Storage · The Beige Era · 1993
Apple PowerCD
PowerCD was peak 1990s multimedia: a portable CD-ROM drive for Macs that could also play audio CDs on its own.
Portable SCSI CD-ROM drive that doubled as an audio CD player.
Xserve RAID (2003)
Apple PowerCD: key facts
When was the Apple PowerCD released?
The Apple PowerCD arrived in 1993. Apple discontinued it in 1996.
How much did the Apple PowerCD cost?
The Apple PowerCD launched at $499 in 1993, about $1,088 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: 650 MB storage, SCSI, audio out.
Why does the Apple PowerCD matter?
Portable SCSI CD-ROM drive that doubled as an audio CD player.
Full specifications
| CPU | — |
|---|---|
| Cores | — |
| Memory (RAM) | — |
| Storage | 650 MB |
| Display | — |
| GPU | — |
| Ports | SCSI, audio out |
| Weight | Varies by model |
| Dimensions | Portable CD-ROM / audio CD player |
| Operating system | Driver/firmware support |
| Released | 1993 |
| Discontinued | 1996 |
| Launch price | $499 |
How the Apple PowerCD compares to today
All of this storage holds about 163 modern phone photos.
Launched at $499 in 1993, about $1,088 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Related Storage models
Open the Apple PowerCD in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11