Apple · Power Mac

Power Macintosh 6100/66 DOS Compatible

Released 1995

A low-profile PowerPC desktop with a separate 66 MHz Intel 486 processor for DOS and Windows 3.1 applications.

Model history · 2 models, 1994–1995

1994Macintosh Quadra 610 DOS Compatible Compare
1995Power Macintosh 6100/66 DOS Compatible

Type: Compact
Processor: PowerPC 601 66 MHz (Power Macintosh 6100/66)
Memory: 16 MB
Storage: 500 MB
Screen: –
Weight: –

Compact

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Specifications

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Performance

Processor: PowerPC 601 66 MHz (Power Macintosh 6100/66)
CPU cores: 1
Memory: 16 MB
Storage: 500 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Display

Screen: None built in

Connections

Ports: Ethernet
External displays: 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.
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.
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.

Design and power

Type: Compact
Width × depth × height: 414 × 396 × 86 mm
Operating system: 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.
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.
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.

Configurations

Processor	Memory	Storage	Storage type
PowerPC 601 66 MHz (Power Macintosh 6100/66)	16 MB	500 MB	Hard drive

Pros and cons

Pros

Independent Macintosh and DOS processors
Shared peripherals and support for two displays
Sound Blaster-compatible PC audio

Cons

DOS card occupies the only expansion position
Dedicated PC memory is limited to 32 MB
Ethernet requires an AAUI transceiver

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Processor	Memory	Storage	Screen	Weight	Released
AppleMacintosh Performa 6300CD	Compact	PowerPC 603e 100 MHz (Macintosh Performa 6300CD)	16 MB	1.2 GB	–	–	1995
ApplePower Macintosh 6100/66AV	Compact	PowerPC 601 66 MHz (Power Macintosh 6100/66AV)	8 MB – 16 MB	350 MB	–	6.4 kg	1995
ApplePower Macintosh 6200/75	Compact	PowerPC 603 75 MHz (Macintosh Performa 5200CD)	8 MB – 16 MB	500 MB	–	8.6 kg	1995

Previous model: Macintosh Quadra 610 DOS Compatible.

Sources

Photo: Apple (April 1995 AppleFacts)

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