The Hardware Research 750/250 was a powerful G3-based rackmount Macintosh clone designed for high-demand professional applications. Released in 1998, it featured a 250 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor mounted on an upgradeable daughtercard, with options for dual-processor configurations. Built on Apple’s Tsunami architecture, this model was among the last of its kind before Apple terminated its Mac clone licensing program.
Targeting performance-driven environments, the Hardware Research 750/250 offered 80 MB or 144 MB of RAM, a 4.0 or 6.0 GB SCSI hard drive, and an impressive 8 MB ATI XCLAIM 3D video card. It also featured a 1 MB backside L2 cache, ensuring faster memory access and application throughput. Its rackmountable 19-inch case housed six PCI slots for expansion and was favored in studio, server, and laboratory settings.
At a retail price of $6,250 USD, it was a premium system for those who needed both Mac OS compatibility and enterprise-grade hardware flexibility.
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 (low-end) / 250 MHz (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 (interleaved support for better performance) |
| 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 Disk 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 (Apple support up 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 and collectible |
| Architecture | Tsunami (Power Macintosh 9500 based) |
Why the Hardware Research 750/250 Remains Significant
The Hardware Research 750/250 brought together high-speed PowerPC G3 processing, generous VRAM, SCSI reliability, and a rackmount chassis—making it one of the most versatile Mac clones of its time. Professionals who required more than what Apple offered in desktop configurations found a viable solution in this machine.
Its configurability and dual-CPU readiness made it a favorite among power users and institutions that relied on Mac OS but needed workstation-grade hardware. As Apple ended clone licensing that same year, the 750/250 became one of the last official Mac-compatible rackmount systems to ever exist.
