The Tool Desk
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What did Mac-to-midrange mean?
The phrase appears as a section heading in the March 1995 issue of MacUser, alongside the subtitle “New AS/400, HP 9000 Connections.” In that context, it meant software and networking that let Mac users reach host files, applications, terminal sessions, and printers. The term is historical, not the name of a current product standard. (MacUser, March 1995)
The “midrange” systems in the article were IBM AS/400 and Hewlett-Packard 9000-series computers. The goal was to keep Macs useful in organizations whose business data or applications ran on those hosts.
What could the connection do?
- Terminal or display access: show host applications through 5250 emulation for AS/400 systems.
- Printing: route host output to printers available on a Mac network, including AppleTalk printers in one example.
- File transfer: move files between Macintosh users and a host, using methods that varied by product.
Products did not all use the same network or transfer technology. The 1995 roundup refers to AppleTalk, TCP/IP, and IBM’s APPC file-transfer standard. Those are descriptions of the products in that period, not claims about present-day compatibility. (MacUser, March 1995)
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Which products did the 1995 article describe?
| Product | Host and connection approach | Functions described | Price reported in March 1995 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Data SNA*ps 5250 | IBM AS/400; AppleTalk Direct and host software linked the host with a Mac network. | 5250 display access and AS/400 printing. | $345, as listed in the article. |
| Wall Data SNA*ps Folder 400 | IBM AS/400; used IBM’s APPC file-transfer standard. | Macintosh file transfer. | About $1,000, an anticipated price in the article. |
| Andrew A/TAxcess | IBM AS/400 over AppleTalk. | 5250 terminal and printer emulation, plus bidirectional file transfer. | $200, as listed in the article. |
| Andrew TCP/Axcess for Macintosh Release 3 | Connected to a host over TCP/IP. | Printed AS/400 documents on AppleTalk printers. | $200, as listed in the article. |
| WRQ Reflection 1 Plus, version 4.1 | HP 9000-series host; the article does not state a connection method. | Multiple HP sessions, faster file transfer, and graphical keyboard mapping. | $329, as listed in the article; the version 4.1 upgrade was free to current users. |
These figures are historical prices reported in the March 1995 roundup; they do not establish current pricing, availability, or support. The article describes different capabilities rather than identifying one product as best overall. (MacUser, March 1995)
Is Mac-to-midrange software still available for modern Macs?
Do not assume that software described under this historical label works with current Macs. One separate legacy example, NLynx MacMidrange Client, is explicitly marked discontinued on the surviving product page. That page specifies 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 particular client, not every product ever described as Mac-to-midrange. (Twin Data / NLynx, “NLynx MacTwin / MacMidrange Client”)
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What the term does—and does not—tell you
When you encounter “Mac-to-midrange,” read it as a period description of Macintosh access to enterprise hosts. The specific host, connection method, functions, and Mac operating-system requirements depended on the software. The phrase alone does not establish that a product remains available, supported, or compatible with a modern macOS release.
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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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