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Mac-to-midrange was a 1995 term for the software and networking that let Macintosh computers connect to business host systems—especially IBM AS/400 and Hewlett-Packard 9000 systems. It described host access, not a Mac hardware tier or a current Mac product family.
What did Mac-to-midrange mean?
The phrase appears as a section heading, “MAC-TO-MIDRANGE / New AS/400, HP 9000 Connections,” in the March 1995 issue of MacUser. In that context, it meant linking Macs to enterprise midrange computers so users could reach host applications and data, work with terminals and printers, and transfer files. MacUser, March 1995
These systems were not Macs: the Macintosh was the client computer, while the AS/400 or HP 9000 acted as the host. The products used different networking and host-access methods, so “Mac-to-midrange” was a broad category rather than one protocol or a single product.
What could the software do?
- Terminal or display access: show host screens on a Mac, including 5250 display emulation for AS/400 systems.
- Printing: route host output to printers available on a Macintosh network.
- File transfer: move files between a Mac and host system, using methods that varied by product.
Examples from the 1995 MacUser roundup
The roundup covered several products, with distinct host targets and connection methods. Its prices are included below only as historical figures reported in March 1995—not as current prices or evidence of present availability.
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| Product | Host and connection approach | Functions described | Price reported in March 1995 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Data SNA*ps 5250 | AS/400 connected with AppleTalk Direct and host software | 5250 display access and AS/400 printing | $345 listed price |
| Wall Data SNA*ps Folder 400 | AS/400; Macintosh file transfer using IBM’s APPC file-transfer standard | File transfer | About $1,000 anticipated price |
| Andrew A/TAxcess | AS/400 over AppleTalk | 5250 terminal and printer emulation; two-way file transfer | $200 listed price |
| Andrew TCP/Axcess for Macintosh Release 3 | AS/400 over TCP/IP | Printed AS/400 documents on AppleTalk printers | $200 listed price |
| WRQ Reflection 1 Plus version 4.1 | HP 9000-series systems; connection method not stated in the roundup | Multiple HP sessions, faster file transfer, and graphical keyboard mapping | $329 listed price; the article said the version 4.1 upgrade was free to current users |
The product descriptions and period prices come from the March 1995 MacUser issue, printed page 117 (PDF page 75). They document what the roundup described at the time, not present-day support, compatibility, or availability.
Was Mac-to-midrange a current Mac feature?
No. The phrase belongs to a historical computing context and does not identify a current Apple product category or compatibility standard. A separate legacy example, NLynx MacMidrange Client, is explicitly marked discontinued on the Twin Data / NLynx product archive. That page lists support for a Power Macintosh or clone running Mac OS 7.6.1 through Mac OS 9 and says OS X is not supported. Those requirements apply to that client only, not to every product once described as Mac-to-midrange.
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SaleBestseller No. 2
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Apple 2026 MacBook Neo 13-inch Laptop with A18 Pro chip: Built for AI and Apple Intelligence, Liquid Retina Display, 8GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, 1080p FaceTime HD Camera, Touch ID; Blush
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Rank #2
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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