In the ever-evolving tech landscape, April 21, 1997, marked a pivotal moment in Apple’s history as the tech giant ventured into the server market with the release of the Workgroup Server 7350. A member of the esteemed Workgroup Server series, the 7350 promised unparalleled performance and reliability for small and medium-sized businesses.
The Workgroup Server 7350, powered by a robust 180 MHz PowerPC 604e processor, was designed to cater to the diverse needs of medium-sized workgroups in education, business, and publishing. Boasting file, print, Internet/intranet, and applications server capabilities, it was an ideal solution for workgroups utilizing both Mac OS and Windows. This server was particularly well-suited for organizations aiming to establish an intranet that was not only easy to use but also easy to support and maintain.
Despite some users expressing concerns about its $2,900 price tag, the Macintosh Workgroup Server 7350 offered an impressive package with 48 MB of RAM, a 4 GB hard drive, a 12x CD-ROM drive, and a 1.44 MB floppy drive. While not without flaws, its specifications were ahead of its time, positioning it as a versatile and powerful solution for businesses.
The WGS 7350 came in three distinct versions — the “Application Server Solution,” the “AppleShare Server Solution,” and the “Internet Server Solution” — each tailored to specific user needs with pre-installed software. Despite being sold worldwide, its business counterpart, the Power Macintosh 7300, was exclusively available in the US market.
While the Workgroup Server 7350 enjoyed a positive reception, some users criticized its steep price. Nevertheless, it stood as a significant milestone in Apple’s history, showcasing the company’s commitment to innovation and design. Unfortunately, its reign was short-lived, as Apple discontinued the 7350 just a year after its debut on March 2, 1998.
Today, 27 years after its introduction, the Workgroup Server 7350 remains a nostalgic relic of Apple’s early strides into the server market. Despite its brief existence, the Mac Server 7350 serves as a testament to Apple’s relentless pursuit of excellence in both innovation and design. As we celebrate its anniversary, we reflect on the impact this server had on shaping Apple’s future endeavors and the tech industry as a whole.
Workgroup Server 7350 Details
| Introduced | April 21, 1997 |
| Discontinued | March 2, 1998 |
| Model Identifier | 109 |
| Model Number | M3979 |
| Order Number | M5641LL/A M5639LL/A M5642LL/A |
| Original Price | $2,900 $3,400 $3,600 |
| Colors | Platinum |
| Weight | 22 Ibs. 9.979 KG |
| Dimensions | 6.15” H x 14.37” W x 16.93” D 15.62 cm H x 36.5 cm W x 43 cm D |
Workgroup Server 7350 Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | PowerPC 604e |
| Processor Speed | 180 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 45 MHz |
| Cache | 64 KB L1 256 KB L2 |
| Coprocessor | Built-in FPU |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 4 GB |
| Media | 1 – 1.44 MB Floppy 1 – 12x CD-ROM |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 48 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 1 GB |
| Memory Slots | 8 – 168 pin DIMM |
| Minimum Speed | 70 ns |
| ROM | Unknown |
| Interleaving Support | Yes |
Display
| Built-in Display | None |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | None |
| Graphics Memory | 2 MB 4 MB |
| Display Connection | 1 – DB-15 |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | 3 – PCI |
| Hard Drive Interface | SCSI |
Connections
| Ethernet | None |
| Modem | 10BASE-T and AAUI-15 |
| Wi-Fi | None |
| Bluetooth | None |
| ADB | 1 |
| Serial | 2 |
| SCSI | 1 – DB-25 |
| Floppy Port | None |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack |
| Audio Out | 1 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 1 – Built-in speaker |
| Display | 1 – DB-15 |
Software
| Original OS | Mac OS 7.6.1 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS 9.1 |
| Firmware | Macintosh ROM |
Power
| Backup Battery | 3.6 V Lithium |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 150 W |
| Line Voltage | 100-130 V / 200-270 V AC |
Further Reading and References
- Workgroup Server 7350/180: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Apple Workgroup Server – Wikipedia
- Workgroup Server 7350/180 – IT History Society
- Apple courts workgroups – CNET
- Power Macintosh 7300/ 7500/7600 & WS 7350 Service Source (PDF) – Apple Repair Manuals
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: November 25, 2023
