Power Macintosh 6500/300

Released 1997

A 300 MHz PowerPC tower with hardware-accelerated graphics, a built-in speaker and regional modem and multimedia configurations.

Type: Tower
Processor: PowerPC 603e 300 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500)
Memory: 64 MB
Storage: 4 GB – 6 GB
Screen: –
Weight: –

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Specifications

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Performance

Processor: PowerPC 603e 300 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500)
CPU cores: 1
Memory: 64 MB
Storage: 4 GB to 6 GB
CPU: 300 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: 64 MB supplied in two 168-pin DIMM sockets, no soldered system RAM; up to 128 MB using 5 V buffered EDO DIMMs. The original brochure and service source specify 60 ns or faster EDO memory, while the exact support database lists 70 ns.
Storage type: Original US Home Edition M6079LL/A and Canadian launch configuration have a 4 GB IDE drive, 12× tray-loading CD-ROM, 1.44 MB floppy and 100 MB Iomega 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; Latin America uses a 33.6 Kbit/s modem. European 6 GB/24× configurations include video input, TV/FM tuner and Avid Cinema. These are regional configurations of the same 300 MHz model.
Expansion slots: Two PCI 2.0 slots for approximately 7-inch cards with Mac drivers, plus Communications Slot II, video-input slot and TV/FM tuner position. The original Home Edition's modem occupies the communications slot; its Zip drive occupies the pre-cabled 5.25-inch internal SCSI bay. Apple specifies five external SCSI devices with Zip fitted.

Display

Screen: None built in

Connections

Ports: Headphone jack
Front ports: 3.5 mm headphone output and volume buttons; infrared receiver for an optional remote supplied with the 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. Installing the internal modem leaves one serial port available. The original US Home Edition has a 33.6 Kbit/s data/voice modem with 14.4 Kbit/s fax; the communications slot can instead take Ethernet. Apple's exact support database lists 10BASE-T, while the maker brochure and Canadian Home configuration supply a modem, so Ethernet is not treated as standard for that configuration.
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 Home Edition includes keyboard, mouse, cables and bundled home software. Monitor, Apple Video System, Avid Cinema and TV/FM tuner are separate options; later European configurations include the multimedia additions described in storage details.

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 supply later that spring. The maker's 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 300 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500)	64 MB	4 GB	Hard drive
PowerPC 603e 300 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500)	64 MB	6 GB	Hard drive

Pros and cons

Pros

Hardware acceleration for 2D and 3D graphics
Built-in speaker with subwoofer mode for external speakers
Slide-out logic board for memory and PCI access

Cons

RAM limited to 128 MB
Two PCI slots accept only short cards
No USB ports

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Processor	Memory	Storage	Screen	Weight	Released
ApplePower Macintosh 9600/300	Tower	PowerPC 604e 300 MHz (Power Macintosh 9600/300)	64 MB	4 GB	–	–	Aug 1997
ApplePower Macintosh 9600/350	Tower	PowerPC 604e 350 MHz (Power Macintosh 9600/350)	64 MB	4 GB	–	–	Aug 1997
ApplePower Macintosh 6500/250	Tower	PowerPC 603e 250 MHz (Power Macintosh 6500/250)	32 MB – 48 MB	4 GB	–	–	1997

Sources

Photo: 1000bit.it

Original Apple 6500 series catalogue photograph of the tower, keyboard, mouse and optional display; 300 MHz configuration includes the visible Zip drive: 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 fitted to the original Home and later 300 MHz configurations. The photograph shows the Zip-equipped family cabinet.: Apple; original shared 225/250/275/300 series catalogue photograph

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