The VisionPower PowerExtreme 200 was a unique Macintosh clone based on the Tanzania logic board, jointly developed by Apple and Motorola. Equipped with a 200 MHz PowerPC 604e processor, 48 MB of RAM, and a 4.3 GB IDE hard drive, this clone offered a compelling mix of Mac OS compatibility and PC-style hardware, including PS/2 keyboard ports and a SVGA display connector—features rarely seen on Macintosh systems.
Marketed primarily across Asia, the PowerExtreme 200 was sold without any verified public documentation, making it one of the more mysterious Mac clones from the late 1990s. The presence of IDE hard drives, VRAM sockets, and baby AT form factor aligned it with PC conventions while maintaining support for Mac OS up to 9.0.
VisionPower PowerExtreme 200 – Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | VisionPower PowerExtreme 200 |
| Processor | PowerPC 604e, 200 MHz |
| System Bus Speed | 40 MHz |
| Lookaside Bus Speed | 40 MHz |
| Processor Upgrade | Third-party |
| ROM Size | 4 MB |
| Data Path | 64-bit |
| Level 1 Cache | 32 KB |
| Level 2 Cache | 512 KB |
| RAM Type | 60 ns 168-pin DIMM |
| Standard RAM | 48 MB |
| Maximum RAM | 160 MB (1×32 MB + 2×64 MB) |
| RAM Slots | 3 (1 solo + 2 grouped) |
| Video Memory | 2 MB standard, expandable to 4 MB |
| VRAM Type | 1 MB VRAM DIMMs |
| Graphics Connector | SVGA port |
| Hard Drive | 4.3 GB (IDE) |
| CD-ROM | 8X IDE-ATAPI |
| Floppy Drive | 1.44 MB soft-eject |
| Expansion Slots | 3 PCI |
| Expansion Bays | 1 (5.25″), 2 (3.5″) – 1 of each external |
| Ports | ADB, Serial, Parallel, PS/2 Keyboard, 10Base-T Ethernet |
| Modem | None |
| Battery | 4.5V Alkaline |
| Case Type | Desktop (PC-style) |
| Form Factor | Baby AT |
| Supported Mac OS | 7.5.3, 7.6.1, 8.0–9.0 (not officially past 8.1) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 4.2 x 16.3 x 16.4 inches |
| Weight | 20 lbs |
| Introduction Date | January 1, 1998 |
| Discontinued | August 1, 1998 |
| Original Price | $3300 SGD (with 15” monitor + speakers) |
| Est. Current Price | N/A |
A Hybrid System for Asian Markets
The VisionPower PowerExtreme 200 distinguished itself by blending Mac software compatibility with PC-centric hardware. Its Tanzania motherboard enabled rare additions like PS/2 support and SVGA video out, making it attractive to users in Asia who preferred cost-effective, PC-compatible hardware design.
Despite its promising specs, the system is now considered obscure due to a lack of official online support or documentation. For collectors and Mac clone historians, the PowerExtreme 200 remains a fascinating example of cross-platform experimentation in the final days of Mac clone licensing.
