Power Macintosh 6500

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Power Macintosh 6500
Power Macintosh 6500.png
A Power Macintosh 6500
Also known as"Gazelle"
DeveloperApple Computer, Inc.
Product familyPower Macintosh
Release dateFebruary 17, 1997 (1997-02-17)
Introductory priceUS$1,800 (equivalent to $2,902 in 2020)
DiscontinuedMarch 14, 1998 (1998-03-14)
Operating systemSystem 7.5.5 (7.6.1 on the 275 and 300 MHz models) - Mac OS 9.1
CPUPowerPC 603e @ 225–300 MHz
Memory32 MB, expandable to 128 MB (60 ns 168-pin DIMM)
PredecessorPower Macintosh 6400
SuccessorPower Macintosh G3 (Mini Tower)

The Power Macintosh 6500 is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from February 1997 to March 1998 as part of the Power Macintosh family. It was introduced with speeds of 225 and 250 MHz, with two faster models at 275 and 300 MHz being added a couple of months later.

The 6500 uses the same "InstaTower" case as the Power Macintosh 6400, and is also internally similar. However, there are some differences apart from the faster processor: The 6500 has no RAM soldered to the logic board (the 6400 had 8 MB, which also explains its higher memory ceiling), and uses a different graphics processor. Models from 250 MHz upward also include video in/out capability, some of them with a hardware-accelerated Avid capture card. Some models also include a Zip drive. The Power Macintosh 5500 uses the same logic board in a 5200 style all-in-one case.

According to Apple, the Power Macintosh 6500 was the first personal computer to reach 300 MHz.[1] This milestone was announced in conjunction with a three-day "technology fair" from April 4 to 6, 1997 at Walt Disney World, co-hosted by Apple and Disney.[2]

The 6500 was discontinued in March 1998, a few months after the Power Macintosh G3 Mini Tower was introduced.

Models[]

Introduced February 1997:

  • Power Macintosh 6500/225[3]
  • Power Macintosh 6500/250[4]

Introduced April 1997:

  • Power Macintosh 6500/275[5]
  • Power Macintosh 6500/300[6]

Introduced September 1997:
All machines include a 12X CD-ROM drive and a 33.6 KB/s modem.

  • Power Macintosh 6500/225 Home Edition: 4 GB hard drive. $1,600 USD.[7]
  • Power Macintosh 6500/250 Home Edition: 4 GB hard drive. $2,000 USD.[7]
  • Power Macintosh 6500/275 Home Edition: 4 GB hard drive. $2,500 USD.[7]
  • Power Macintosh 6500/275 Small Business Edition: 4 GB hard drive. 48 MB memory. Internal 100 MB Iomega zip drive. $2,800 USD.[7]
  • Power Macintosh 6500/275 Creative Studio Edition: 4 GB hard drive, 32 MB memory, 512 KB L2 cache, Avid Cinema card, Apple Video System, TV/FM Radio System.[1]
  • Power Macintosh 6500/300 Home Edition: 4 GB hard drive. 64 MB memory. $3,000 USD.[7]

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 G3#Blue and WhitePower 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. ^ a b "Power Macintosh 6500 series - Small, Home Business and Creative Studio editions" (PDF). Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. ^ "Apple Introduces First 300 Megahertz Desktop Computer". April 4, 1997.
  3. ^ "Power Macintosh 6500/225: Technical Specifications". Apple.
  4. ^ "Power Macintosh 6500/250: Technical Specifications". Apple.
  5. ^ "Power Macintosh 6500/275: Technical Specifications". Apple.
  6. ^ "Power Macintosh 6500/300: Technical Specifications". Apple.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Apple unveils Mac OS 8 machines - The company refreshes its Power Macintosh 6500 line of computers for consumers and small businesses". CNet. September 15, 1997.

External links[]

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