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Power Macintosh 6100

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Power Macintosh 6100 / Performa 6110 / Workgroup Server 6150
A Power Macintosh 6100/60AV
Also known as"Cognac" "PDM"[1]
DeveloperApple Computer
Product familyPower Macintosh, Performa, Workgroup Server
TypeDesktop
Release dateMarch 14, 1994 (1994-03-14)
DiscontinuedMay 18, 1996 (1996-05-18)
Operating systemSystem 7.1.2 – 9.1 (except 7.5.2)
CPUPowerPC 601, 60 MHz – 66 MHz
DimensionsHeight: 3.4 inches (8.6 cm)
Width: 16.3 inches (41 cm)
Depth: 15.6 inches (40 cm)
Mass14 pounds (6.4 kg)
PredecessorMacintosh Quadra 610
Macintosh Quadra 660AV
SuccessorPower Macintosh 6300
RelatedPower Macintosh 7100
Power Macintosh 8100

The Power Macintosh 6100 (also sold as the Performa 6110 – 6118 and the Workgroup Server 6150) is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from March 1994 to March 1996. It is the 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

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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] 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; these upgrades usually plugged into the NuBus/PDS slots of the 6100 or via the L2 cache slot (like with all other Macintoshes up until the iMac G3). This also allows it to unofficially run up to Mac OS 9.2.2 via third party programs such as "OS9 Helper".

Notable to this generation of machines were the new startup and "Sad Mac" chimes: instead of the electronic "chuff" that was used on the previous generation machines, it played a guitar chord strummed by jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan, and instead of the "Chimes of Death" 8-note arpeggio that played whenever there was a hardware error at startup, there was the sound of a car crashing.

Apple also released a PC-compatible model of the 6100/66 called the Power Macintosh 6100 DOS Compatible. This version came with a PDS compatibility 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 supported up to 32 MB of RAM, a Creative Technology Sound Blaster VIBRA 16 sound chipset, and also included 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]

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 model continued in production until 1996. By this time, Apple had already released the highly anticipated "PC Personality Card" that plugged into one of the PCI slots of the newer Power Macs, featuring a 100 MHz Pentium processor.

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

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The original Power Macintosh 6100 is based on the 60 MHz PowerPC 601 processor.[6] 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."[7] 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.[7]

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[8]
  • Power Macintosh 6100/60AV[9]

Introduced April 25, 1994:

  • Apple Workgroup Server 6150[10]

Introduced November 1, 1994:

  • Macintosh Performa 6110CD: Same specifications as the 6100/60; includes System 7.5 and a 250 MB hard drive.[11] Includes software bundle #1.
  • Macintosh Performa 6112CD: Same specifications as the 6100/60; includes System 7.5 and a 250 MB hard drive.[12] Includes software bundle #2.
  • Macintosh Performa 6115CD: Same specifications as the 6100/60; includes System 7.5 and a 350 MB hard drive.[13] Includes software bundle #1.
  • Macintosh Performa 6117CD: Same specifications as the 6100/60; shipped with System 7.5.1 and a 700 MB hard drive[14]
  • 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]

Specifications

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  • 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 MB Old World ROM
  • RAM Type: 72 pin EDO or FPM SIMMs (install in pairs of equal MB amounts and equal types)
  • Maximum (fastest) RAM Speed: 60 ns
  • Minimum (slowest) RAM Speed: 80 ns
  • Onboard RAM: 8 MB soldered to logic board
  • RAM Slots: 2
  • Maximum RAM: 72 MB (Apple's old official amount), 264 MB (with two 128 MB SIMMs)
  • Level 1 Cache: 16 KB data, 16 KB instruction (32 KB total)
  • Level 2 Cache: optional
  • VRAM: 640 KB DRAM "borrowed" from system RAM (2 MB w/ Power Macintosh AV card)
  • Maximum Resolution: 1152×870 at 256 colors and 800x600 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: 120 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 (Unofficially can run Mac OS 9.2.x with a third party application called "OS9 Helper" and a G3/G4 upgrade card)
Timeline of Power Macintosh, Pro, and Studio models
Mac ProMac StudioMac ProMac StudioMac ProMac ProMac ProPower Mac G5Power Mac G5Power Mac G4Power Mac G5Power Mac G4Power Mac G4 CubePower Mac G4Power Macintosh G3#Blue and WhitePower Macintosh 9600Power Macintosh G3Power Macintosh 8600Power Macintosh 9500Power Macintosh 8500Power Macintosh 8100Power Macintosh G3Power Macintosh 7600Power Macintosh 7300Power Macintosh 4400Power Macintosh 7500Power Macintosh 7200Power Macintosh 7100Power Macintosh 6500Power Macintosh 6400Power Macintosh 6200Power Macintosh 6100Power Macintosh G3Twentieth Anniversary MacintoshPower Macintosh 5500Power Macintosh 5400Power Macintosh 5260Power Macintosh 5200 LC
See also: List of Mac models
Timeline of Macintosh servers
Mac transition to Apple siliconCascade Lake (microprocessor)Ivy Bridge (microarchitecture)Westmere (microprocessor)Nehalem (microarchitecture)Harpertown (microprocessor)Apple Intel transitionPowerPC 970PowerPC G4PowerPC 7xxPowerPC 600Motorola 68040Mac Pro#Mac Pro ServerMac Mini#Mac Mini ServerMac Pro#Mac Pro ServerMac Mini#Mac Mini ServerApple Macintosh Server G4Apple Macintosh Server G4Apple Macintosh Server G4Apple Macintosh Server G4Apple Macintosh Server G3Apple Macintosh Server G3Apple Workgroup Server 9650Apple Workgroup Server 7350Apple Workgroup Server 8550Apple Workgroup Server 7250Apple Workgroup Server 9150Apple Workgroup Server 8150Apple Workgroup Server 6150Intel XserveXserve G5 Cluster NodeXserve G5XserveXserveXserveApple Network Server 700Apple Network Server 700Apple Network Server 500Apple Workgroup Server 60Apple Workgroup Server 95Apple Workgroup Server 80
See also: List of Mac models

References

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  1. ^ a b 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 Archived January 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Power Macintosh 6100." Low End Mac. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov 23, 2012 Archived March 17, 2018, at the Wayback Machine>.
  4. ^ Gruman, Galen (June 1994). "Power Macintosh 6100/60". MacWorld Magazine. pp. 56–57.
  5. ^ a b "Power Macintosh 6100/66 DOS Compatible: Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  6. ^ Power Macintosh 6100/60 (PC) Specs EveryMac.com." EveryMac. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov 23, 2012 Archived January 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine>.
  7. ^ a b Crotty, Cameron (December 1994). "Power Macs Join Performa Family". MacWorld Magazine. pp. 34–35.
  8. ^ "Power Macintosh 6100/60: Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  9. ^ "Power Macintosh 6100/60AV: Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  10. ^ "Workgroup Server 6150: Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  11. ^ "Macintosh Performa 6110CD:Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on March 13, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  12. ^ "Macintosh Performa 6112CD:Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  13. ^ "Macintosh Performa 6115CD:Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  14. ^ "Macintosh Performa 6117CD:Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  15. ^ "Macintosh Performa 6118CD:Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  16. ^ "Power Macintosh 6100/66: Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  17. ^ "Power Macintosh 6100/66AV: Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  18. ^ "Workgroup Server 6150/66: Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  19. ^ "Macintosh Performa 6116CD:Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
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