Editing Power Computing Corporation (section)

=== Initial machines ===
[[File:PowerComputing PowerCenter Pro 210.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A PowerComputing PowerCenter Pro 210 running Mac OS 7.6.1]]
The initial clones were available in desktop and [[Computer tower|tower]] configurations, and were based on the [[PowerPC]] 601 80&nbsp;[[megahertz|MHz]], 100&nbsp;MHz and 110&nbsp;MHz microprocessors. They were comparable to Apple Computer's Power Macintosh 7100 and 8100 class of computers. Pricing ranged from $1,995–2,899.

: “Power Computing's system design (except for the clock-oscillator chip that controls the CPU and bus speed, the two models' motherboards are identical) suggests a thoughtful, sophisticated approach. This sophistication derives, in part, from help from Apple, as well as from the fact that two key Apple engineers recently joined Power Computing.”<ref>Macworld (April 1995 based on prototype testing)</ref>
 
Unlike Apple at the time, Power Computing pressed for direct sales. After a customer placed an order for a semi-customized configuration, the system was delivered the next day. Following the delivery of the system, Power Computing called the customer to surmise their needs and offer technical support and customer service. In addition, Power Computing set a goal of a 3-minute response time for all inquiries.

In May 1995, shortly after the original clone announcement, Power Computing teamed up with [[Austin, Texas]] based [[Metrowerks]] to offer the Power Computing CodeStation. The CodeStation was a package consisting of the recently announced Power Series clone, rebranded and bundled with the latest PowerPC version of [[CodeWarrior]] (CW6 Gold which introduced [[Magic Cap]] support). CodeStations were sold through Metrowerks at discounted developer prices and it is unknown exactly how many units were sold.

At the end of July 1995, Power Computing announced that it had successfully ramped the volume production capability of its Power 100 system. The efficiencies provided by volume production allowed Power Computing to lower the base configuration price of a "Power 100 Starter System" to $1,699. In addition, the company instigated a comprehensive quick-ship program that allowed popular configurations to ship the same day.  Power Computing advertised models up to the "Power 120 XL", a $5,499 machine built around the PowerPC 601+ chip, a 2GB [[SCSI]] hard drive, 17 inch [[Sony]] monitor, 4X-speed [[CD-ROM]], built-in [[Ethernet]], and 32MB RAM.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://archive.org/stream/MacWorld_9512_December_1995#page/n3/mode/2up | title = MacWorld December 1995 | date = December 1995 }}</ref>

At the end of October 1995, Power Computing introduced the world's fastest Macintosh-compatible computer, the PowerWave, based on the PowerPC 604 microprocessor. Per an article in the ''[[Austin American-Statesman]]'', Power Computing said its machine would far outperform [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]-compatible machines based on Intel's [[Pentium]] processors.

At the early 1996 Macworld trade show in San Francisco, Power Computing found itself the star attraction because Apple was so preoccupied with its mounting financial woes that then-CEO [[Michael Spindler]] cancelled an appearance. PCC got another break when a computer firm that had spent $170,000 erecting an immense booth pulled out at the last moment, allowing Mr. Kahng to pick up the prime exhibiting space for $30,000.

At that Macworld, the PowerCurve — a line of mid-range, CPU-upgradeable Mac OS systems based on the PowerPC 601 and the industry-standard [[Peripheral Component Interconnect|PCI]] expansion bus — was introduced. Unique to the PowerCurve 601/120 was the native support of [[VGA]]–style monitors.