Request a product

Apple Power Macintosh 9500/180MP 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 9500/180MPApplePower Macintosh 9600/200MP
Overview
Released19961997
Performance
Processor2 × PowerPC 604e 180 MHz (Power Macintosh 8500/180)2 × PowerPC 604e 200 MHz (Power Macintosh 9600/200)
CPU cores22
GraphicsApple Accelerated Graphics (2 MB VRAM)PCI graphics accelerator (4 MB VRAM)
Memory16 MB or 32 MB32 MB
Storage2 GB4 GB
CPUTwo physical PowerPC 604e processors at 180 MHz on one removable processor card; 64 KB level-one cache per processor, 45 MHz processor bus and 512 KB level-two cache on the logic board. Multiprocessor-aware applications can use the second processor; this is not two cores inside one chipTwo 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
GPUBundled Apple Accelerated Graphics PCI card with 2 MB VRAM, expandable to 4 MB. Exact maker tables give 24-bit colour through 832 × 624, 16-bit at 1024 × 768 and 1152 × 870, and 8-bit at 1280 × 1024 with standard memory; the 4 MB upgrade permits 24-bit through 1152 × 870 and 16-bit at 1280 × 1024. The catalogue appendix claims higher colour depths and is not transferred over the exact model tablesBundled 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 type16 or 32 MB listed in Apple's service manual and worldwide catalogue; the Japanese configuration has 32 MB. Twelve 168-pin 64-bit 70 ns-or-faster DIMM sockets; matching modules in corresponding sockets enable interleaving. Exact support pages and catalogue give a 768 MB maximum; later shared Service Source gives 1536 MB using 128 MB DIMMs, while English support says those DIMMs were not tested. This expansion discrepancy remains explicit. 4 MB ROM32 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 Fast SCSI hard disk, manual-inject Apple SuperDrive floppy and AppleCD 1200i 8× CD-ROM. Additional internal drive bay; external SCSI up to seven devices at 5 MB/s and internal SCSI up to 10 MB/s4 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 slotsSix PCI 2.0 expansion slots, five free with the supplied graphics card; no NuBus slots. Processor is on a removable cardSix 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
PortsEthernet, headphone jackEthernet, headphone jack
Ethernet0.01 Gb/s0.01 Gb/s
Back portsOne ADB connector, two GeoPort/LocalTalk-compatible serial connectors, external DB-25 SCSI, AAUI-15 and 10BASE-T Ethernet connectors, 16-bit stereo sound input and output. DB-15 display connector belongs to the supplied graphics card. Both Ethernet connectors share one interface; if both are connected the service manual says 10BASE-T takes priorityOne 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 displaysOne external display through the supplied graphics card, up to 1280 × 1024 with compatible display and cables; colour depth depends on video memoryOne 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 speaker and 16-bit stereo sound input/outputBuilt-in speaker and 16-bit stereo audio input/output
MicrophonesSupports an external Apple PlainTalk microphone; shared service manual lists it as standard but the exact Japanese package list omits it, so regional inclusion remains qualifiedExternal Apple PlainTalk microphone supplied in the Japanese bundle; no built-in microphone
Keyboard and mouseJapanese configuration includes ADB Mouse II, power cable, KanjiTalk 7.5.3 CD-ROM, Apple Internet Starter Kit, manuals and warranty; keyboard and display sold separately. Shared service manual specifies system software 7.5.3 Revision 2 or later for the MP modelJapanese 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
Weight12.7 kg15.9 kg
Width × depth × height196 × 400 × 430 mm246 × 440 × 439 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailExact Japanese specifications and Service Source give 430 mm high, 196 mm wide and 400 mm deep, approximately 12.7 kg depending on installed devices. Worldwide catalogue rounds these to 429 × 196 × 401 mm and 12.6 kgExact 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 supply100–240 V AC automatically configured, single phase, 50–60 Hz. Service Source distinguishes 225 W maximum DC power-supply output from input consumption100–240 V AC automatically configured, single phase, 50/60 Hz. Shared Service Source distinguishes 390 W maximum DC supply output from AC input consumption
Power use340 W maximum continuous AC input and 520 W peak input, excluding monitor; exact Japanese specifications and Service Source agree. English support's 225 W is the DC supply rating, not AC consumption560 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 boxEnglish support gives 5 August 1996 as introduction. Apple's November 1996 worldwide product catalogue lists this exact model as an offering, supporting release year 1996; actual first-sale month/day remains unconfirmedOriginal 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