Power Macintosh 8100

Power Macintosh 8100 / Power Macintosh 8115 / Workgroup Server 8150
A Power Macintosh 8100/80AV
Also known as"Cold Fusion", "Flagship"
DeveloperApple Computer
Product familyPower Macintosh, Workgroup Server
Release dateMarch 14, 1994 (1994-03-14)
Introductory priceUS$4,200 (equivalent to $8,634 in 2023)
DiscontinuedAugust 5, 1995 (1995-08-05)
Operating systemSystem 7.1.29.1 (except 7.5.2)
CPUPowerPC 601, 80–100 MHz
PowerPC 601v, 110 MHz
Memory8 MB, expandable to 264 MB (80 ns 72-pin SIMM)
PredecessorMacintosh Quadra 650
Macintosh Quadra 800
Macintosh Quadra 840AV
SuccessorPower Macintosh 8500
RelatedPower Macintosh 6100
Power Macintosh 7100

The Power Macintosh 8100 (also sold in Japan as the Power Macintosh 8115 and with bundled server software as the Workgroup Server 8150) is a personal computer that is a part of Apple Computer's Power Macintosh series of Macintosh computers. It was introduced in March 1994 alongside the Power Macintosh 6100 and the 7100 as the high end model of the first generation of the Power Macintosh family, and is a direct replacement of the prior Macintosh Quadra 800. It retains the Quadra 800's enclosure.

The 8100 originally featured a PowerPC 601 at 80 MHz, and was speed-bumped to 100 MHz in January 1995. The main variant of the 8100 are the 8100AV models, which came with an analog video in/out card in its Processor Direct Slot. A faster 110 MHz model was released in November 1994 without an AV variant.

The case has received criticism for being difficult to work with. Dan Knight, writing for Low End Mac, noted that "except for replacing the CPU card in the 8500, changing anything on the motherboard required completely removing it. That included removing the reset button, removing a screw, disconnecting several cables, then sliding the motherboard assembly forward about an inch, then pulling it away from its mounts."[1]

In August 1995, the 8100 was discontinued, with the Power Macintosh 8500 taking its place.

  1. ^ Knight, Daniel (November 8, 1999). "Second Class Macs & Road Apples - Quadra 800/840av and Power Mac 8100 Case". Low End Mac.