In 1998, during the final months of Apple’s official Mac clone licensing program, Hardware Research released the 604e/250—a professional-grade rackmount system designed to deliver the performance of a Power Macintosh in industrial and studio environments. Built on the Tsunami architecture, the same platform powering Apple’s Power Macintosh 9500 series, this machine was optimized for performance, durability, and expandability.
At its core was a 250 MHz PowerPC 604e processor, a highly capable chip for its time, with options for 64 MB or 128 MB of RAM and a solid 3.1 GB SCSI hard drive. The ATI XCLAIM 3D video card provided 4 MB of VRAM, upgradeable to 8 MB. With six PCI slots and support for dual-processor configurations, the 604e/250 offered remarkable flexibility in a space-saving 19-inch rackmount chassis.
Sold at a premium price—ranging from $4550 to $5000 USD—this system was aimed squarely at media professionals, engineers, and enterprise users needing rack-integrated Mac OS performance. Compatible with Mac OS 7.5.5 to 9.0, the system was officially supported by Apple only up to version 8.1.
Today, the Hardware Research 604e/250 stands out as one of the few rackmount Mac clones ever manufactured, representing a bold blend of enterprise hardware and Mac compatibility.
Below are the complete Mac Clone Specs for the HR 604e/250.
Hardware Research 604e/250 Full Specifications Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction Date | January 1, 1998 |
| Discontinued Date | June 1, 1998 |
| Processor Type | PowerPC 604e |
| Processor Speed | 250 MHz |
| FPU (Integrated) | PowerPC 604e |
| System Bus Speed | 50 MHz |
| ROM Size | 4 MB |
| Data Path | 64-bit |
| L1 Cache | 64 KB |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB |
| RAM Type | 70 ns 168-pin DIMM |
| Standard RAM | 64 MB or 128 MB |
| Maximum RAM | 1040 MB |
| RAM Slots | 8 (supports interleaving for faster performance) |
| Standard VRAM | 4 MB (ATI XCLAIM 3D) |
| Maximum VRAM | 8 MB |
| VRAM Type | Dedicated video card |
| Hard Drive | 3.1 GB SCSI |
| Standard CD-ROM | 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 (5.25″) external |
| Battery Type | 3.6V Lithium |
| Built-in Display | None |
| Supported Mac OS | System 7.5.5, 7.6.1, 8.0–9.0 (officially up to 8.1) |
| Dimensions | 10 x 17.25 x 17.75 inches (H x W x D) |
| Weight | Approx. 52 lbs (23.6 kg) |
| Original Price | $4550 or $5000 USD |
| Current Est. Price | N/A – Rare collector’s item |
| Country of Sale | Likely U.S./EU markets |
| Architecture | Tsunami (based on Power Macintosh 9500) |
Final Thoughts
The Hardware Research 604e/250 was more than a Mac clone—it was a purpose-built machine for serious professionals. With impressive processor performance, rackmount versatility, and expansion-ready architecture, it filled a gap in the Mac ecosystem for rack-based systems.
Though Apple shut down its clone program by mid-1998, machines like the 604e/250 prove that the Mac platform could have thrived in more open and enterprise-oriented configurations. Today, this model is a rare gem among vintage hardware collectors.
