The Umax SuperMac J710/200 is a rare footnote in Mac clone history. Although officially unveiled at MacWorld Expo 1998, this 200 MHz PowerPC 604e system based on the Alchemy architecture was never commercially released. The model mirrored the C500 series design, using the same compact desktop case but was positioned in the J700 family—intended for a different class of users.
With 32 MB of RAM, a 3.0 GB IDE hard drive, and a 4 MB Matrox Mystique 2D/3D video card, the J710/200 promised an efficient desktop footprint with moderate multimedia capabilities. Umax, however, quietly pulled the plug before it hit the price lists, leaving the J710/200 as a prototype or demo-only unit.
Umax SuperMac J710/200 – Full Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Umax SuperMac J710/200 |
| Processor | PowerPC 604e, 200 MHz |
| Bus Speeds | System: 50 MHz, Lookaside: 50 MHz |
| Processor Upgrade | Daughtercard |
| Architecture | Alchemy |
| Level 1 Cache | 64 KB |
| Level 2 Cache | 512 KB |
| Data Path | 64-bit |
| RAM Type | 70 ns 168-pin DIMM |
| Standard RAM | 32 MB |
| Maximum RAM | 144 MB |
| Motherboard RAM | 16 MB |
| RAM Slots | 2 |
| Video Card | Matrox Mystique, 4 MB |
| Max VRAM | 6 MB |
| Hard Drive | 3.0 GB IDE |
| CD-ROM | 24X |
| Floppy Drive | 1.44 MB (manual eject) |
| Modem | External 36.6k |
| Ethernet | AAUI, 10/100Base-T |
| Case Type | Desktop |
| Form Factor | SuperMac C500 |
| Expansion Slots | 2 PCI (1 used by video) |
| Expansion Bays | None |
| Battery | 4.5V Alkaline |
| Built-in Display | None |
| Supported Mac OS | 7.5.3–7.6.1, 8.0–9.0 (Apple support ends at 8.1) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 4.0 x 13.75 x 16.0 inches |
| Weight | 16 lbs |
| Release Date | January 6, 1998 (announced only) |
| Discontinued | February 1, 1998 |
| Original Price | $1600 USD |
| Shipping Status | Never shipped |
A Lost Chapter in the Clone Era
The Umax SuperMac J710/200 highlights the uncertainty of the Macintosh clone era. With limited expandability and an unusually slim case for the J700 line, the J710/200 might have targeted budget-conscious or space-restricted users. Still, its quiet cancellation reflected the broader phaseout of Apple’s clone licensing under Steve Jobs’ return.
Though it never shipped, the J710/200 remains a noteworthy collectible for Mac historians and clone collectors alike—representing what could have been during a brief time of open hardware ecosystems in the Mac world.
