The Apple Power Macintosh 8600/250, based on the Kansas architecture, features a 250 MHz PowerPC 604e "Mach 5" processor, 32 MB of RAM, a 4.0 GB hard drive, a 24X CD-ROM drive, an internal Zip drive, and built-in graphics acceleration and S-video ports for video input and output as well as RCA ports for video and sound input and output in a well-designed, "flip open" tower case design that is significantly easier to upgrade than earlier Power Mac tower cases.

• 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 5, 1997*

Discontinued Date:

December 13, 1997

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. *This model was first introduced in North America on September 2, 1997. Also see: All Macs introduced in 1997.

Processor Speed:

250 MHz

Processor Type:

PowerPC 604e

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:

50 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

100 MHz*

Details:

*This model has a 50 MHz system bus and a 100 MHz "inline" level 2 cache bus.

ROM Type:

Macintosh ROM

ROM Size:

4 MB

Details:

N/A

L1 Cache:

64k

L2 Cache:

1 MB (Inline)

Details:

1 MB "inline" level 2 cache on its own 100 MHz bus.

RAM Type:

168-pin DIMM

Min. RAM Speed:

70 ns

Details:

Supports eight 70 ns 168-pin DIMMs.

Standard RAM:

32 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:

4 GB

Int. HD Interface:

SCSI

Details:

*By default, this model is configured with a 4.0 GB internal SCSI hard drive.

Standard Optical:

24X CD-ROM*

Standard Disk:

1.44 MB* (Manual)

Details:

*This model also has a built-in Iomega Zip drive.

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:

*Remaining open 5.25" drive bay is front-facing.

Case Type:

Tower

Form Factor:

Power Mac 9600

Details:

N/A

Apple Order No:

M5905LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

Power Mac 8600

Details:

N/A

Apple Model No:

N/A

Gestalt ID:

103

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. Also see: All Macs with the N/A Model Number and 103 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:

7.6.1

Supported Mac OS:

7.6.1-9.1

Details:

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

Dimensions:

17.3 x 9.7 x 17.3

Avg. Weight:

35.0 lbs (15.9 kg)

Details:

In inches - height by width by depth, (43.9 cm, 24.6 cm, 43.9 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$3199

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-240V AC, 50-60 Hz Frequency, 560 Max Watts. Icon Credit: Apple Computer, Inc.

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