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When discussing the iconic milestones of computing history, the Apple Power Macintosh 9500 undoubtedly secures its spot in the pantheon. Unveiled on June 19, 1995, this computing marvel not only pushed the boundaries of innovation but also helped sculpt the very essence of modern computing. A masterpiece of its era, the Power Macintosh 9500, hailing from Apple’s distinguished Power Macintosh series, was a revolutionary workstation tailored to the demands of professionals.
The Power Macintosh 9500 was an embodiment of cutting-edge features that set it leagues apart from its competitors. With its beating heart resonating at 120 MHz / 132 MHz or 150 MHz, powered by either the PowerPC 604 or the Dual 180 MHz or 200 MHz PowerPC 604e processor, this computing powerhouse shattered performance benchmarks. Backed by 16 MB or 32 MB of RAM and a formidable 1 GB or 2 GB hard drive, the 9500 was unrelenting in its pursuit of excellence.
This trailblazing machine boasted additional refinements, including a 4x CD-ROM or 8x CD-ROM drive, a 1.44 MB floppy drive, and the impressive 2 MB ixMicro Twin Turbo graphics card. Each element was meticulously engineered to culminate in an unparalleled user experience.
Despite its groundbreaking achievements, the Power Macintosh 9500 was discontinued on February 17, 1997. Today, as the 28-year anniversary of its birth approaches, the 9500 continues to resonate with the Apple faithful, etching its place as a paragon of innovation. The synthesis of its design, performance, and advanced features laid the cornerstone for the evolution of modern computing devices that grace our lives today.
The Power Macintosh 9500 ascended as the flagship model of the Power Macintosh series, marking a pivotal moment as Apple Computer introduced the first-ever PCI-based Macintosh on that fateful June day in 1995. Outshining even the Power Macintosh 7500 and 8500 by a two-month margin, the 9500 was an emblem of progress.
This prodigious machine embraced a single PowerPC 604e processor or, for the ambitious, two PowerPC 604e processors mounted on a daughter card ingeniously fitted onto the motherboard. However, its role as a desktop publishing (DTP) champion rendered it distinct from multimedia production. Strikingly, it arrived sans RCA-style audio jacks or video input/output ports, necessitating a separate purchase of the Apple Accelerated Graphics Card or a third-party graphics card to facilitate monitor connectivity.
The Power Macintosh 9500 didn’t just offer speed; it exuded power and potential. A plenitude of expansion options beckoned, with the capability to house up to 6 PCI slots and support a whopping 768 MB of RAM. This behemoth was unequivocally the embodiment of a high-end Macintosh powerhouse, transcending boundaries.
Further solidifying its pioneering spirit, the Power Macintosh 9500 was the first-ever multiprocessor Mac. The 1990s saw Apple’s experimentation with and discontinuation of multiprocessor Macs, ultimately paving the way for their mainstream integration with the advent of Power Mac G4 and G5 computers. The era-defining shift was fully realized with the arrival of Intel Core Duo Macintosh computers, etching the legacy of the Power Macintosh 9500 into the annals of history.
In retrospect, the Power Macintosh 9500 was a symphony of technological prowess, a masterpiece that charted the course for the future of computing. As we stand on the precipice of modern innovation, let us not forget the roots that gave rise to the marvels we wield today.
Power Macintosh 9500 Details
| Introduced | June 19, 1995 (120 MHz & 132 MHz) April 22, 1996 (150 MHz) August 7, 1996 (180 MHz & 200 MHz) |
| Discontinued | July 1, 1996 (132 MHz) August 3, 1996 (150 MHz) November 1, 1996 (120 MHz) February 17, 1997 (180 MHz & 200 MHz) |
| Model Identifier | 67 |
| Model Number | M3098 |
| Order Number | M3093LL/A M4742LL/A M4423LL/A M5399LL/A M5389LL/A M5397LL/A |
| Original Price | $4,700 $4,800 $4,900 $5,300 $5,700 |
| Colors | Platinum |
| Weight | 36.8 Ibs. 16.692 KG |
| Dimensions | 16.9” H x 7.7” W x 15.75” D 42.9 cm H x 19.5 cm W x 40 cm D |
Power Mac 9500 Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | PowerPC 604 PowerPC 604e |
| Processor Speed | 120 MHz 132 MHz 150 MHz Dual 180 MHz 200 MHz |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 40 MHz 45 MHz 50 MHz |
| Cache | 16/32 KB L1 512 KB L2 |
| Coprocessor | Built-in FPU |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 1 GB 2 GB |
| Media | 1 – 1.44 MB Floppy 1 – 4x CD-ROM or 8x CD-ROM |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 16 MB 32 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 1.5 GB |
| Memory Slots | 12 – 168 pin DIMM |
| Minimum Speed | 70 ns |
| ROM | Unknown |
| Interleaving Support | Yes |
Display
| Built-in Display | None |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | ixMicro Twin Turbo |
| Graphics Memory | 2 MB (Upgradable to 4 MB) |
| Display Connection | 1 – DB-15 |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | 6 – PCI |
| 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 |
| Audio Out | 1 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 1 – Built-in speaker |
| 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 | 225 W |
| Line Voltage | 100-125 V 200-240 V |
Further Reading and References
- Power Macintosh 9500/120: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Power Macintosh 9500/132: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Power Macintosh 9500/150: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Power Macintosh 9500/180MP: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Power Macintosh 9500/200: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Power Macintosh 9500 – Wikipedia
- Power Mac 9500 – Low End Mac
- Power Macintosh 9500 Series Service Source (PDF) – Apple Repair Manuals
- Today in Apple history: New Power Mac is faster and more expandable – Cult of Mac
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Last updated: August 22, 2023