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Apple Power Macintosh G3 266 Desktop Specs

Identifiers: Power Mac G3 DT - M6202LL/A* - N/A* - M3979 - None

All Power Macintosh G3 Models | All 1997 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

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Apple Power Mac G3The Apple Power Macintosh G3/266 Desktop, based on the compact Gossamer architecture, features a 266 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor with 512k of backside cache, 32 MB of RAM, a 4.0 GB hard drive, a 24X CD-ROM drive, ATI 3D Rage II+, Rage Pro (starting May 1, 1998), or Rage Pro Turbo (starting August 12, 1998) graphics acceleration with 2 MB of VRAM (expandable to 6 MB), and the standard "Whisper personality card" with audio input/output -- all packed into an easily expandable desktop case.

The Power Macintosh G3 models were the first Apple Macs to use the "third-generation" (G3) PowerPC 750 processor which also unveiled a new "backside" level 2 cache for a substantial performance boost compared to earlier systems using a "lookaside" level 2 cache.

There were at least two different "standard" configurations of the Power Macintosh G3/266 Desktop -- the original version (M6202LL/A) equipped with ATI 3D Rage II+ or ATI Rage Pro graphics and a Zip drive for US$2400 and a second revision (M6508LL/A) -- introduced August 12, 1998 -- configured with ATI Rage Pro Turbo graphics and no Zip drive for US$1599.

Custom configuration options included an Ultra/Wide SCSI hard drive, internal DVD-ROM drive, internal Zip drive, 10/100Base-T Ethernet, superior graphics, and a Firewire card among others.

Despite the age of this system, site sponsor Other World Computing has RAM, hard drives, SSDs, and other upgrades available for this specific Mac while supplies last.


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


November 10, 1997* December 14, 1998
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.

*Second configuration (M6508LL/A) with ATI Rage Pro Turbo graphics and no Zip drive introduced on August 12, 1998.

Also see: All Macs introduced in 1997.
1 N/A
Details: N/A These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the N/A* Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare Geekbench results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
266 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3)
Details: N/A
ZIF Socket Integrated
Details: The Power Macintosh G3 models have the processor mounted on a ZIF socket.
66 MHz 133 MHz
Details: This system has a 133 MHz backside bus and 512k of level 2 cache.
Macintosh ROM 4 MB
Details: N/A
64k 512k (backside)
Details: The 512k of backside cache has a 133 MHz bus.
PC66 SDRAM 10 ns
Details: Supports low profile 10 ns PC66 168-pin SDRAM.
32 MB 768 MB*
Details: *Apple officially reports that the maximum memory capacity of this system is 192 MB with three low profile 64 MB memory modules. However, third-parties have been able to upgrade the RAM to 768 MB with three 256 MB low-profile memory modules.

Site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this Power Macintosh G3.

In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this Power Mac G3.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.
None 3
Details: There is no performance advantage to installing memory modules in pairs.
3D Rage II+* EDO SGRAM
Details: *ATI 3D Rage II+ graphics onboard originally, upgraded to ATI Rage Pro starting May 1, 1998, and upgraded to ATI Rage Pro Turbo starting August 12, 1998 (M6508LL/A).
2 MB* 6 MB*
Details: *This model has 2 MB of VRAM onboard and a single expansion slot that supports an additional 4 MB of VRAM (3.3V 83 MHz 144-pin SO-DIMM).
Single Display 1024x768*
Details: Apple advertised that this system can support "thousands of colors at up to 1024 by 768-pixel resolution (24-bit), [and] millions of colors at up to 832 by 624-pixel resolution (32-bit), refresh rate of up to 85 Hz." It can support resolutions up to 1600x1200 with the maximum 6 MB of VRAM installed.
None N/A
Details: N/A
4.0 GB N/A
Details: Shipped standard with an IDE/ATA-2 hard drive.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this Power Mac G3.

Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.
3.5" (25.4 mm) IDE/ATA-2 & SCSI*
Details: *Shipped standard with a 3.5" IDE/ATA-2 hard drive but also has an internal SCSI bus (up to 5 MB/second). It is designed to hold one internal hard drive and one front-facing Zip 100. Drive capacity must be smaller than 128 GB.
24X CD-ROM 1.44 MB (Manual)
Details: 24X tray-loading CD-ROM drive standard. An optional DVD-ROM drive was available by custom configuration (did not support MPEG-2 video playback without a third-party solution). Internal Zip 100 drive standard in original configuration (M6202LL/A), available build-to-order in second configuration (M6508LL/A).
56k (optional) 10Base-T*
Details: *10/100Base-T Ethernet also was available as a build-to-order option.
None None
Details: N/A
None None*
Details: *Firewire "400" available via build-to-order.
3 PCI, Personality* 2 3.5"
Details: *In the default configuration, this model has three open 33 MHz PCI slots and the "personality card" slot that is occupied by a "Whisper personality card" providing audio input/output.

It has two 3.5" drive bays (one is internal and intended for a hard drive, and one is external and intended for a Zip 100 drive). By default, the external 3.5" bay is occupied by a Zip 100 drive in the original configuration (M6202LL/A) and open in the second configuration (M6508LL/A). The system also has an external 5.25" drive bay occupied by the optical drive.
AppleDesign Keyboard Apple ADB Mouse II
Details: N/A
Desktop Power Mac G3 DT (Beige)
Details: N/A
M6202LL/A* Power Mac G3 DT
Details: *M6202LL/A was the model number assigned to the original configuration with ATI 3D Rage II+ or ATI Rage Pro graphics and a Zip drive. M6508LL/A refers to the configuration introduced August 12, 1998 with ATI Rage Pro Turbo graphics and no Zip drive. The configurations are otherwise identical.
M3979 (EMC None) N/A*
Details: *This model does not have a Model Identifier. Its Gestalt ID is 510.

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.

Also see: All Macs with the M3979 Model Number, the None EMC Number, and the N/A* Model Identifier.

For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.
3.6V Lithium N/A
Details: N/A
8.0 X 10.2.8
Details: This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.2.8.
Boot/Classic Mode Emulation Only
Details: All Power Macintosh G3 models are capable of booting Mac OS 9 and using Mac OS 9 applications within the Mac OS X "Classic" environment.
6.3 x 14.4 x 16.9 22.0 lbs. (10 kg)
Details: In inches - height by width by depth, (16 cm, 36.6 cm, 42.9 cm).
US$2400* N/A
Details: *The first configuration originally sold for US$2400 (M6202LL/A). The second configuration sold for US$1599 (M6508LL/A).

Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).

Photo Credit: Apple Computer.


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.


1 (DB-15) None
Details: N/A
1 1 (DB-25)
Details: Single ADB port and single SCSI port.
2* 2*
Details: *Two Geoport compatible serial ports standard (one printer, one modem).
None None*
Details: *Firewire "400" available via build-to-order.
1* (RJ-11) 1* (RJ-45)
Details: *Internal 56k modem optional, 10Base-T Ethernet standard, 10/100Base-T available via build-to-order.
None None
Details: N/A
None 1
Details: Includes a single analog 16-bit stereo sound in jack via "Whisper personality card".
1 None
Details: Includes a single analog 16-bit stereo sound out jack via "Whisper personality card".
1 N/A
Details: N/A
1 N/A
Details: 100-240V AC. 230W maximum.

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the Power Macintosh G3 models follow.



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