Apple Fully Restored & Upgraded Power Macintosh 7300/166 – Collector’s Dream - Computer - With replacement box

[ UPGRADED & REFURBISHED ]
[ ATTENTION – a 100% working "Power Macintosh 7300/166" GRAPHIC DESIGN workstation is NOT often auctioned]
A must-have for the die-hard-"Apple/Macintosh" collector!

Featuring Modern BlueSCSI Upgrade

This Power Macintosh 7300/166 represents the best of Apple’s mid-90s modular desktop design — now fully restored, upgraded, and ready for both display and use. With its clean, iconic look and improved internal hardware, this machine is a fantastic addition to any serious Apple collection.

– Fully restored & carefully cleaned — inside and out
– BlueSCSI storage upgrade — reliable, quiet, modern replacement for aging SCSI drives
– Original Apple hardware maintained wherever possible
– Tested working system (8.6 ENGLISH), ideal for classic Mac OS software, gaming, or nostalgia setups

The 7300 was known for its flexibility, expandability, and strong performance in its time — a favorite for creative professionals and power users transitioning into the multimedia era. Today, it stands as a highly collectible representation of Apple’s pre-iMac engineering.

– – SOME HISTORY & FACTS – –

// A VINTAGE GEM
The "Power Macintosh 7300/166" is a Pizza-box Macintosh from 1997. In the Mac family line it comes before the (beige) Power Macintosh G3. Though some describe the pizza-case as boring – maybe even ugly … this form is one of the best designs ever to come out of Apple, simply for the way this Mac comes apart. The design is amazing not for the way it looks on the outside (that is standard beige box for the time) but for how it comes apart on the inside. To open the machine just press the two latches on the front of the machine … and pull the case forward and lift it away.

The "Power Macintosh"-line was aiming to the "Graphic Designers"and it was part of several design studios in the Nenities. Applications as Photoshop, Illustrator and pagemaker were running smoothly on this power machine.

Nowadays the "Power Macintosh 7300/166" is an excellent choice for vintage Mac-fans who want to dip their toe into System 8.6 and its applications.

// The "AIM ALLIANCE"
The "Power Macintosh 7300/166" had a 166 MHz PowerPC 604e processor. The power pc chip was the result of Apple's alliance with IBM and Motorola. It was called the "AIM ALLIANCE" (Apple IBM Motorola).

The PowerPC helped Apple surpass the Pentium and PowerPC would at least keep pace with Intel for years to come.

// OPENING THE 7300 CASE
Opening the 7300 is a straightforward but "delicate" procedure, achieved without any screws. There are two latches made out of plastic.

Note: doing the brittle (old) plastic it's important to be extremely careful! The latches brake easily.
Once released, the entire top comes off.

As with vintage computer plastic – today after almost 30 years – all plastic is brittle … so don't tear the Mac apart unless it's really nessecary. Chances are high you break some plastic pieces off

// IMPORTANT – WHY BUY FROM ME?
(instead of other sellers)

I am a Mac user from way back in the Legacy Era. I offer Vintage Apple computers as I would buy them myself. My admiration for Steve Jobs' legacy is so great that I want the Macs I sell, to stand "the test of time". Furthermore I only sell items I have "passion" for.

Hardware-wise, all my sold computers are completely disassembled, cleaned – and, if necessary, repaired – in order to extend their lifespan. See pictures.

// ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST, REVISION & RECAPPING

The computer was professionally restored to a great condition. It was completely disassembled to individual parts. All parts, including screws were cleaned and restored using appropriate methods.

– DUST: the inside of a 30-year-old computer looks the same as "the collection-container of a vacuum cleaner" (read: a dust bunny). And as you know "dust" can ruin your electronics;

– BOARD REVISION: both boards (analog logic) were revised;

– REFURBISHED PSU (Power Supply Unit): the PSU is recapped too;

– FLOPPY: The floppy drive is refurbished. This includes "floppy drive lubrication". Therefore the "internal floppy drive" works like a charm (formatting, reading and writing disks).*

– CD-ROM: the CD drive was serviced and all necessary parts were replaced. FYI: because of it's age … the CD-ROM makes a noisy sounds when opening/closing the tray. Besides of that it's 100% working (I use it to perform all installations).

– BLUESCSI HARD DISK: the mechanical (failed) hard-disk is replaced by an internal BLUE-SCSI SD hard-disk. Note: at some point all mechanical hdd's fail! So BLUE-SCSI is the best solution! A "clean install" is performed. System 8.6 (English) is installed. All configuration is done. So the mac boots up immediately.

Installed apps:
Adobe Photoshop 4 – Illustrator 7 – Pagemaker 5.5 – Acrobat 3
MicroSoft Word 1998.

Long-Story Short. Computers from other vendors may look the same on the outside. I can guarantee you that the inside is very different! So if you want to enjoy your investment for as long as possible, choosing "wisely" is advisable.

// ONLY THE MAC IS AUCTIONED
Read this paragraph carefully!

Only the (ready-to-use) "Power Macintosh 7300/166" is auctioned. The monitor, keyboard & mouse on the pictures are there for display purpose only (to show that this Mac is working!). They are NOT included in this offer.

– An attached monitor/display must connect using a "DB15 connector" (VGA d-subs). E.g. Mac Color Display [model M1212].

– Keyboard & mouse use a ADB connection (Apple Desktop Bus)

Note: optionally I can provide the necessary accessories.

This 100 % working, professionally checked “Vintage” bundle includes “working software*”. See detailled pictures.

Disclaimer:
The computer only includes software & games that is classified as "abandonware" ( from the Public Domain, distributed over the internet and available freely, easily and readily). The software is supplied "free of charge" as a free service (for the retro-computing fan).

// TO SUM UP
The "Power Macintosh 7300/166" marks a crucial phase in Apple's computer line. And that makes this Apple Computer extremely RARE and EXCEPTIONAL … and therefore a good investment. In addition, the"Power Macintosh 7300/166" that are typically sold have several cracks. This specimen has no single crack in the plastic ( rare!).

– Model Number: M3979 (assembled in Ireland);
– SD HD 2 TB;
– Serial Number: CK71006B7V1;
– Total RAM Memory: 208 MB (default back than was only 16 MB);
– System Software 8.6 (English version)

// IMPORTANT – A NOTE ON YELLOWED PLASTICS!
Some words on the yellowing.

Old computer cases are made of ABS plastics which contain at that time "bromine". The element bromine reacts over the time of years with UV light and causes some (not-always-even) "yellowing"*. Some sellers "Retr0bright" their computers with chemicals. I am totally agains "Retr0brighting", because it causes structural changes in the plastic, it's not permanent – and it devalues historical items! So pay attention when buying retro-computers (alarm bells should ring when the case is to "gray").

Bytheway: the yellowed plastic is not easy to capture on the photos (but it's there … believe me!). Because of the structure of the used plastic and UV-reaction-over-time … "all items and parts" (computer, keyboard, mouse and power cable) are "yellowed" differently (again: not evenly). Please, if you find a little “yellowing" a problem, it is recommended that you do NOT bid on this item.

FYI. Experienced Apple/Macintosh collectors love the "aging-bromine-yellowing". You can compare it with "patina" on vintage furnitures. For connoisseurs it transforms the-surface-of-a-piece from the ordinary to the exceptional – and it tells a story … and brings on the appeal of objects that show their age openly. But again … it is important to know that vintage Macs have PATINA.

Please check all close-up pictures!

// RETRO-COMPUTING EXPECTATIONS

– there are "normal signs of use" (which are to be expected with a device of this age). But as an experienced connoisseur I can guarantee that these items are in very good condition! View the numerous images to make your own judgment! PS/ some tiny scratches, stains, … (and other ware-out) are difficult to capture on picture (but they are there … thus: please have realistic expectations!).

Note:
– 35 years old plastic is fragile (and a bit bendy).
– Because of the aging of the plastic the case doesn't closes "perfect" anymore.

– be aware that the mechanical parts of 35 years ago make (a lot) more noice (compared to modern computers)! Don't bid on this mac if you think that the aformentioned things will bother you. Please also have realistic expectations about "speed, etc"!

– regarding performance … This is a vintage computer (collectable) – not a modern computer.

// PACKAGING
The "Power Macintosh 7300/166" is packaged securely and carefully for safe shipment.
Moreover, the bundle is shipped INSURED because of its precious value.
Because of the precious content extra attention is paid to the CUSTOM packaging.
This extra cost is included in the shipping price.

"One More Thing"
– Steve Jobs quote

Don't miss this unique opportunity.
Great opportunities don't come everyday!

Let the bidding begin … for this legendary "Power Macintosh 7300/166" GRAPHIC DESIGN workstation.

"One More Thing"
When in doubt, check my positive customer reviews ;)
(… because there are some "copycats" out there who copy my style/text and pretend to be me). There is only one "VISENTO"! That's me ;)