 The Performa
6200 series was released in July 1995, and sold for anywhere
between $2000 to $3000 depending on specific model and configuration
(and beleive me, there were many). Seven different models were
introduced with the Performa 62xx name, most almost identical
to each other. The 6200 series was intended to be low-cost home
computers that were slightly suped up to handle multimedia. Apple
even created an infomercial about them called "The Martinetis
Get a Computer", which was some of Apple's classic good
advertising. I bought a Performa 6200CD myself, and used it to
create this entire site (before I recently got my new G3). This
series has a large family of almost identical models, differing
by only very minimal configurations. Basically, Apple recycled
the education based PowerMac 5200 LC, and put it in the small
modular Quadra 630 casing. They all have a PowerPC 603 running
at 75 MHz, a 1 GB IDE HD, 8 or 16 MB RAM, a 15" Apple MultiScan
Display, and an internal AppleCD 600i 4x CD-ROM drive. Apple
also decreased the price of the computer by replacing or sometimes
even leaving out features of other PowerPC-based computers. The
Performa 6200 series has the cheaper IDE hard drive, one PDS
slot, one comm slot taken by internal GV Teleport faxmodem, and
1MB of VRAM. The specs aren't bad, except for a few drawbacks.
The processor was relatively slow (actually, it is the slowest
PowerPC-based Mac ever) and most models were plagued with a bad
ROM chip that needed to be replaced. Also, many of the bundled
15" MultiScan monitors became defective overtime (mine has
both problems). Luckily, Apple offers users of defective Power
Mac 5xxx/6xxx models an extended repair program for a period
of years. Some have even gotten free monitor replacements. |
Specifications:
Processor: PowerPC 603 running at 75 MHz
Memory:
8 to 16 MB of RAM expandable to 64MB using 80ns 72-pin SIMM chips,
and 1 MB VRAM.
Drives:
a 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy drive, 1GB IDE HD, and an internal
AppleCD 600i 4x CD-ROM drive.
Expansion:
1 PDS slot, 1 Comm slot, 1 Video-In slot, and bay for Apple TV/Video
System. Included microphone, GV Teleport internal modem.
Ports:
an ADB port, 1 SCSI port, a modem and printer port, and microphone
and speaker ports.
Display:
bundled 15" Apple MultiScan Display could display either
16-bit color at 640x480 or 8-bit color at 832x624.
Operating Systems:
Mac OS: 7.51, 7.53, Allegro and Sonata.
Rhapsody:
Yellow Box for Mac OS.
Windows:
3.1-95 with Apple's DOS Compatibility card installed or NT via
emulation.
OpenStep:
all versions (commonly 4.2) via emulation or Apple's DOS Compatiblity
card.
ProDOS:
ProDOS 8 via emulation or IIe PDS card.
GS/OS:
System 6.01 via emulation.
Models in this Series:
6200:
Basic system, included internal GV Teleport 14.4 Faxmodem, and
8 MB RAM for $2300.
6205:
Included 28.8 GV Teleport modem instead of 14.4.
6216:
Includes Expresso, a personal information manager (PIM), later
included on all models.
6218:
Included 16MB RAM instead of 8, but had 14.4 modem.
6220:
Included Apple Video System with TV/VI Connector and 16 MB of
RAM, $2999 with Apple StyleWriter 2500.
6230:
Included MPEG Playback and 16 MB for $2799.
6260:
identical to the 6290, but sold overseas.
6290:
processor upgraded to 100MHz PPC 603e, HD increased to 1.2 GB,
monitor decreased to 14" Apple MultiScan.
Interesting Facts:
The 6200 series indeed has two serial ports, but as I learned
the hard way, one (the modem port) was originally covered by a
plastic seal. Apple seemed to think that since the 6200s included
an internal modem that nobody would need this port so they sealed
it. The problem is, if you wanted to install a new external modem,
you couldn't. Even if you took the cap off, the modem port was
dead. It turns out that if you have a modem installed in the Comm
port, the modem port is disabled. The modem port is only enabled
again once you uninstall the internal modem that came with your
computer!
Resources and Related Links:
Creative Computer's MacMall
catalog.
Performa 6200 entry at EveryMac.
David Pogue's and Joseph Schorr's Macworld
Mac SECRETS.
Picture from A History
of Apple Computers.
The Performa
6200 series was released in July 1995, and sold for anywhere
between $2000 to $3000 depending on specific model and configuration
(and beleive me, there were many). Seven different models were
introduced with the Performa 62xx name, most almost identical
to each other. The 6200 series was intended to be low-cost home
computers that were slightly suped up to handle multimedia. Apple
even created an infomercial about them called "The Martinetis
Get a Computer", which was some of Apple's classic good
advertising. I bought a Performa 6200CD myself, and used it to
create this entire site (before I recently got my new G3). This
series has a large family of almost identical models, differing
by only very minimal configurations. Basically, Apple recycled
the education based PowerMac 5200 LC, and put it in the small
modular Quadra 630 casing. They all have a PowerPC 603 running
at 75 MHz, a 1 GB IDE HD, 8 or 16 MB RAM, a 15" Apple MultiScan
Display, and an internal AppleCD 600i 4x CD-ROM drive. Apple
also decreased the price of the computer by replacing or sometimes
even leaving out features of other PowerPC-based computers. The
Performa 6200 series has the cheaper IDE hard drive, one PDS
slot, one comm slot taken by internal GV Teleport faxmodem, and
1MB of VRAM. The specs aren't bad, except for a few drawbacks.
The processor was relatively slow (actually, it is the slowest
PowerPC-based Mac ever) and most models were plagued with a bad
ROM chip that needed to be replaced. Also, many of the bundled
15" MultiScan monitors became defective overtime (mine has
both problems). Luckily, Apple offers users of defective Power
Mac 5xxx/6xxx models an extended repair program for a period
of years. Some have even gotten free monitor replacements.