Power Macintosh 8500

Essentials

Family: PowerMac

Codename: Nitro

Gestalt ID: 69

Minimum OS: 7.5.2

Maximum OS: 9.1

Introduced: May 1995

Terminated: Early 1997

Processor

CPU: PowerPC 604

CPU Speed: 120/132/150/180 MHz

FPU: integrated

Bus Speed: 40/45/50/45 MHz

Data Bus Width: 64-bit

Address Bus Width: 43-bit

Level 1 Cache: 16 kB data, 16 kB instruction

Level 2 Cache: 256 kB DIMM

ROM: 4 MB

RAM Type: 168 pin DIMM

Minimum RAM Speed: 70 ns

Onboard RAM: 0 MB

RAM slots: 8

Maximum RAM: 1024 MB

Expansion Slots: 3 PCI

Video

VRAM: 2 MB (4 MB via 2 DIMM sockets)

Max Resolution: all resolutions supported

Video Out: DB-15, S-video

Video In: S-video

Storage

Hard Drive: 1.0-2.0 GB

Floppy Drive: 1.4 MB SuperDrive

Optical Drive: 4x CD-ROM

Input/Output

ADB: 1

Serial: 2 Mini DIN-8

SCSI: DB-25

Audio Out: stereo 16 bit mini, RCA

Audio In: stereo 16 bit mini, RCA

Speaker: mono

Networking

Ethernet: AAUI-15, 10Base-T

Miscellaneous

Power: 225 Watts

Dimensions: 14.9" H x 7.7" W x 15.75" D

Weight: 25 lbs.

Notes

The Minimum System Software for the 132, 150 and 180 MHz models was 7.5.3. The 180 MHz model had an 8x CD-ROM, and used a PowerPC 604e processor, which had 32 kB data and instruction caches.

Introduced in August 1995, The 8500 brought 604 power and the PCI architecture to the mid-range, also boasting impressive AV features. The 8500 included a 120 MHz 604 processor and 24-bit composite and S-video input and output. The processor of the 8500 shipped on a removable daughtercard. The 8500 came in a mini-tower case, sold for $4000, and was "speed bumped" to 132 and 150 MHz in April 1996. It was speed bumped again to a 180 MHz 604e processor in August, and was replaced in early 1997 by the 8600.

Picture Credits:
John Greenleigh/Flipside Studios