Power Macintosh 6100/66: Description (8/95)


The Power Macintosh 6100/66 is a high performance Macintosh model incorporating the PowerPC 601 RISC processor.

Overview
--------
The Power Macintosh 6100/66 and Power Macintosh 6100/66AV are the most affordable members of the high-performance line of Macintosh computers that use the revolutionary PowerPC chip technology. With this technology, they deliver the performance that business and education users demand while maintaining the legendary Macintosh ease of use and the ability to run virtually all existing Macintosh applications. And the current generation of Power Macintosh 6100 computers offers performance increases of up to 30 percent over the previous 6100 models.

In addition, they run applications accelerated for Power Macintosh computers at two to six times the speed of Macintosh computers based on the 68040 chip. Both computers also support MS-DOS and Windows applications when using Insignia Solutions' SoftWindows software, or with the installation of the Power Macintosh 6100 DOS Compatibility Card.

Based on the 66-megahertz PowerPC 601 microprocessor co-developed by Apple, IBM, and Motorola, the Power Macintosh 6100/66 and 6100/66AV both have built-in, floating-point math coprocessors and come with 8 megabytes of RAM, expandable to 72 megabytes. They provide on-board high-speed Ethernet support as well.

Both computers support most Apple and third-party displays, including monochrome, color, VGA, and SVGA. The 6100/66AV supports 32,000 colors on all Apple displays and also supports NTSC and PAL monitors.

Both computers can easily be expanded. The Power Macintosh 6100/66 has eight built-in ports and one expansion slot. The Power Macintosh 6100/66AV has 11 built-in ports and supports a second simultaneous display.

Support for GeoPort telecommunications (integrating your computer and phone services), speech recognition, and text-to-speech capabilities is built into both computers. The 6100/66AV adds S-video and composite video input as well as output for use with televisions, video cameras, and video recorders.

The Power Macintosh 6100/66 and Power Macintosh 6100/66AV provide an affordable gateway to Power Macintosh technology and the future of personal computing.

Power and Speed
---------------
* 66-MHz PowerPC 601 microprocessor with floating-point processor and 32K
cache
* 256K level-2 cache

Memory
------
* 4 MB ROM
* 256 bytes of non-volatile parameter memory
* 8 MB of RAM standard, expandable to 72 MB
* 2 SIMM slots
* SIMMs can be 4 MB, 8 MB, 16 MB or 32 MB, but must be installed in pairs
of the same size AND speed. For example, you should install two 8 MB
SIMMs in first two adjoining slots.
* Possible RAM configurations are 8 MB, 16 MB, 24 MB, 40 MB, and 72 MB.
* 80 ns SIMMs or faster
* L2 Cache Slot for Optional Macintosh Cache Card

RAM note: All 8MB RAM configurations come with 8MB of RAM soldered onto
the logic board

Display
-------
* 640k of non-expandable DRAM-based video display support
* 2MB of non-expandable VRAM for second display (6100/66AV only)
* Support for NTSC and PAL input and output (6100/66AV only)
* Video input/output (6100/66AV only)

Audio System
------------
* Custom sound circuitry, including stereo generator capable of driving
stereo miniplug headphones or audio equipment. Also includes stereo
sampling hardware for recording samples.

Expansion
---------
* Eight built-in ports to support a wide range of peripherals (6100/66AV
has eleven)
* Slot for processor-direct or NuBus adapter card (6100/66 only)
* Optional internal CD-ROM drive
* On-board Ethernet (AAUI)
* PlainTalk microphone

System software
---------------
System 7.5 software
* Makes working with applications consistent so they're easier to learn and
use
* Allows easy customization of your Macintosh to fit the way you work
* Apple Guide provides active assistance in learning new features
* Lets you open and use MS-DOS and Windows documents

Networking
----------
* Built-in AppleTalk networking
* File sharing without a dedicated server
* On-board Ethernet networking

Compatibility
-------------
* Runs Macintosh applications
* Runs MS-DOS and Windows applica- tions (special configurations only)
* Reads Macintosh, Windows, MS-DOS, OS/2, and ProDOS floppy disk formats

What's in the box:
------------------
Each unit includes a power cord, keyboard cable, mouse, microphone,
and system software.

System software includes System 7.5 for Power Macintosh, System Enabler, Color Macintosh Basics, AppleScript 1.1, QuickTime 2.0, and HyperCard Runtime 2.2.

System software shipped on a bootable CD-ROM, the "Install Me First CD"
which can double as a rescue disk.#

Documentation included with the Power Macintosh 6100/60:
* Power Macintosh Getting Started
* Technical Information
* Macintosh Reference
* AppleCD 300i Plus User's Guide#

# CD-ROM and AppleCD 300i Plus User's Guide bundled with configurations
which include an internal CD-ROM drive.

Configurations and Ordering Information:
----------------------------------------
Power Macintosh 6100/66*
Order No. M3631LL/A
Power Macintosh 6100/66 computer with 8MB of RAM, built-in 1.4MB Apple SuperDrive, internal 350MB hard disk drive, and Power Macintosh Display Adapter

Order No. M3632LL/A
With 8MB of RAM, 350MB hard disk, and internal CD-ROM drive

Order No. M3972LL/A
With 16MB of RAM, 500MB hard disk, and DOS Compatibility Card for Power Macintosh 6100 (see separate data sheet)

Power Macintosh AV Card
Order No. M3447LL/A

Upgrades the Power Macintosh 6100/66 to a Power Macintosh 6100/66AV computer

Power Macintosh 6100/66 NuBus Adapter Card
Order No. M2337LL/A

Power Macintosh Display Adapter
Order No. M2681LL/A For use with 6100/66AV built-in video support

Power Macintosh GeoPort Telecom Adapter
Order No. M3127LL/A

Macintosh Memory Expansion Kits
(Must be installed in pairs by an authorized service provider)

Order No. M3651LL/A
4MB (1ð4MB SIMM)

Order No. M3652LL/A
8MB (1ð8MB SIMM)

Order No. M3372LL/A
16MB (1ð16MB SIMM)


Article Change History:
29 Aug 1995 - Added information about DRAM.
03 Jan 1995 - Made article public.

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Published Date: Feb 19, 2012