Apple Power Macintosh 6100/66 DOS Compatible vs Apple Power Macintosh 6100/66AV
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| ApplePower Macintosh 6100/66 DOS Compatible | ApplePower Macintosh 6100/66AV | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | 1995 | 1995 |
| Performance | ||
| Processor | PowerPC 601 66 MHz (Power Macintosh 6100/66) | PowerPC 601 66 MHz (Power Macintosh 6100/66AV) |
| CPU cores | 1 | 1 |
| Memory | 16 MB | 8 MB or 16 MB |
| Storage | 500 MB (better) | 350 MB |
| CPU | Macintosh side uses a 66 MHz PowerPC 601 with integrated FPU and PMMU, 32 KB L1 cache, 256 KB L2 cache and a 64-bit data path at 33 MHz. The separate Intel 80486DX2-66 on the DOS Compatibility Card runs at 66 MHz with a 33 MHz bus and 8 KB internal cache; it runs PC applications independently, rather than adding a second PowerPC core. The main processor comparison describes the Macintosh processor only. | 66 MHz PowerPC 601 with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 cache, standard 256 KB L2 cache and 64-bit data path at 33 MHz; 4 MB ROM |
| GPU | Macintosh HDI-45 video uses system DRAM. The DOS card has separate 512 KB video RAM and a VGA controller; Sound Blaster-compatible 16-bit stereo playback is mixed with Macintosh and CD audio. PC sound hardware provides output only, while Macintosh audio has input and output. | AV video card with fixed 2 MB VRAM, plus separate HDI-45 video using system DRAM |
| Memory type | 8 MB on the Macintosh logic board and two 72-pin SIMM slots installed in pairs; maximum supported Macintosh RAM 72 MB. The DOS card can share selected Macintosh memory or use its own single 72-pin SIMM up to 32 MB; PC-local memory is not additional Macintosh RAM. AppleFacts also lists 8 MB system memory, but the shown 16 MB/500 MB factory configuration is explicitly ordered as M3972LL/A in Apple's TIL 16756. | 8 MB soldered to the logic board and two 72-pin noncomposite 80 ns SIMM sockets accepting a matched pair; maximum 72 MB total. English support lists an 8 MB minimum; Japanese 6100/66 bundle includes 16 MB, with the AV card sold separately. |
| Storage type | M3972LL/A has a 500 MB internal hard drive, plus built-in 1.44 MB Apple SuperDrive floppy; optional double-speed CD-ROM reads Macintosh and DOS discs. Exact current support gives a broader 350–500 MB range; the initial January newsletter anticipated 16 MB/350 MB before final availability, so that prospective configuration is not added. DOS drive files reside on the Macintosh hard drive. | English support lists a 350 MB internal SCSI hard drive. Original Apple TIL describes 8 MB/350 MB 6100/66 bundles and states that the AV card upgrades them to the 66AV; Japan offers 16 MB/350 MB with 2× AppleCD 300i Plus and separately sold AV card. Those AV-installed configurations are shown, without implying that the Japanese AV card was bundled. Service Source lists CD-ROM standard in some 66AV configurations and optional in others; 1.44 MB Apple SuperDrive floppy is built in. |
| Expansion slots | The sole processor-direct expansion position is occupied by the DOS Compatibility Card and its adapter; AV and NuBus expansion cannot coexist in that position. The PC processor card has a local-memory SIMM socket and sound expansion card. | One processor-direct expansion position occupied by the AV card. A NuBus adapter cannot be used while retaining the AV card. |
| Display | ||
| Screen | None built in | None built in |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | Ethernet | Ethernet |
| External displays | Up to 2 | Up to 2 |
| Back ports | ADB, HDI-45 Macintosh display output, DB-25 external SCSI, two GeoPort serial ports, AAUI Ethernet, microphone input and speaker output. The DOS card's 26-pin connection uses a monitor adapter cable with display and PC joystick connectors. Macintosh serial and printer interfaces can emulate PC connections, with compatibility limits in the developer guide. | ADB, AAUI-15 Ethernet, HDI-45 and DB-15 video, external DB-25 SCSI, two LocalTalk/GeoPort serial ports, 16-bit stereo audio input and output, and S-video input and output with composite adapters |
| External displays | One shared display or two separate simultaneous Macintosh and PC displays; only one environment receives keyboard and mouse input at a time. Macintosh video supports 512 × 384 and 640 × 480 at 16-bit colour, or 832 × 624 at 8-bit. DOS card supports VGA/SVGA displays; the developer note lists shared VGA 640 × 480 and SVGA 800 × 600 monitors. Depth and supported modes depend on environment and driver. | Two simultaneous displays using DRAM and AV-card outputs. AV VRAM supports 24-bit colour at 640 × 480 and 832 × 624, or 16-bit colour at 1024 × 768 and 1152 × 870. Only one monitor or television can be attached to the AV card at a time. |
| Keyboard and mouse | Apple's DOS-card specification lists the compatibility card, MS-DOS 6.22 manual and disks, Windows 3.1, Macintosh PC Exchange User's Guide and monitor cable. Gallery monitor, keyboard and mouse illustrate the original maker setup and do not establish a universal factory bundle. | Original Apple TIL lists power cord, keyboard cable, mouse and microphone; Japanese standard 6100/66 bundle includes mouse and display adapter with keyboard sold separately. AV-card and regional bundle accessories remain distinct. |
| Design and power | ||
| Type | Compact | Compact |
| Weight | – | 6.4 kg |
| Width × depth × height | 414 × 396 × 86 mm | 415 × 399 × 85 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Size and weight detail | Original AppleFacts gives 86 × 414 × 396 mm (height × width × depth), used here. Exact support gives 3.4 × 16.3 × 15.6 inches and 14 lb; shared service manual gives 85 × 415 × 399 mm and 6.4 kg depending on installed devices. AppleFacts prints inconsistent 16.2 lb and 3.3 kg; headline weight omitted rather than resolving that conflict by guessing. | Shared Service Source gives 85 × 415 × 399 mm and 6.4 kg, varying with installed devices. Japanese 6100/66 page gives 396 mm depth; April 1995 AppleFacts gives 86 × 411 × 396 mm and 6.3 kg. Different maker measurements remain qualified; shared service values retained for this AV record. |
| Power supply | Exact support lists 210 W maximum and automatically configured 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz. Shared-family Service Source separately gives 132 W maximum continuous AC input, 201 W peak input excluding monitor power, and 86 W continuous DC output; these ratings retain their different conditions. | Automatically configured 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz. Exact English support lists 210 W maximum. Shared Service Source separately gives 132 W maximum continuous and 201 W peak AC input, excluding monitor power, with 86 W continuous DC output; conditions remain qualified. |
| In the box | Original System 7.5 with PowerPC Enabler 1.1.1, MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.1. Apple support records introduction on 3 January 1995; January Apple Directions only promises first-quarter shipments. April 1995 AppleFacts lists the current product and the contemporary June TidBITS review describes a purchased unit, establishing sale in 1995 without proving the first-sale month. Apple explicitly calls the earlier Quadra 610 DOS Compatible its predecessor. | Exact support lists original System 7.5 with PowerPC Enabler 1.1.1 and introduction on 3 January 1995. April 1995 AppleFacts lists the current 6100/66 with an Apple AV configuration, and Apple's TIL describes the AV-card upgrade. Release year 1995 retained; first-sale month unresolved. Japanese standard bundles include KanjiTalk 7.5 CD-ROM, manuals and warranty. |
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