The Hardware Research 750/233 was one of the final rackmount Mac clones produced before Apple shut down its licensing program. Released in mid-1998, it stood out with a 233 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor, a backside L2 cache, and a rare 8 MB ATI XCLAIM 3D graphics card—offering impressive graphical performance in professional environments.
Engineered on the proven Tsunami architecture, the Hardware Research 750/233 was housed in a 19-inch rackmount chassis designed for broadcast, lab, and server integration. It shipped with 80 MB of RAM, a 3.1 GB SCSI drive, and provided support for dual-processor upgrades. With six PCI slots, this Mac OS-compatible system was built for expandability.
Though only officially supported up to Mac OS 8.1, it could also run Mac OS 9.0. Priced at $3,850 USD, it was a more affordable alternative to other dual-CPU rackmount models, without sacrificing performance or flexibility.
Hardware Research 750/233 – Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction Date | June 1, 1998 |
| Discontinued Date | December 31, 1998 |
| Processor Type | PowerPC 750 (G3) |
| Processor Speed | 233 MHz |
| FPU (Integrated) | PowerPC 750 (G3) |
| System Bus Speed | 46.6 MHz |
| Backside Bus Speed | 116.5 MHz |
| ROM Size | 4 MB |
| Data Path | 64-bit |
| Level 1 Cache | 64 KB |
| Level 2 Cache | 512 KB (backside) |
| RAM Type | 70 ns 168-pin DIMM |
| Standard RAM | 80 MB |
| Maximum RAM | 1040 MB |
| RAM Slots | 8 (interleaved for faster performance) |
| Standard VRAM | 8 MB (ATI XCLAIM 3D) |
| Maximum VRAM | 8 MB |
| VRAM Type | Video card |
| Hard Drive | 3.1 GB SCSI |
| Standard CD-ROM | 12X |
| Floppy Drive | 1.44 MB (manual eject) |
| Modem | Not included |
| 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 | 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 | $3,850 USD |
| Est. Current Value | N/A – Rare collector’s item |
| Architecture | Tsunami (based on Power Macintosh 9500) |
Why the Hardware Research 750/233 Was Unique
The Hardware Research 750/233 offered G3 performance with full rackmount flexibility, combining speed, SCSI storage, and professional-grade video output. Its 8 MB VRAM was well ahead of many contemporaries, making it ideal for visual and scientific tasks requiring accelerated graphics.
Although it arrived just months before Apple canceled all clone agreements, the 750/233 remains a remarkable example of what was possible during the golden moment of Mac cloning. Few machines from that era could match its blend of power, compactness, and affordability.
