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Apple Power Macintosh 6500/225 vs Apple Power Macintosh 9600/233

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

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ApplePower Macintosh 6500/225ApplePower Macintosh 9600/233
Overview
Released19971997
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC 603e 225 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500)PowerPC 604e 233 MHz (Power Macintosh 9600/233)
CPU cores11
Graphics–IMS Twin Turbo-128 PCI graphics accelerator (4 MB VRAM; Japanese configuration)
Memory32 MB32 MB
Storage2 GB to 3 GB4 GB
CPU225 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 cache, 256 KB L2 cache and 64-bit 50 MHz bus. Shared service specifications use the name 603ev; exact support and original brochure use 603e.One 233 MHz PowerPC 604e on a removable processor card with integrated floating-point unit, 64 KB level-one cache and 512 KB level-two cache soldered to logic board. Exact Japanese maker page gives 46.6 MHz system bus; English support table instead gives 50 MHz, and this conflict remains explicit.
GPUATI 3D RAGE II with 2 MB built-in SGRAM, supporting QuickDraw 2D/3D and QuickTime/MPEG-1 acceleration; Apple's exact support table gives 24-bit colour through 832 × 624, 16-bit through 1152 × 870 and 8-bit at 1280 × 1024. The brochure's 24-bit headline ends at 800 × 600.Japanese maker product page names an Integrated Micro Solution Twin Turbo-128 accelerator with 4 MB fixed VRAM, 24-bit colour through 1280 × 1024 and 16-bit at 1600 × 1200. Original US brochure instead limits 24-bit colour to 1152 × 870. Both specify up to 1600 × 1200; regional colour-depth difference remains qualified, and no exact card board designation is inferred.
Memory type32 MB RAM, no soldered system memory; two 168-pin DIMM sockets permit up to 128 MB using 5 V buffered EDO DIMMs. Original brochure and service specify 60 ns or faster memory, while exact support database lists 70 ns; these published conditions are retained.32 MB standard, twelve 168-pin 64-bit 70 ns-or-faster DRAM DIMM sockets, up to 768 MB officially supported; matching modules in corresponding sockets permit interleaving. English support says 128 MB DIMMs may work but were not tested; these are not treated as an approved expansion configuration. 4 MB ROM
Storage typeApril 1997 US Home Edition M5611LL/A has 32 MB, a 3 GB IDE hard drive, 12× tray-loading CD-ROM, 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy and no factory Zip drive in its exact ordering table. Exact support lists 2 or 3 GB and original 12× optical; shared service specifies a 2 GB 225 MHz configuration. Generic later family optical and storage choices are not assigned to this clock without exact configuration evidence. Shared family photographs show an optional Zip-equipped cabinet, unlike the original Home Edition blank bay.4 GB internal Fast SCSI hard disk, manual-inject 1.44 MB Apple SuperDrive floppy and AppleCD 1800i 12× CD-ROM in shared Service Source. No standard Zip drive on original 233 configuration; later 300 and 350 MHz models differ. Internal Fast SCSI up to 10 MB/s and external SCSI up to 5 MB/s.
Expansion slotsTwo PCI 2.0 slots for approximately 7-inch cards with Macintosh drivers; Communications Slot II used by modem or Ethernet, video-input slot and TV/FM tuner position. Home Edition has a pre-cabled 5.25-inch SCSI bay for another internal SCSI device, used by Zip on some family configurations. Apple specifies six external SCSI devices, five when optional Zip is installed.Six PCI 2.0 expansion slots, five free with the supplied graphics card. Additional internal storage bays and removable processor card; no NuBus slots. Side-panel release permits access to memory, PCI cards and processor
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackEthernet, headphone jack
Ethernet–0.01 Gb/s
Front ports3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; infrared receiver for the remote supplied with the optional TV/FM Radio System.–
Back portsADB, DB-15 monitor output, external DB-25 SCSI, two GeoPort-compatible serial connectors, PlainTalk-compatible sound input and stereo line-level output. Original Home Edition has a 33.6 Kbit/s data/voice modem and 14.4 Kbit/s fax in Communications Slot II; it uses one serial port. Exact support lists 10BASE-T but notes some models have a modem in that slot, and later maker catalogue explicitly says Ethernet or modem varies by configuration. Ethernet is not assigned universally. Optional Apple Video System provides NTSC/PAL/SECAM input; Avid Cinema supplies video editing and NTSC/PAL output when installed.One ADB connector, two GeoPort/LocalTalk-compatible serial connectors, external SCSI, AAUI-15 and 10BASE-T Ethernet connectors, 16-bit stereo sound input and output. DB-15 monitor connector belongs to the supplied PCI card. Both Ethernet connectors share one interface; with both connected, the service manual says 10BASE-T takes priority
External displays–One external monitor via the supplied graphics card, up to 1600 × 1200 with compatible display and cables; developer note says the card does not support sync-on-green monitors
SpeakersBuilt-in full-range monophonic speaker acts as a subwoofer when external speakers are connected; balance adjustment operates only with external speakers. 16-bit stereo input/output and SRS 3D surround processing.Built-in speaker and 16-bit stereo audio input/output
Microphones–External Apple PlainTalk microphone supplied in the Japanese bundle; no built-in microphone
Keyboard and mouseUS Home Edition M5611LL/A includes keyboard, mouse, cables, 33.6 Kbit/s modem and home software bundle. Monitor, Apple Video System, TV/FM Radio System and Avid Cinema are optional. Original 225 MHz ordering configuration has no Zip; photographs are explicitly shared 6500 family views showing the optional Zip-equipped cabinet and optional display, not proof of factory Home Edition equipment.Original US M5883LL/A bundle includes AppleDesign keyboard, ADB Mouse II, PlainTalk microphone, System 7.5.5 or later, Internet software and documentation. Japanese bundle includes ADB Mouse II, PlainTalk microphone, power cable, KanjiTalk 7.5.5 CD-ROM, Internet Starter Kit and sample CDs, manuals and warranty; keyboard and monitor sold separately there.
Design and power
TypeTowerTower
Weight–15.9 kg
Width × depth × height198 × 428 × 406 mm246 × 440 × 439 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailMaker brochure gives 40.6 × 19.8 × 42.8 cm (height × width × depth) and 20.2 kg, varying with installed devices. The shared service manual gives 20.18 kg without the CD-ROM; standard complete-unit weight remains unresolved and the headline mass is omitted. Gallery monitor is optional.Exact Japanese 9600/233 maker page gives 439 mm high, 246 mm wide and 440 mm deep, 15.9 kg varying installed devices. US brochure rounds height to 440 mm; shared Service Source gives conflicting 224 mm width, so the exact model specification takes precedence.
Power supplyExact support database and original brochure give 220 W maximum continuous, 100–125 or 200–240 V AC at 47–63 Hz. The shared Service Source instead gives 140 W for the 6500 and 90–130 or 180–264 V; the conflicting ratings are retained, and neither is treated as measured operating consumption.100–240 V AC automatically configured, single phase, 50/60 Hz. Shared Service Source distinguishes 390 W maximum DC supply output from AC input consumption
Power use–560 W maximum continuous AC input and 700 W peak input, excluding monitor; exact Japanese specification and shared service manual agree. English support’s 390 W matches the service manual’s DC output rating, so it is not treated as AC consumption
In the boxExact support lists original System 7.5.5 and Enabler 411, with introduction on 17 February 1997. April 1997 current Home Edition ordering brochure establishes sale in 1997; exact first-sale month remains unresolved. Later shared family software varies, and is not treated as the original 225 MHz bundle.Apple lists 17 February 1997 as introduction. Exact February 1997 US maker brochure includes current ordering information and directs buyers to resellers; MacUser August 1997 explicitly reports the exact 233 MHz model shipping in quantity. Release year 1997 retained; actual first-sale month/day remains unconfirmed. Single processor, distinct from 200MP and Workgroup Server 9650/233.

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