The Marathon RackMac TS 750/250 is a specialized rack-mountable G3 Mac clone, introduced in February 1998 by Marathon Computer. Built on the Tsunami architecture, this server-grade system came equipped with a 250 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor upgrade card, up to 144 MB of RAM, a 2.1 GB SCSI-II drive, and a 4 MB IX-Micro Twin Turbo video card.
Uniquely engineered for server rooms and secure environments, the RackMac TS featured a lockable black metal front panel and a 4U 19″ rack form factor, making it ideal for professional network environments, audio/video production suites, or universities needing scalable Mac OS support in a rack.
Marathon RackMac TS 750/250 – Full Technical Specifications
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | Marathon RackMac TS 750/250 |
| Architecture | Tsunami |
| Form Factor | Marathon Rack (4U 19″) |
| Processor Type | PowerPC 750 (G3) |
| Processor Speed | 250 MHz |
| Backside Bus Speed | 125 MHz |
| System Bus Speed | 50 MHz |
| FPU | Integrated (PowerPC 750) |
| Processor Upgrade | Daughtercard, supports dual CPUs |
| Level 1 Cache | 64 KB |
| Level 2 Cache | 512 KB (backside) |
| Data Path | 64-bit |
| ROM Size | 4 MB |
| RAM Type | 70 ns 168-pin DIMM |
| Standard RAM | 32, 64, 80, or 144 MB |
| Maximum RAM | 1040 MB |
| Motherboard RAM | 16 MB |
| RAM Slots | 8 |
| Video Card | IX-Micro Twin Turbo with 4 MB VRAM |
| Maximum VRAM | 8 MB |
| Hard Drive | 2.1 GB SCSI-II |
| CD-ROM | 8X |
| Floppy Drive | 1.44 MB (manual eject) |
| Modem | Not included |
| Ethernet | AAUI, 10Base-T |
| Expansion Slots | 6 PCI |
| Expansion Bays | 1 (5.25″ external), 2 (3.5″ internal) |
| Battery Type | 3.6V Lithium |
| Built-in Display | None |
| Supported Mac OS | 7.5.3–7.6.1, 8.0–9.0 (Official support only up to 8.1) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 7.0 x 17.25 x 17.75 inches |
| Weight | 42 lbs |
| Original Price | $4100–$4200 USD |
Secure, Scalable, and Rack-Ready
The Marathon RackMac TS 750/250 was purpose-built for enterprises, IT departments, and media professionals who needed Mac OS functionality in a secure rack-mounted form. Its expandability via PCI slots, RAM up to 1 GB, and optional dual processor support made it a competitive solution in the 1998 Mac clone market. The unit’s physical security features and compact profile gave it a strong presence in server farms and institutional settings.
