Macintosh Performa 6100
 | |
| Macintosh Performa 6100 | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Personal Computer |
| Released | November 1, 1994 |
| Discontinued | July 1, 1995 |
| CPU | PowerPC 601 @ 60 MHz |
| Memory | 8 MB RAM (expandable to 72 MB) |
| Storage | 250 MB SCSI HDD |
| Display | Supports 640×480 at 16-bit color |
| Sound | 16-bit stereo in and out; mono internal speaker |
| Dimensions | 3.4" H × 16.3" W × 15.6" D (85 × 415 × 399 mm) |
| Weight | 14 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 7.5 – Mac OS 9.1 |
| Predecessor | Performa 475 |
| Successor | Performa 6200CD |
| Codename | Piltdown Man |
| Model no. | M1596 |
The Macintosh Performa 6100 is the consumer-oriented version of the Power Macintosh 6100/60, released on November 1, 1994. It is the base model of the Performa 6100 series without a CD-ROM drive, differing from the Performa 6110CD only in the absence of the optical drive.
The Performa 6100 was the first PowerPC-based Performa, representing Apple's transition from the Motorola 680x0 architecture to the PowerPC platform in the consumer market.[1]
Differences from Performa 6110CD
The Performa 6100 differs from the Performa 6110CD in the following ways:
- CD-ROM: Not included
- Price: Lower entry price point
All other specifications are identical.
Architecture and Processor
The Performa 6100 uses the PowerPC 601 processor running at 60 MHz on a 30 MHz system bus. The 601 was the first generation PowerPC chip developed jointly by Apple, IBM, and Motorola (the "AIM alliance"). It features a 32-bit architecture with a 64-bit data path and integrates the FPU on-die.
Cache Configuration
- L1 Cache: 32 KB (16 KB data + 16 KB instruction)
- L2 Cache: Optional 256 KB (cache slot on logic board)
Memory and Storage
RAM Configuration
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| RAM Type | 72-pin FPM or EDO SIMMs |
| Minimum Speed | 80 ns |
| Motherboard RAM | 8 MB soldered |
| Maximum RAM | 72 MB (136 MB with third-party 64 MB SIMMs) |
| RAM Slots | 2 (matched pairs required) |
Storage Systems
- Hard Drive: 250 MB internal SCSI
- Floppy: 1.44 MB SuperDrive (manual inject)
- Interface: 50-pin internal SCSI, DB-25 external SCSI
Display and Graphics
Video output is provided through the HDI-45 connector. The system uses 640 KB of system RAM dedicated to video functions.
- Standard Resolution: 640×480 at 16-bit color
- Maximum Resolution: 832×624 at 8-bit color
- VRAM: 640 KB (borrowed from system RAM)
General Maintenance
For detailed maintenance practices, refer to the dedicated Power Macintosh 6100 General Maintenance page.
Capacitor Replacement Guide
Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines can be found on the Power Macintosh 6100 Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Troubleshooting
A comprehensive troubleshooting guide is available on the Power Macintosh 6100 Troubleshooting page.
Apple service data
Apple's own figures, from the Power Macintosh 6100/WS 6150 Service Source volume hosted on this wiki.[2]
| Item | Apple's figure |
|---|---|
| Processor | PowerPC 601 at 60 MHz (6100/60, 6150) or 66 MHz (6100/66, 6150/66), with built-in MMU and FPU and 32K of on-chip cache. The 60 MHz machines need system software 7.1.2 or later, the 66 MHz machines 7.5 or later |
| RAM | 8 MB soldered on the board; expandable to 72 MB in two SIMM sockets. SIMMs must go in as a pair of the same size and speed, 80 ns or faster, 72-pin, and must be noncomposite. The 16 MB configuration is the 8 MB soldered plus two 4 MB SIMMs |
| ROM | 4 MB, installed on a SIMM socket |
| VRAM | None. Video on the 6100/60, 6100/66, 6150 and 6150/66 is DRAM-based off the logic board; only the Power Macintosh AV card carries VRAM, 2 MB of it |
| Level 2 cache | Optional 256K on the 6100/60 and 6150; standard 256K on the 6100/66 |
| Video port | One HDI-45 DRAM-based video port for direct connection to Apple AudioVision monitors. With the included HDI-45 to DB-15 adapter it drives 12-, 13-, 14-, 15-inch portrait, 16- and 17-inch monitors. The AV card adds a DB-15 VRAM-based port good to 20- and 21-inch, plus one S-video/composite input and one output — only one monitor may be attached to the AV card at a time |
| Sound | 16-bit stereo in and out; sample rates 48, 44.1, 24 and 22.05 kHz; input/output line level 1 V peak to peak; signal-to-noise ratio 82 dB with no audible discrete tones; bandwidth 20 Hz–20 kHz (± 2 dB) at 44.1 kHz; THD+N less than 0.05% measured 20 Hz–20 kHz with a 1 V rms sine input |
| Serial | Two RS-232/RS-422 LocalTalk/GeoPort ports on mini DIN-9 connectors, backward compatible with mini DIN-8 |
| ADB | One ADB port, mini DIN-4; 500 mA maximum, three devices maximum |
| SCSI | One DB-25 port; up to six external devices, five when a CD-ROM is installed |
| Ethernet | One built-in AAUI-15 Ethernet port (printed "AUUI-15" in Apple's text) |
| Expansion | One internal slot taking either a processor-direct card or a 7-inch NuBus card with the appropriate adapter. On AV models that slot is already filled by the Power Macintosh AV card |
| Electrical | 100–240 VAC RMS single phase, automatically configured, 50–60 Hz. 132 W maximum continuous input, 201 W peak input, not including the monitor; 86 W continuous DC output |
| Case | Height 3.4 in. (85 mm), width 16.3 in. (415 mm), depth 15.6 in. (399 mm); 14.0 lb. (6.4 kg) |
| PRAM battery | Replace below 3.2 V. A lithium cell — neutralise any leakage with sodium bicarbonate, never vinegar |
There is no VRAM in a non-AV 6100, so "replace the VRAM" is not a repair step on this machine. A video fault on a plain 6100 is the logic board, the HDI-45 adapter or the monitor.[2]
On DOS Compatible models, Apple's symptom chart for a black screen at boot or errors in DOS is to remove the DOS Compatibility card and check that the jumper is in the "SX" position, over the two right-most prongs, before replacing anything.[2]
See Also
- Macintosh Performa 6110CD — Base CD-ROM model
- Macintosh Performa 6112CD — 250 MB HDD, different software bundle
References
- ↑ Macintosh Performa 6110CD, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Apple Computer, Power Macintosh 6100/WS 6150, Service Source. Hosted here as Power Macintosh 6100/ WS 6150 Service Source (File:Powermac_6100_series.pdf). Specifications, Take Apart and Additional Procedures — Battery Verification chapters.