The VisionPower PowerMax Pro G3/250 is a powerful Macintosh-compatible tower clone based on the Tsunami architecture, featuring a 250 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor. It shipped with 48 MB of RAM, a 4.0 GB SCSI-II hard drive, and an 8 MB IMS Twin Turbo video card, all neatly packaged in a professional ATX-style tower case. A built-in Zip drive and full support for dual-processor upgrades made this model a solid workstation, particularly in the Asian market.
Closely mirroring the SuperMac S900Base, this model supported expansion and customization for multimedia and professional use. With official MacOS support through version 9.0, it bridged power and compatibility in the Mac clone era.
VisionPower PowerMax Pro G3/250 – Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | VisionPower PowerMax Pro G3/250 |
| Processor | PowerPC 750 (G3), 250 MHz |
| System Bus Speed | 50 MHz |
| Backside Bus Speed | 125 MHz |
| Processor Upgrade | Daughtercard (supports ASPD upgrades) |
| 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 | 48 MB |
| Maximum RAM | 1040 MB |
| Motherboard RAM | 16 MB |
| RAM Slots | 8 |
| Standard VRAM | 8 MB |
| Maximum VRAM | 8 MB |
| VRAM Type | IMS Twin Turbo Video Card |
| Hard Drive | 4.0 GB (SCSI-II) |
| Zip Drive | Built-in |
| CD-ROM | 12X |
| Floppy Drive | 1.44 MB (manual eject) |
| Modem | 33.6k (external) |
| Ethernet | 10Base-T (optional 10/100Base-T with E100 card) |
| Ports | AAUI, Serial, ADB, SCSI, Geo Port |
| Case Type | Tower |
| Form Factor | PC (Tower LX) |
| Battery Type | 3.6V Lithium |
| Supported Mac OS | 7.5.3–7.6.1, 8.0–9.0 (not officially beyond 8.1) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 15.2 x 7.2 x 15.0 inches |
| Weight | 24 lbs |
| Introduction Date | January 1, 1998 |
| Discontinued Date | August 1, 1998 |
| Original Price | $4300 (Singapore) |
| Estimated Current Price | N/A |
Expandable G3 Power in a Tower Clone
The PowerMax Pro G3/250 balanced affordability and power, offering a fully upgradeable G3 platform with Mac OS compatibility. With dual-processor expansion, six PCI slots, and interleaved RAM support, it appealed to power users who needed more flexibility than Apple’s own systems provided at the time.
Its ATX tower case made repairs and upgrades straightforward, further cementing its role as a serious alternative in the short-lived era of Macintosh cloning.
