Power Computing PowerTower

The PowerTower came in a tower configuration with speed ranging from 166-200 MHz using the PPC 604 or 604e processor. The CPU was on a daughter card for ease of upgrade.

Power Computing logo

Thanks to Steve Kahng’s connections to IBM from his days with Leading Edge, Power Computing was able to acquire higher-speed PowerPC CPUs before other companies, and the PowerTower was the fastest Mac or Mac clone when it shipped at 180 MHz in April 1996.

Variants

  • PowerTower 166. 166 MHz 604 processor
  • PowerTower 180. 180 MHz 604 processor
  • PowerTower 180. 180 MHz 604e processor
  • PowerTower 200. 200 MHz 604e processor

Details

  • introduced: 1996.04.29
  • Gestalt ID: 108

Mac OS

  • requires System 7.5.3 through 9.1

Core System

  • CPU: 166-200 PPC 604
  • L2 cache: 1 MB
  • bus: 50-60 MHz
  • RAM: 8 MB, expandable to 256 MB using 168-pin 60ns or faster FMP DIMMs in 4 DIMM slots

Video

  • Graphics: 1, 2, or 4 MB VRAM, supports 12×384 to 1280 x 1024

Drives

  • hard drive: 2GB or larger SCSI
  • CD-ROM: 4x to 16x SCSI drive

Expansion

  • ADB: 1 port for keyboard and mouse
  • two miniDIN-8 GeoPorts on back of computer
  • SCSI: DB-25 connector on back of computer
  • ethernet: AAUI and 10Base-T connectors on back of computer
  • PCI slots: 3

Physical

  • power: 200W
  • size (HxWxD): 15.0″x7.0″x16.0″
  • weight: 22.0 lb
  • PRAM battery: 3.6V half-AA

Accelerators & Upgrades

Online Resources

Keywords: #powercomputing #powertower

Short link: http://goo.gl/QplL8S