The Hardware Research 750/250 was a high-end Mac OS-compatible rackmount system released in early 1998. Built for power users and enterprise environments, it packed a 250 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor with dual-CPU upgrade capability, making it a rare and powerful workstation for studios, labs, and network server racks.
Based on the proven Tsunami architecture, the Hardware Research 750/250 included either 80 MB or 144 MB of RAM, a 4.0 or 6.0 GB Ultra SCSI hard drive, and a professional-grade 8 MB ATI XCLAIM 3D video card. Its performance was boosted by a 1 MB backside cache and a 125 MHz backside bus (with some variants supporting 250 MHz).
Officially supporting Mac OS 7.5.5 to 8.1, and unofficially compatible with Mac OS 9.0, this machine was priced at $6,250 USD, offering serious value to professionals requiring advanced graphics, memory, and processor configurations in a compact 19″ rackmount form factor.
Hardware Research 750/250 – Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction Date | January 1, 1998 |
| Discontinued Date | December 31, 1998 |
| Processor Type | PowerPC 750 (G3) |
| Processor Speed | 250 MHz |
| FPU (Integrated) | PowerPC 750 (G3) |
| System Bus Speed | 50 MHz |
| Backside Bus Speed | 125 MHz (250 MHz on high-end variant) |
| ROM Size | 4 MB |
| Data Path | 64-bit |
| Level 1 Cache | 64 KB |
| Level 2 Cache | 1 MB (backside) |
| RAM Type | 70 ns 168-pin DIMM |
| Standard RAM | 80 MB or 144 MB |
| Maximum RAM | 1040 MB |
| RAM Slots | 8 (interleaving supported) |
| Standard VRAM | 8 MB (ATI XCLAIM 3D) |
| Maximum VRAM | 8 MB |
| VRAM Type | Video card |
| Hard Drive | 4.0 GB or 6.0 GB SCSI |
| Standard CD-ROM | 12X or 24X |
| Floppy Drive | 1.44 MB (manual eject) |
| Modem | N/A |
| Ethernet | AAUI, 10Base-T |
| Case Type | Rack-Mountable |
| Form Factor | 19″ Rackmount |
| Expansion Slots | 6 PCI |
| Expansion Bays (Free) | 1 external 5.25″ bay |
| Battery Type | 3.6V Lithium |
| Built-in Display | None |
| Supported Mac OS | System 7.5.5 to 9.0 (officially supported to 8.1) |
| Dimensions | 10 x 17.25 x 17.75 inches (H x W x D) |
| Average Weight | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) |
| Original Price | $6,250 USD |
| Estimated Current Value | N/A – Rare Collector’s Unit |
| Architecture | Tsunami (used in Power Macintosh 9500) |
Why the Hardware Research 750/250 Was a Powerhouse
The Hardware Research 750/250 offered the perfect balance between power and flexibility. With G3 performance, a 1 MB backside cache, and dual-processor expandability, it could handle intensive workloads—whether in rendering, scientific computing, or multimedia processing.
Its combination of high-speed Ultra SCSI storage, PCI expandability, and rackmount design made it a favorite among Mac clone enthusiasts and power users during its brief release window. Today, it remains a symbol of what Apple-compatible hardware could have become had the clone program continued.
