Photo: Benoît Prieur / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons · source
Power Macintosh 7100
The mid-range Power Mac, known inside Apple as "Carl Sagan".
Overview
The Power Macintosh 7100 sat in the middle of the original PowerPC lineup. It used a 66 MHz PowerPC 601 (an 80 MHz version followed in January 1995) in the sturdier Macintosh IIvx-style case, which provided more drive bays and expansion than the 6100.
Memory started at 8 MB, 80 ns SIMMs could take it to 136 MB, and an optional 256 KB level-2 cache card improved performance. VRAM started at 1 MB and could be upgraded; an AV card with S-Video input and output was available.
Its engineering code name, Carl Sagan, led to a legal dispute with the astronomer, and the name was changed to LAW. Apple offered a SoftWindows bundle for running PC software.
Why it mattered
It was the workhorse of the first PowerPC generation for creative and business customers.
At a glance
- Announced
- March 14, 1994
- Released
- March 14, 1994
- Discontinued
- January 6, 1996
- Launch price
- $2,899
- Chip / processor
- PowerPC 601, 66 MHz
- Storage
- SCSI hard disk
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- 66 MHz PowerPC 601, later 80 MHz
- Up to 136 MB of RAM
- Optional level-2 cache card
- AV version with video input and output
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Chip
- Chip
- PowerPC 601, 66 MHz (80 MHz from 1995)
Memory
- RAM
- 8 MB, expandable to 136 MB
Design
- Dimensions
- 15 x 33 x 42 cm (6 x 13 x 16.5 in)
- Weight
- 11 kg (25 lb)
Software
- Launch OS
- System 7.1.2
- Latest supported OS
- Mac OS 9.1
Video
- VRAM
- 1 MB, expandable to 2 MB (AV card: 2 MB with S-Video in/out)
Expansion
- Cache
- Optional 256 KB level-2 cache card
Availability
- Announced
- March 14, 1994
- Released
- March 14, 1994
- Discontinued
- January 6, 1996
- Launch price
- $2,899
Colors
- Finishes
- Platinum
