250 MHz PowerPC 603e with 32 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 cache and a 50 MHz system bus
GPU
Built-in video uses 2 MB SGRAM; Apple lists 24-bit colour up to 832 × 624 pixels and 8-bit colour at 1280 × 1024
Memory type
32 or 48 MB in Apple's Canadian configurations, with two 168-pin DIMM slots and 128 MB maximum
Storage type
4 GB internal ATA hard drive, 1.44 MB floppy and 12× CD-ROM in Apple's Canadian launch configurations; a Zip drive was fitted to some bundles
Expansion slots
Two PCI slots plus communications, TV and video-input expansion slots; the communications slot carried a modem in some configurations
Display
Screen
None built in
Connections
Ports
Ethernet, headphone jack
Back ports
Apple Desktop Bus, DB-15 video, external DB-25 SCSI, two serial ports, 10BASE-T Ethernet, audio connections and front headphone jack
Speakers
Built-in stereo sound with integrated subwoofer, as described in Apple's Canadian launch notice
Design and power
Type
Tower
Operating system
macOS
Size and weight detail
Apple lists 16 × 7.8 × 16.9 inches (height × width × depth) and 44.5 lb
In the box
Apple support lists 17 February 1997 as introduction. Its 4 April 1997 Canadian launch notice confirms the 6500/250 available immediately, but does not establish that as its first on-sale date; released is therefore year-only. The photographed seller unit's installed components were not used for the original configurations.
Configurations
Processor
Memory
Storage
Storage type
PowerPC 603e 250 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500/250)
32 MB
4 GB
Hard drive
PowerPC 603e 250 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500/250)
48 MB
4 GB
Hard drive
Pros and cons
Pros
+Built-in 10BASE-T Ethernet
+Stereo sound with an integrated subwoofer
+Zip drive available in Apple's launch configurations
Original Apple January 1998 shared 6500 series front photograph with optional monitor, keyboard and mouse; Zip is supplied only in some 250 MHz bundles. The photograph shows the Zip-equipped family cabinet.: Apple; original shared 225/250/275/300 series catalogue photograph
