Power Macintosh 8600

Essentials

Family: PowerMac

Codename: Kansas

Gestalt ID: 69

Minimum OS: 7.5.5

Maximum OS: 9.1

Introduced: February 1997

Terminated: Early 1998

Processor

CPU: PowerPC 604e

CPU Speed: 200/250/300 MHz

FPU: integrated

Bus Speed: 50 MHz

Data Bus Width: 64-bit

Address Bus Width: 32-bit

Level 1 Cache: 32 kB data, 32 kB instruction

Level 2 Cache: 512 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

Storage

Hard Drive: 2.0 GB

Floppy Drive: 1.4 MB SuperDrive

Zip Drive: optional 100 MB

Optical Drive: 12x CD-ROM

Input/Output

ADB: 1

Serial: 2 Mini DIN-8

SCSI: DB-25

Audio Out: stereo 16 bit mini

Audio In: stereo 16 bit mini

Speaker: mono

Networking

Ethernet: AAUI-15, 10Base-T

Miscellaneous

Power: 390 Watts

Dimensions: 14.91" H x 9.7" W x 17.3" D

Weight: 35 lbs.

Notes

The Minimum System Software for the 250 and 300 MHz models was 7.6.1. They each shipped with a 24x CD-ROM, used a "Mach 5" 604e processor with a 1 MB inline level 2 cache and required 60 ns or faster RAM.

Although announced in February 1997, It was not until June that the 8600 actually shipped in bulk. It came in the same innovative case design as the 9600, and ran on a 200 MHz 604e. It included an internal Zip drive (a Power Mac first). It also included video input and output. The 8600 used the Nitro motherboard, as did its predecessor, the 8500. The 8600 initialy sold for $2,700. In August, Apple announced "speed bumped" versions of the 8600 with a 250 or 300 MHz "Mach 5" 604e. Like its predecessor, the 8600/300 did not ship for several months after it was announced due to supply problems. The 8600 was discontinued in early 1998.

Picture Credits:
Apple, Inc.

Date: Sun, 16 Nov 1997 20:11:42 -0800
From: Dave Martin
Subject: Power Macintosh 8600

One correction to the Power Macintosh 8600 page, at least as concerns the
8600/300. The delay in shipping the 8600/300 was not "months", as was
certainly the case with the 8600/200's. The 200's had production problems
not related with supply, where the delay on the 300's was due to a minor
supply problem.

In fact, Apple announced mid-August (the week after MacWorld) immediate
availability on a variation of the 8600/300, without Zip drive, to cover
the demand until the originally spec'd product was shipping. I received
mine the last week of August. (I believe a 9600/300 & 9600/350 sans Zip
were also announced, though I don't know if the Zip-less 350 ever
shipped).

It was only a couple of weeks later, in the September 10 price list, that
all the Zip-less models were removed. The Zip internal mounting brackets
that delayed release had arrived, and the original 8600/300 and 9600/300
with Zips were able to ship. The 9600/350 (including Zip version) was
removed at that time as well, I believe.