In the annals of tech history, certain moments stand out as true milestones, shaping the trajectory of innovation. Enter the Power Macintosh 7500, a game-changer that etched its mark in the Apple chronicles. The year was 1995, and Apple, in its quest to redefine the computing landscape, gave birth to a powerhouse that would alter the perception of Macs forever. On that fateful August 7th, the curtain lifted on the 7500, the flagship of the Power Macintosh series aimed squarely at ushering the Mac experience into the realm of professionals.
With a price tag of $2,700, the Power Macintosh 7500 dared professionals and businesses to dream big. Its promise was clear – a potent, unwavering computing solution that blended power with reliability. Stepping into a world hungry for high-performance machines, the 7500 was not just a computer; it was a promise delivered.
Nestled within the sleek, silver-grey casing was where the magic happened. A 100 MHz PowerPC 601 processor formed the beating heart of the 7500. 8 MB or 16 MB of RAM, an ample 500 MB or 1 GB hard drive, a lightning-fast 4x CD-ROM drive, and a trusty 1.44 MB floppy drive completed this tech symphony. In an era that hungered for computing supremacy, the 7500’s specifications were nothing short of revolutionary. It was a gateway to potent applications, a canvas for multimedia creation, and a vault for substantial data storage.
Simplicity and modernism merged in the 7500’s design, a testament to Apple’s aesthetics. The plastic silver-grey casing exuded an air of sophistication, a perfect foil for the technological marvel within. The market welcomed it with open arms, lauding its performance, user-friendliness, and harmony with Apple’s ecosystem.
Regrettably, the saga of the Power Macintosh 7500 came to a close on April 1, 1996. As it bid adieu, it left behind a legacy. Today, 29 years later, the 7500’s impact still reverberates, a testament to Apple’s unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.
The Power Mac 7200 and 7500 introduced not just a new chapter but a new design philosophy. An easily removable cover, an additional internal drive bay (a leap from their predecessor, the Power Mac 7100), and a convenient flip-up drive/power supply assembly redefined accessibility. It was more than just a computer; it was a canvas of creativity.
What truly set the 7500 apart from its sibling, the 7200, was the coveted slot for a CPU daughter card. A simple switch turned the 100 MHz PPC 601 into a platform for dreams. The processor could seamlessly transform into a faster, more efficient PPC 604, 604e, G3, or even the G4. It was a portal into the future, a bridge to possibilities.
The 7500 not only processed power; it also facilitated vision. Its video-in ports on the rear enabled single-stream video output, unleashing the power of multimedia like never before. While it didn’t support dual-stream output, the 7500 was still a creative playground, opening doors to innovation.
The case of the Power Macintosh 7500 bore semblance to its predecessors, yet its internal transformation was revolutionary. The “flip open” design was a testament to Apple’s commitment to progress, making upgrades simpler than ever before.
In retrospect, the Power Macintosh 7500 wasn’t just a computer; it was a phenomenon. Its elegance, power, and adaptability merged to form a pivotal chapter in Apple’s history. As we look back, we recognize it not just as a technological marvel but as a bridge that connected the past to the future, a journey marked by relentless innovation.
Power Macintosh 7500 Details
| Introduced | August 7, 1995 |
| Discontinued | April 1, 1996 |
| Model Identifier | 68 |
| Model Number | M3979 |
| Order Number | M3100LL/A M3102LL/A |
| Original Price | $2,700 $3,000 |
| Colors | Platinum |
| Weight | 22 Ibs. 9.979 KG |
| Dimensions | 6.15” H x 14.37” W x 16.93” D 15.6 cm H x 36.5 cm W x 43 cm D |
Power Mac 7500 Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | PowerPC 601 |
| Processor Speed | 100 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 50 MHz |
| Cache | 32 KB L1 256 KB – 4 MB L2 (Optional) |
| Coprocessor | Built-in FPU |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 500 MB 1 GB |
| Media | 1 – 1.44 MB Floppy 1 – 4x CD-ROM (Optional) |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 8 MB 16 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 1 GB |
| Memory Slots | 2 – 72 pin SIMM |
| 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 1 – DAV |
| Hard Drive Interface | SCSI |
Connections
| Ethernet | AAUI-15 10BASE-T |
| Modem | None |
| Wi-Fi | None |
| Bluetooth | None |
| Infrared | None |
| ADB | 1 |
| Serial | 2 |
| SCSI | 1 – DB-25 |
| Floppy Port | None |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack 2 – RCA input |
| Audio Out | 1 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 1 – Built-in speaker 2 – RCA output |
| Display | 1 – DB-15 |
Software
| Original OS | System Software 7.5.2 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS 9.1 |
| Firmware | Macintosh ROM |
Power
| Backup Battery | 4.5 V Alkaline |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 150 W |
| Line Voltage | 100-125 V 200-240 V |
Further Reading and References
- Power Macintosh 7500/100: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Power Macintosh 7500 – Wikipedia
- Power Mac 7500 – Low End Mac
- 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: August 27, 2023
