The Apple Power Macintosh 8500/120, based on the Nitro architecture, features a 120 MHz PowerPC 604 processor, 16 MB of RAM, a 1.0 GB or 2.0 GB hard drive, a 4X CD-ROM drive, and built-in S-video ports for video input and output as well as RCA ports for video and sound input and output in the same expandable tower case design introduced by the Quadra 800.

Please note that single-stream video output is supported by this model, but dual-stream output is not.

• Tech Specs
• Ports

Click on the category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.

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Introduction Date:

August 7, 1995

Discontinued Date:

April 1, 1996

Details:

The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. Also see: All Macs introduced in 1995.

Processor Speed:

120 MHz

Processor Type:

PowerPC 604

Details:

This model has a 32-bit processor and a 64-bit data path.

Processor Upgrade:

Daughtercard

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

A variety of third-party processor upgrades and accelerators were available.

System Bus Speed:

40 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

N/A

Details:

N/A

ROM Type:

Macintosh ROM

ROM Size:

4 MB

Details:

N/A

L1 Cache:

32k

L2 Cache:

256k

Details:

N/A

RAM Type:

168-pin DIMM

Min. RAM Speed:

70 ns

Details:

Supports eight 70 ns 168-pin DIMMs.

Standard RAM:

16 MB

Maximum RAM:

1.0 GB*

Details:

*Officially, this model supports a maximum of 512 MB of RAM. However, third-parties have discovered that it actually can support 1024 MB (1.0 GB) of RAM with eight 128 MB memory modules. Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

8

Details:

RAM can be interleaved (installed in matching pairs) to improve performance.

Video Card:

Dedicated*

VRAM Type:

1 MB VRAM DIMM*

Details:

*By default, this model has 2 MB of VRAM installed as two 1 MB VRAM DIMMs.

Standard VRAM:

2 MB*

Maximum VRAM:

4 MB*

Details:

*By default, this model has 2 MB of VRAM installed as two 1 MB VRAM DIMMs. It has four dedicated VRAM DIMM slots that each can be populated with a 1 MB VRAM DIMM for a total maximum of 4 MB of VRAM.

Display Support:

Single Display*

Resolution Support:

832x624*

Details:

*With the default 2 MB of VRAM, this model supports a single display at 512x384, 640x480, 800x600 or 832x624 at 24-bit, 1024x768 or 1152x870 at 16-bit, and 1280x1024 at 8-bit. With the maximum 4 MB of VRAM installed, it supports 512x384, 640x480, 800x600, 832x624, 1024x768, or 1152x870 at 24-bit and 1280x1024 at 16-bit.

2nd Display Support:

Mirroring Only

2nd Max. Resolution:

Variable*

Details:

*With 4 MB of VRAM installed, this model can mirror the primary display on a secondary display or television.

Standard Hard Drive:

1 GB, 2 GB

Int. HD Interface:

SCSI

Details:

*By default, this model is configured with a 1.0 GB or 2.0 GB internal SCSI hard drive.

Standard Optical:

4X CD-ROM

Standard Disk:

1.44 MB (Manual)

Details:

N/A

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

AAUI, 10Base-T

Details:

This model has both AAUI and 10Base-T Ethernet onboard.

Expansion Slots:

3 PCI

Expansion Bays:

1 5.25"*

Details:

*The system has one open front-facing 5.25" drive bay. Another front-facing 5.25" drive bay is occupied by the optical drive.

Case Type:

Tower

Form Factor:

Mac Quadra 800

Details:

N/A

Apple Order No:

M3104LL/A*

Apple Subfamily:

Power Mac 8500

Details:

*M3104LL/A refers to the configuration with a 1.0 GB hard drive. The configuration with a 2.0 GB hard drive was assigned order number M3105LL/A.

Apple Model No:

M3409

Gestalt ID:

69

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. Also see: All Macs with the M3409 Model Number and 69 Gestalt ID. For more about identifiers and how to locate them on modern Macs, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

3.6V Lithium

Battery Life:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Original Mac OS:

7.5.2

Supported Mac OS:

7.5.2-9.1

Details:

Earlier and later versions of the Macintosh System/Finder and Mac OS are not supported.

Dimensions:

14.0 x 7.7 x 15.75

Avg. Weight:

25.3 lbs (11.3 kg)

Details:

In inches - height by width by depth, (35.6 cm, 19.6 cm, 40 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$4000, US$4500

Est. Current Retail:

N/A

Details:

Photo Credit: Apple Computer, Inc.

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

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Video (Monitor):

1 (DB-15)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

N/A

ADB:

1

SCSI:

1 (DB-25)

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

2*

Details:

*Two Geoport serial ports standard (one printer, one modem).

Modem:

None

Ethernet:

2*

Details:

*Both AAUI-15 and 10Base-T Ethernet standard.

S-Video Input:

1*

S-Video Output:

1*

Details:

S-video input and composite (RCA) video input and output ports.

Microphone:

1 (PlainTalk)

Sound In:

None*

Details:

*Single microphone sound in port. RCA ports for sound input, too.

Sound Out:

1 (16-Bit Stereo)

Headphone:

None*

Details:

*Single rear-mounted sound out port. RCA ports for sound output, too.

Security (Lock):

1

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

1

Power Adapter:

N/A

Details:

100V-125V or 200V-240V AC, 50-60 Hz Frequency, 225 Max Watts. Icon Credit: Apple Computer, Inc.

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