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apple-history / Power Macintosh 9600

# Power Macintosh 9600

Essentials

Family: PowerMac

Codename: Kansas

Gestalt ID: 67

Minimum OS: 7.5.5

Maximum OS: 9.1

Introduced: February 1997

Terminated: Early 1998

Processor

CPU: PowerPC 604e

CPU Speed: 200/233/200x2/300/350 MHz

FPU: integrated

Bus Speed: 50 MHz

Register Width: 32-bit

Data Bus Width: 64-bit

Address Bus Width: 32-bit

Level 1 Cache: 32 kB data, 32 kB instruction

Level 2 Cache: 512 kB DIMM

ROM: 4 MB

RAM Type: 168 pin DIMM

Minimum RAM Speed: 70 ns

Onboard RAM: 0 MB

RAM slots: 12

Maximum RAM: 1536 MB

Expansion Slots: 6 PCI

Storage

Hard Drive: 4.0 GB 7200 RPM

Floppy Drive: 1.4 MB SuperDrive

Optical Drive: 12x CD-ROM

Input/Output

ADB: 1

Serial: 2 Mini DIN-8

SCSI: DB-25

Audio Out: stereo 16 bit mini

Audio In: stereo 16 bit mini

Speaker: mono

Networking

Ethernet: AAUI-15, 10Base-T

Miscellaneous

Power: 390 Watts

Dimensions: 17.3" H x 9.7" W x 17.3" D

Weight: 35 lbs.

Notes

The Minimum System Software for the 300 and 350 MHz models was 7.6.1. These models used a "Mach 5" 604e processor with a 1 MB inline level 2 cache, shipped with a 24x CD-ROM, and required 60 ns or faster RAM.

The flagship of what might be termed the third wave of Power Macs, the 9600 was announced in February 1997. It was packadged in an eye-pleasing new tower design, built to make its insides more easily accessable. It ran on 233, 200 or dual 200 MHz 604e's.

Although it looked different on the outside, the motherboard was basically the same design as that of the 9500. The 9600 was originally priced at $4,700 for the dual 200 MHz configuration, $4,200 for the single 233 MHz, and $3,700 for the single 200 MHz. In August, the 9600 was "speed bumped" with either a 300 or 350 MHz "Mach 5" chip, a new high speed variant on the 604e. The 350 MHz version barely shipped before Apple took it off the market, partially because of the small supply of 350 MHz chips, but mostly because their upcoming PPC 750-based "Gossomer" Macs (the PowerMac G3) would eclipse it both in performance and price.

The 350-MHz 9600 returned several months later to fill out the High-End market. While the G3 was in many cases faster, its motherboard had only three PCI slots and three RAM slots. With superior expandability, the 9600 was still the high-end choice for many.

Picture Credits:
John Greenleigh/Flipside Studios