Request a product

Apple Power Macintosh 8600/200 vs Apple Power Macintosh 9600/200MP

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

ApplePower Macintosh 8600/200ApplePower Macintosh 9600/200MP
Overview
Released19971997
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC 604e 200 MHz (Power Macintosh 8600/200)2 × PowerPC 604e 200 MHz (Power Macintosh 9600/200)
CPU cores12
Graphics–PCI graphics accelerator (4 MB VRAM)
Memory32 MB32 MB
Storage2 GB4 GB
CPU200 MHz PowerPC 604e with integrated floating-point unit, 64 KB L1 cache and 256 KB L2 cacheTwo physical PowerPC 604e processors at 200 MHz on one removable processor card; each has 32 KB instruction and 32 KB data caches. 50 MHz processor bus and 512 KB level-two cache soldered to the logic board. Under classic Mac OS the primary CPU runs the system and interrupts, while MP-aware applications schedule tasks on the second CPU; this is not two cores inside one chip
GPUBuilt-in video with 2 MB VRAM, expandable to 4 MB; standard VRAM supports 1024 × 768 at 16-bit colour and 1280 × 1024 at 8-bit colourBundled PCI graphics accelerator with 4 MB non-expandable VRAM. Exact Japanese specifications and developer note give 16-bit colour at 1280 × 1024 and 1600 × 1200, and 24-bit colour through 1152 × 870. The catalogue’s 24-bit 1280 × 1024 claim conflicts with those tables and is not transferred. Exact card identity is not inferred from a sibling
Memory type32 MB standard, expandable to 512 MB using eight 168-pin DIMM slots32 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 type2 GB internal SCSI hard drive, 1.44 MB floppy drive, 12× CD-ROM drive and Iomega Zip drive4 GB internal Fast SCSI hard disk, manual-inject Apple SuperDrive floppy and 12× internal CD-ROM. Shared service manual names AppleCD 1800i, while developer note names AppleCD 1600i; exact mechanism name remains unresolved, so the published speed is retained. No standard Zip drive on the original 200MP; later 9600 variants differ
Expansion slotsThree PCI slots and additional internal drive baysSix 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
PortsEthernetEthernet, headphone jack
Ethernet–0.01 Gb/s
Back portsDB-15 monitor, Apple Desktop Bus, external DB-25 SCSI, two serial ports, AAUI and 10BASE-T Ethernet, stereo audio input and output, S-video and composite video input and output, RCA audio input and outputOne 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 displaysBuilt-in video supports one external monitor at up to 1280 × 1024 pixels; colour depth depends on fitted VRAMOne 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
Speakers–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 mouse–Japanese configuration includes ADB Mouse II, PlainTalk microphone, power cable, KanjiTalk 7.5.5 CD-ROM, Internet Starter Kit, sample CDs, manuals and warranty. Keyboard and display are sold separately
Design and power
TypeTowerTower
Weight–15.9 kg
Width × depth × height–246 × 440 × 439 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailApple lists 17.3 × 9.7 × 17.3 inches and 35 lbExact Japanese maker specifications: 439 mm high, 246 mm wide and 440 mm deep, 15.9 kg, varying with installed devices. Worldwide catalogue rounds height to 440 mm. Shared 8600/9600 service physical table gives a conflicting 224 mm width; the exact 9600/200MP specification takes precedence
Power supplyApple lists a 390 W maximum100–240 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 boxOriginal System Software 7.5.5. Apple lists 17 February 1997 as introduction and expected Canadian availability in March; a distinct verified first-sale date was not established.Original system software 7.5.5 with MP-specific support; Japanese bundle uses KanjiTalk 7.5.5. Apple announced the 9600 family on 17 February 1997 and planned Canadian availability from March; August maker catalogue lists the exact 200MP offering, supporting release year 1997. Exact actual first-sale month/day remains unconfirmed. Developer note explicitly identifies 9500/180MP as predecessor

More comparisons