12] Includes software bundle #1.
  • Macintosh Performa 6112CD: Same specifications as the 6100/60; includes System 7.5 and a 250 MB hard drive.[13] Includes software bundle #2.
  • Macintosh Performa 6115CD: Same specifications as the 6100/60; includes System 7.5 and a 350 MB hard drive.[14] Includes software bundle #1.
  • Macintosh Performa 6118CD: Same specifications as the 6100/60; includes System 7.5 and a 500 MB hard drive.[15] Includes both software bundles.

Introduced January 3, 1995:

  • Power Macintosh 6100/66[16]
  • Power Macintosh 6100/66AV[17]
  • Power Macintosh 6100/66 DOS Compatible[5]

Introduced April 3, 1995:

  • Apple Workgroup Server 6150/66[18]

Introduced July 17, 1995:

  • Macintosh Performa 6116CD: Same specifications as the 6100/60; shipped with System 7.5.1 and a 350 MB hard drive[19]
  • Macintosh Performa 6117CD: Same specifications as the 6100/60; shipped with System 7.5.1 and a 700 MB hard drive[20]

Specifications

  • Codename: Piltdown Man
  • CPU: PowerPC 601
  • CPU Speed: 60/66 MHz
  • FPU: integrated
  • Bus Architecture: NuBus
  • Bus Speed: 30/33 MHz
  • Data Path: 64 bit
  • ROM: 4 MiB Old World ROM
  • RAM Type: 72 pin EDO or FPM SIMMs (install in pairs of equal MiB amounts and equal types)
  • Maximum (fastest) RAM Speed: 60 ns
  • Minimum (slowest) RAM Speed: 80 ns
  • Onboard RAM: 8 MiB soldered to logic board
  • RAM Slots: 2
  • Maximum RAM: 72 MiB (Apple's old official amount) (higher RAM amounts are possible but only with increased risk of heat and stability issues)
  • Level 1 Cache: 16 KiB data, 16 KiB instruction (32 KiB total)
  • Level 2 Cache: optional
  • VRAM: 640 KiB DRAM "borrowed" from system RAM (2 MiB w/ Power Macintosh AV card)
  • Maximum Resolution: 1152×870 at thousands of colors (w/ AV card)
  • Slots: PDS or 7" NuBus (AV card fills both)
  • Floppy Drive: 1.44 MB SuperDrive
  • Optical Drive: optional 2× CD-ROM Apple 300i (internal 50-pin SCSI)
  • Hard Disk: 250 MB - 700 MB (internal 50-pin SCSI)
  • Ethernet: AAUI-15
  • ADB: 1
  • Serial: 2 (printer & fax/modem)
  • SCSI: DB-25
  • Video Out: HDI-45
  • Audio Out: stereo 16 bit mini
  • Audio In: stereo 16 bit mini
  • Speaker(s): mono
  • Gestalt ID: 75
  • Power: 210 watts
  • Weight: 14.5 lb (7 kg)
  • Dimensions: 3.4" H × 16.3" W × 15.6" D (86 mm × 414 mm × 396 mm)
  • Minimum OS: 7.1.2 (60 MHz version), 7.5 (66 MHz version), MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.1 (66 MHz PC Compatible model on DOS Compatibility card)
  • Maximum OS: 9.1 (Mac OS 9.2.x can be installed with a third party application called "OS9 Helper")

Timeline of Power Macintosh models

See also: Timeline of Macintosh models
Power Macintosh G5Power Macintosh G5Power Macintosh G5Power Macintosh G4Power Macintosh G4Power Macintosh G4 CubePower Macintosh G4Power Macintosh G3Power Macintosh G3Power Macintosh 8600Power Macintosh 7300Power Macintosh 9600Power Macintosh 8500Power Macintosh 7600Power Macintosh 7200Power Macintosh 9500Power Macintosh 8100Power Macintosh 7500Power Macintosh 7100Power Macintosh 6400Power Macintosh G3Power Macintosh 5500Power Macintosh 5400Power Macintosh 6500Power Macintosh 6200Power Macintosh 6100Power Macintosh 5260Power Macintosh 5200Power Macintosh 4400

References

  1. 1 2 Pogue, David; Schorr, Joseph (1999). "Chapter 13: The PowerPC Macs, Model by Model". MacWorld Mac Secrets, 5th Edition. IDG Books. pp. 512–513. ISBN 0-7645-4040-8.
  2. ↑ "Power Macintosh 6100." Apple-history.com /. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov 23, 2012. <http://apple-history.com/6100>.
  3. ↑ "Power Macintosh 6100." Low End Mac. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov 23, 2012. <http://lowendmac.com/1994/power-mac-6100/>.
  4. ↑ Gruman, Galen (June 1994). "Power Macintosh 6100/60". MacWorld Magazine. pp. 56–57.
  5. 1 2 "Power Macintosh 6100/66 DOS Compatible: Technical Specifications". Apple.
  6. ↑ "History of Apple Inc.: What Is the Macintosh Startup Chime's Story?" Quora. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov 23, 2012. <http://www.quora.com/History-of-Apple-Inc/What-is-the-Macintosh-startup-chimes-story>.
  7. ↑ "Power Macintosh 6100/60 (PC) Specs @ EveryMac.com." EveryMac. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov 23, 2012. <http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac/specs/powermac_6100_60.html>.
  8. 1 2 Crotty, Cameron (December 1994). "Power Macs Join Performa Family". MacWorld Magazine. pp. 34–35.
  9. ↑ "Power Macintosh 6100/60: Technical Specifications". Apple.
  10. ↑ "Power Macintosh 6100/60AV: Technical Specifications". Apple.
  11. ↑ "Workgroup Server 6150: Technical Specifications". Apple.
  12. ↑ "Macintosh Performa 6110CD:Technical Specifications". Apple.
  13. ↑ "Macintosh Performa 6112CD:Technical Specifications". Apple.
  14. ↑ "Macintosh Performa 6115CD:Technical Specifications". Apple.
  15. ↑ "Macintosh Performa 6118CD:Technical Specifications". Apple.
  16. ↑ "Power Macintosh 6100/66: Technical Specifications". Apple.
  17. ↑ "Power Macintosh 6100/66AV: Technical Specifications". Apple.
  18. ↑ "Workgroup Server 6150/66: Technical Specifications". Apple.
  19. ↑ "Macintosh Performa 6116CD:Technical Specifications". Apple.
  20. ↑ "Macintosh Performa 6117CD:Technical Specifications". Apple.
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