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Apple Power Macintosh 6500/275 · Apple; shared 6500 series press photograph shows a Zip-equipped configuration, unlike the original Creative Studio edition
Apple · Power Mac
Power Macintosh 6500/275
A 275 MHz PowerPC tower offered with video-editing hardware in its original Creative Studio edition and later regional configurations.
- Type
- Tower
- Processor
- PowerPC 603e 275 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500)
- Memory
- 32 MB – 48 MB
- Storage
- 4 GB – 6 GB
- Screen
- –
- Weight
- –
Product links
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specPerformance
- Processor
- PowerPC 603e 275 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500)
- CPU cores
- 1
- Memory
- 32 MB or 48 MB
- Storage
- 4 GB to 6 GB
- CPU
- 275 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.
- GPU
- ATI 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.
- Memory type
- Original 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.
- Storage type
- Original 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.
- Expansion slots
- Two 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.
Display
- Screen
- None built in
Connections
- Ports
- Headphone jack
- Front ports
- 3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; infrared receiver for the remote supplied with the Creative Studio TV/FM tuner.
- Back ports
- DB-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.
- Speakers
- Built-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 mouse
- Original 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
- Type
- Tower
- Width × depth × height
- 198 × 428 × 406 mm
- Operating system
- macOS
- Size and weight detail
- Maker 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.
- Power supply
- Exact 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.
- In the box
- Exact 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.
Configurations
| Processor | Memory | Storage | Storage type |
|---|---|---|---|
| PowerPC 603e 275 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500) | 32 MB | 4 GB | Hard drive |
| PowerPC 603e 275 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500) | 32 MB | 6 GB | Hard drive |
| PowerPC 603e 275 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500) | 48 MB | 6 GB | Hard drive |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Creative Studio includes video input, TV/FM tuner and Avid Cinema
- Built-in speaker with subwoofer mode for external speakers
- Slide-out logic board for memory and PCI access
Cons
- RAM limited to 128 MB
- Creative Studio has only one free PCI slot
- No USB ports
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Processor | Memory | Storage | Screen | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tower | PowerPC 603e 250 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500/250) | 32 MB – 48 MB | 4 GB | – | – | 1997 | |
| Tower | PowerPC 603e 300 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500) | 64 MB | 4 GB – 6 GB | – | – | 1997 | |
| Tower | PowerPC 604e 300 MHz (Power Macintosh 9600/300) | 64 MB | 4 GB | – | – | Aug 1997 |
Sources
- support.apple.com/en-euro/112088
- 1000bit.it/ad/bro/apple/applepowermac6500.pdf
- apple.com/ca/fr/press/1997/04/6500-300.html
- macdat.net/files/pdf/apple/servicesource/powermac_6400-6500.pdf
- vintageapple.org/applefacts/pdf/Apple_Facts_9708_8.97_August_1997.pdf
- vintageapple.org/macuser/pdf/MacUser_9708_August_1997.pdf
- vintageapple.org/applefacts/pdf/Apple_Facts_9801_1.98_January_1998.pdf
- Original Apple 6500 series catalogue photograph of the tower, keyboard, mouse and optional display; shown with a Zip drive as in later 275 MHz configurations, not the original Creative Studio edition: vintageapple.org/applefacts/pdf/Apple_Facts_9708_8.97_August_1997.pdf
- Original Apple January 1998 shared 6500 series front photograph with optional monitor, keyboard and mouse; Zip is absent from the original Creative Studio edition and fitted to later 275 MHz bundles. The photograph shows the Zip-equipped family cabinet.: Apple; original shared 225/250/275/300 series catalogue photograph