The Marathon RackMac TS 750/250 was a rugged, rackmount Mac clone introduced in early 1998, designed for professional environments that demanded secure, space-saving computing. Built around the Tsunami architecture, this model shipped with a 250 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) upgrade card and could be configured with 32 MB to 144 MB of RAM.
Tailored for server rooms and professional video workflows, the RackMac TS featured a lockable black rack-mountable chassis and could be expanded to support dual processors, six PCI cards, and high-performance Ultra SCSI storage.
Marathon RackMac TS 750/250 – Full Technical Specifications
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | Marathon RackMac TS 750/250 |
| Architecture | Tsunami |
| Form Factor | 19″ Rackmount (4U, Marathon Rack) |
| Case Type | Lockable, Black, Rack-Mountable |
| 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; dual CPU upgradable |
| 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 |
| Standard VRAM | 4 MB |
| Maximum VRAM | 8 MB |
| Hard Drive | 2.1 GB (SCSI-II, customizable) |
| 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 Apple support up to 8.1) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 7.0 x 17.25 x 17.75 inches |
| Weight | 42 lbs |
| Original Price | $4100 – $4200 USD |
Built for the Rack: Performance Meets Security
With its rack-optimized design, the Marathon RackMac TS 750/250 provided secure, centralized performance in environments where space, airflow, and physical access control were key concerns. The lockable front panel and industry-standard 19-inch 4U height made it ideal for digital audio setups, render farms, and early server roles.
Support for dual processor upgrades and a strong PCI expansion setup further enhanced its professional appeal. Whether for AV production or early Mac-based servers, this clone was a robust, forward-looking tool.
