 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
 A Power Macintosh 6100/60AV | |
| Also known as | "Cognac" "PDM"[1] |
|---|---|
| Developer | Apple Computer |
| Product family | Power Macintosh,Performa,Workgroup Server |
| Type | Desktop |
| Release date | March 14, 1994 (1994-03-14) |
| Discontinued | May 18, 1996 (1996-05-18) |
| Operating system | System 7.1.2 –9.1 (except 7.5.2) |
| CPU | PowerPC 601, 60 MHz – 66 MHz |
| Dimensions | Height: 3.4 inches (8.6 cm) Width: 16.3 inches (41 cm) Depth: 15.6 inches (40 cm) |
| Weight | 14 pounds (6.4 kg) |
| Predecessor | Macintosh Quadra 610 Macintosh Quadra 660AV |
| Successor | Power Macintosh 6300 |
| Related | Pioneer MPC-CX1 Power Macintosh 7100 Power Macintosh 8100 Apple Workgroup Server 9150 |
ThePower Macintosh 6100 (also sold as thePerforma 6110 –6118 and theWorkgroup Server 6150) is apersonal computer designed, manufactured and sold byApple Computer from March 1994 to March 1996. It is the first computer from Apple to use the newPowerPC processor created byIBM andMotorola. Thepizza-box case was inherited from theCentris/Quadra 610 and660AV models,[2] and replaced theMacintosh Quadra series that used theMotorola 68040 processor, Apple's previous high-end workstation line.
For the consumer market, the 6100 was re-branded as aMacintosh Performa with model numbers in the 6110 – 6118 range denoting bundled software and hard drive sizes.[3] AnApple Multiple Scan 15 Display andAppleDesign Keyboard were included as part of the package. For the server market, a variant was offered with additional server software, called theApple Workgroup Server 6150.
The 6100 was discontinued without a direct replacement.
The 6100 was introduced alongside thePower Macintosh 7100 andPower Macintosh 8100 and occupied the entry-level role of the newPower Macintosh family.
MacWorld's review of the 6100/60 noted that "Not only has Apple finally regained the performance lead it lost about eight years ago when PCs appeared using Intel's 80386 CPU, but it has pushed far ahead."[4] Performance of 680x0 software is slower due to the need for System 7.5's newMac 68k emulation layer, butMacWorld's benchmarks showed noticeably faster CPU, disk, video and floating point performance than the Quadra 610 it replaced.
The 60 MHz models were upgraded to 66 MHz in January 1995.[1] The 6100 was the slowest Power Macintosh in terms of processor speed upon introduction. Eventually, the 6100 series was able to be upgraded through third-party solutions such as Sonnet Technologies' Crescendo G3 NuBus (up to 500 MHz) and G4 NuBus (up to 360 MHz; discontinued) andNewer Technology's MaxPower G3 processor upgrades; these upgrades usually plugged into the NuBus/PDS slots of the 6100 or via the L2 cache slot (like with all other Macintoshes up until the iMac G3). These upgrades also allowed the 6100 to unofficially run up to Mac OS 9.2.2 via third party programs such as "OS9 Helper".
Notable to this generation of machines were the new startup and "Sad Mac" chimes: instead of the electronic "chuff" that was used on the previous generation machines, it played a guitar chord strummed by jazz guitaristStanley Jordan, and instead of the "Chimes of Death" 8-note arpeggio that played whenever there was a hardware error at startup, there was the sound of a car crashing.
Apple also released a PC-compatible model of the 6100/66 called the Power Macintosh 6100DOS Compatible. This version came with aPDScompatibility card with anIntel 80486 DX2/66 processor (without L2 cache) and a singleSIMM RAM slot that uses the same type of RAM as in the 6100 itself. The card supported up to 32 MB of RAM, aCreative TechnologySound Blaster VIBRA 16 sound chipset, and also included standard PCVGA andjoystick ports. With this card, the 6100 is capable of running both the Mac OS interface and DOS/Windows 3.1 side-by-side, even on different monitors. The card could also use the main system RAM if there was no SIMM installed on the card.[5]
This and the otherNuBus-based Power Macintosh models (7100,8100 andWorkgroup Server 9150) were replaced by the Power MacintoshPCI series released in 1995, although the 6100 DOS Compatible model continued in production until 1996. By this time, Apple had already released the highly anticipated "PC Personality Card" that plugged into one of the PCI slots of the newer Power Macs, featuring a 100 MHzPentium processor.
Early models had a CD eject button that would stick in. This was rectified on later models with a subtly re-profiled button moulding.
The original Power Macintosh 6100 is based on the 60 MHz PowerPC 601 processor.[6] The base model was complemented by an AV version, which included an add-on card fitted in itsProcessor Direct Slot that added audio and visual enhancements such ascomposite andS-video input/output and full 48 kHz 16-bitDAT-resolution sound processing. A double-speedCD-ROM is included as standard.
A series of Performa models based on the 6100/60 were shipped in October 1994, collectively known as the "Performa 6100 series."[7] All Performas included anApple Multiple Scan 15 Display, anAppleDesign Keyboard, and a suite of pre-installed software includingQuicken,MacLinkPlus,American Heritage Dictionary, and Apple'seWorld online service. CD-ROMs included with all Performas included Electronic Arts' 3D World Atlas and a variety of software for children. The Performas vary only in their hard drive size and which of two software bundles are included.[7]
Software bundle 1:ClarisWorks, clip art collections, andNow Software's Up-To-Date and Contact.
Software bundle 2:Microsoft Works,Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, Kid Works,Thinkin' Things, The Writing Center, Fractal Dabbler, Spaceway 2000, San Diego Zoo Presents... the Animals!,Wacky Jacks CD Gameshow.
Introduced March 14, 1994:
Introduced April 25, 1994:
Introduced November 1, 1994:
Introduced January 3, 1995:
Introduced April 3, 1995:
Introduced July 17, 1995:
| Timeline of Power Macintosh, Pro, and Studio models |
|---|
 See also:List of Mac models |
| Timeline of Macintosh servers |
|---|
 See also:List of Mac models |
