Request a product

Apple Power Macintosh 6500/275 vs Apple Power Macintosh 9600/300

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

ApplePower Macintosh 6500/275ApplePower Macintosh 9600/300
Overview
Released1997August 1997
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC 603e 275 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500)PowerPC 604e 300 MHz (Power Macintosh 9600/300)
CPU cores11
Graphics–IXMICRO Twin Turbo 128M8 (8 MB VRAM)
Memory32 MB or 48 MB64 MB
Storage4 GB to 6 GB4 GB
CPU275 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 cache, 512 KB L2 cache and a 64-bit 50 MHz bus. The shared service specifications use the name 603ev; the exact support page and original brochure use 603e.300 MHz PowerPC 604e with 64 KB L1 cache, 1 MB L2 cache, 100 MHz cache bus and 50 MHz system bus
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.Bundled IXMICRO Twin Turbo 128M8 PCI video card with 8 MB VRAM; Apple lists output up to 1600 × 1200 pixels
Memory typeOriginal Creative Studio supplies 32 MB in two 168-pin DIMM sockets, with no soldered system RAM; up to 128 MB using 5 V buffered EDO DIMMs. Later Americas Small Office configurations supply 48 MB. The original brochure and service specify 60 ns or faster EDO memory, while the exact support database lists 70 ns. The service narrative calls 48 MB generic 275 memory, whereas its regional tables and original brochure identify 32 MB configurations.64 MB standard with twelve 168-pin DIMM slots, expandable to 768 MB according to Apple
Storage typeOriginal US Creative Studio M5854LL/A and Canadian launch configuration have a 4 GB IDE drive, 12× tray-loading CD-ROM and 1.44 MB floppy, without a Zip drive. Later Americas configurations documented by Apple have 6 GB, 24× CD-ROM, Zip and a 56.6 Kbit/s Apple/GV modem with Mac OS 8.0; a 32 MB Home bundle and 48 MB Small Office bundle are distinguished. An Americas education configuration has 32 MB, Zip, video input, NTSC output and Ethernet. Asia/Pacific configurations include 32 MB, 24× CD-ROM, video input and Avid Cinema. Gallery photographs show the Zip-equipped configuration.4 GB internal SCSI hard drive, 1.44 MB floppy, 24× CD-ROM and built-in Iomega Zip drive
Expansion slotsTwo PCI 2.0 slots for approximately 7-inch cards with Mac drivers; the original Creative Studio Avid Cinema card occupies one, leaving one free. Communications Slot II, video-input slot and TV/FM tuner position are present. The modem occupies the communications slot; the original Creative Studio has a spare pre-cabled 5.25-inch SCSI bay, used by Zip in later configurations. Apple specifies five external SCSI devices with Zip fitted, six otherwise.Six PCI slots, one occupied by the bundled graphics card; pre-wired 5.25-inch SCSI expansion bay and two 3.5-inch drive bays
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsHeadphone jackEthernet
Front ports3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; infrared receiver for the remote supplied with the Creative Studio TV/FM tuner.–
Back portsDB-15 monitor output, ADB, DB-25 external SCSI, two GeoPort-compatible serial connectors, PlainTalk-compatible sound input and line-level speaker output. The installed modem leaves one serial port available. Original Creative Studio has a 33.6 Kbit/s data/voice modem and 14.4 Kbit/s fax; the communications slot can instead take Ethernet. The exact support database lists 10BASE-T and the service documents an education Ethernet configuration, but the original Creative Studio supplies a modem. Its Apple Video System supports NTSC, PAL and SECAM input; Avid Cinema provides video editing and NTSC/PAL output.Apple Desktop Bus, external DB-25 SCSI, two serial ports, AAUI and 10BASE-T Ethernet, DB-15 video on the graphics card, stereo audio input and output
External displays–Bundled graphics card supports one external display at up to 1600 × 1200 pixels
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.–
Keyboard and mouseOriginal US Creative Studio includes keyboard, mouse, cables, Apple Video System, TV/FM Radio System, Avid Cinema hardware/software and creative applications; monitor is sold separately. Later regional Home and Small Office configurations have different software and Zip hardware. The maker primary and gallery show a Zip-equipped 6500 family configuration; the original Creative Studio 4 GB configuration does not include Zip.–
Design and power
TypeTowerTower
Width × depth × height198 × 428 × 406 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.Apple lists 17.3 × 9.7 × 17.3 inches (height × width × depth) and 35 lb
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.Apple lists a 560 W maximum
In the boxExact support page lists original software 7.6.1; later regional configurations use Mac OS 8.0. Apple lists 4 April 1997 as introduction, while its Canadian announcement promises limited 275/300 supply later that spring. The 1997 ordering brochure and contemporary shipping-system list establish retail sale in 1997, but the actual first-sale month remains unresolved.Apple's 5 August 1997 announcement says the 9600/300 was available immediately worldwide with Mac OS 8. Its support sheet lists original system software as 7.6.1.

More comparisons