Photo: MIKI Yoshihito / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons · source
Power Macintosh 6100
The entry point to the PowerPC era in a pizza-box case.
Overview
The Power Macintosh 6100 was the cheapest of the first three PowerPC Macs, launched together in March 1994. It used a 60 MHz PowerPC 601 (66 MHz from 1995) and the pizza-box enclosure from the Quadra 610 and 660AV.
A built-in emulator let it run existing 680x0 software, while native PowerPC programs were much faster. Memory started at 8 MB with room for more, storage was a SCSI hard disk of 160 MB to 700 MB, and a single slot took either a PDS or NuBus card. AV models added video I/O.
It was sold in consumer form as the Performa 6110 series, as a server, and even in a DOS Compatible version with a 486 card. It became a familiar sight in schools and offices.
Why it mattered
It put PowerPC hardware into mainstream buyers' hands and kicked off the architecture shift that lasted until 2006.
At a glance
- Announced
- March 14, 1994
- Released
- March 14, 1994
- Discontinued
- May 18, 1996
- Launch price
- $1,819
- Chip / processor
- PowerPC 601, 60 MHz
- Storage
- 160 to 700 MB hard disk
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- PowerPC 601 at 60 MHz, later 66 MHz
- Runs 68k software via emulation
- Slim pizza-box desktop case
- AV version with video I/O
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Chip
- Chip
- PowerPC 601, 60 MHz (66 MHz from 1995)
Memory
- RAM
- 8 MB, expandable to 72 MB (officially)
- Storage options
- 160 to 700 MB SCSI hard disk; optional CD-ROM
Expansion
- Slots
- One PDS or one NuBus slot
Design
- Dimensions
- 8.6 x 41.4 x 39.6 cm (3.4 x 16.3 x 15.6 in)
- Weight
- 6.4 kg (14 lb)
Software
- Launch OS
- System 7.1.2
- Latest supported OS
- Mac OS 9.1
Video
- VRAM
- 640 KB shared (2 MB with AV card)
- Maximum resolution
- 1152 x 870 at 256 colors
Availability
- Announced
- March 14, 1994
- Released
- March 14, 1994
- Discontinued
- May 18, 1996
- Launch price
- $1,819
Colors
- Finishes
- Platinum
