Attached > Computer history > “Macintosh. Twenty years later”
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The original Macintosh spawned a whole family of computers. This poster will show thirty most important and innovative, but also the most troublesome models.
During the last twenty years, Apple has also released various peripherals and non-computer products (such as iPod, Newton, writers or AirPort) – these will not be discussed here.
Macintosh XL January 1985
Repackaged Lisa 2, sold with MacWorks – a Macintosh emulator. Discontinued three months later.
Repackaged Lisa 2, sold with MacWorks – a Macintosh emulator. Discontinued three months later.
Macintosh Plus January 1986
Introduced two years after the original Macintosh, Plus was upgraded with 1 MB of RAM, new 800 KB floppy drive, built-in SCSI port, and a keyboard with cursor arrows and integrated keypad. During 1987 the case colour was changed from beige to platinum. Discontinued in 1990, it had the longest product life of any Macintosh.
Introduced two years after the original Macintosh, Plus was upgraded with 1 MB of RAM, new 800 KB floppy drive, built-in SCSI port, and a keyboard with cursor arrows and integrated keypad. During 1987 the case colour was changed from beige to platinum. Discontinued in 1990, it had the longest product life of any Macintosh.
Macintosh II March 1987
The first modular Mac, with a separate monitor and an easy-to-open case. Supported plug and play and multiple monitors years before PCs. Could be turned on using the power key on the keyboard.
The first modular Mac, with a separate monitor and an easy-to-open case. Supported plug and play and multiple monitors years before PCs. Could be turned on using the power key on the keyboard.
Macintosh SE March 1987
An extension of Macintosh Plus, in a new platinum case. SE stood for Special Edition.
An extension of Macintosh Plus, in a new platinum case. SE stood for Special Edition.
Macintosh IIci September 1989
One of the most popular Macintoshes ever. First to have a built-in support for colour, and a first truly 32-bit Mac system.
One of the most popular Macintoshes ever. First to have a built-in support for colour, and a first truly 32-bit Mac system.
Macintosh Portable September 1989
The first portable Macintosh, with 10” active matrix screen, integrated trackball and up to ten hours of battery live. Its high price and massive weight (almost 8 kilograms) were main causes of its downfall.
The first portable Macintosh, with 10” active matrix screen, integrated trackball and up to ten hours of battery live. Its high price and massive weight (almost 8 kilograms) were main causes of its downfall.
Macintosh Classic October 1990
Basically a refined Macintosh Plus in a new case. Obsolete long before its launch, Macintosh Classic only slightly redeemed itself with a historically low, sub-$1,000 price tag (hence its big popularity in schools). Included a fully working GUI in its ROM.
Basically a refined Macintosh Plus in a new case. Obsolete long before its launch, Macintosh Classic only slightly redeemed itself with a historically low, sub-$1,000 price tag (hence its big popularity in schools). Included a fully working GUI in its ROM.
Quadra 700 October 1991
First of the new family of Macs, and also first to ship in a tower case (that is, a Macintosh IIcx case on its side, with the label rotated 90 degrees).
First of the new family of Macs, and also first to ship in a tower case (that is, a Macintosh IIcx case on its side, with the label rotated 90 degrees).
PowerBook 100 October 1991
The first, and in many ways the most innovative PowerBook of all time. One-third as heavy and as expensive as Portable. Introduced the now-standard design of keyboard in the back and pointing device (then trackball) in front.
The first, and in many ways the most innovative PowerBook of all time. One-third as heavy and as expensive as Portable. Introduced the now-standard design of keyboard in the back and pointing device (then trackball) in front.
Macintosh LC II March 1992
Apple’s second “Volkswagen Beetle without the charm.” LC stood for Low Cost, and as such, LC II was crippled by design. Followed by much more better LC III.
Apple’s second “Volkswagen Beetle without the charm.” LC stood for Low Cost, and as such, LC II was crippled by design. Followed by much more better LC III.
PowerBook Duo 210 October 1992
The first Macintosh notebook introducing the concept of docking – that is putting a notebook into a special dock which turns it into a desktop machine. The dock usually had larger drive, more memory, and more ports.
The first Macintosh notebook introducing the concept of docking – that is putting a notebook into a special dock which turns it into a desktop machine. The dock usually had larger drive, more memory, and more ports.
Macintosh IIvx October 1992
IIvx came in a metal case, and was the first Macintosh to be built with an internal CD-ROM drive in mind, further solidifying Apple’s concept of “multimedia” (introduced a year earlier).
IIvx came in a metal case, and was the first Macintosh to be built with an internal CD-ROM drive in mind, further solidifying Apple’s concept of “multimedia” (introduced a year earlier).
Centris 660av July 1993
The last representative of the short-lived Centris family, and one of the first Macs with integrated audio-video capabilities.
The last representative of the short-lived Centris family, and one of the first Macs with integrated audio-video capabilities.
Macintosh TV October 1993
A unique Macintosh with a built-in TV tuner, shipped in black case and sold only in audio-video stores. Never gathered much popularity due to high price and limited functionality (it was impossible to watch TV in a window or record it).
A unique Macintosh with a built-in TV tuner, shipped in black case and sold only in audio-video stores. Never gathered much popularity due to high price and limited functionality (it was impossible to watch TV in a window or record it).
Power Macintosh 6100 March 1994
The first Macintosh with a PowerPC processor, replacing the venerable 680x0 family. Apple’s move to PowerPC was applauded by users and analysts as one of the most smooth platform switches in the history of computing.
The first Macintosh with a PowerPC processor, replacing the venerable 680x0 family. Apple’s move to PowerPC was applauded by users and analysts as one of the most smooth platform switches in the history of computing.
PowerBook 520 May 1994
First of the new line of PowerBooks designed around the 68LC040 processor. Featured function keys and introduced the trackpad – a pointing device that became a standard in all future notebooks.
First of the new line of PowerBooks designed around the 68LC040 processor. Featured function keys and introduced the trackpad – a pointing device that became a standard in all future notebooks.
PowerBook 5300 August 1995
Probably the most problematic portable Macintosh. Its poor performance and plastic chipping from the case earned it many jokes, but nothing came close to batteries that... caught fire under some circumstances.
Probably the most problematic portable Macintosh. Its poor performance and plastic chipping from the case earned it many jokes, but nothing came close to batteries that... caught fire under some circumstances.
Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh May 1997
An extraordinary Macintosh released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Apple’s incorporation. A very slim unit featured LCD screen, sound system by Bose (including separate soundwoofer) and a notebook-like keyboard. Available for $10,000, it arrived at buyer’s doorstep assisted with a tuxedo-clad Apple’s representative unpacking the gear and giving a short demo.
An extraordinary Macintosh released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Apple’s incorporation. A very slim unit featured LCD screen, sound system by Bose (including separate soundwoofer) and a notebook-like keyboard. Available for $10,000, it arrived at buyer’s doorstep assisted with a tuxedo-clad Apple’s representative unpacking the gear and giving a short demo.
iMac August 1998
The Macintosh for the new millennium. Came in a colourful, translucent case. Featured USB as its only means of expansion, thus adding to the popularity of the standard.
The Macintosh for the new millennium. Came in a colourful, translucent case. Featured USB as its only means of expansion, thus adding to the popularity of the standard.
PowerMac G3 January 1999
Borrowing design traits from iMac, PowerMac G3 was the first Macintosh to support FireWire, Apple’s high-speed data port.
Borrowing design traits from iMac, PowerMac G3 was the first Macintosh to support FireWire, Apple’s high-speed data port.
iBook July 1999
The first consumer portable in five years, iBook continued iMac’s colourful and translucent style. Available in two colours – Blueberry and Tangerine – the iBook was equipped with a handle for more comfortable carrying. It also introduced AirPort, a wireless networking technology.
The first consumer portable in five years, iBook continued iMac’s colourful and translucent style. Available in two colours – Blueberry and Tangerine – the iBook was equipped with a handle for more comfortable carrying. It also introduced AirPort, a wireless networking technology.
PowerMac G4 October 1999
The first personal computer fast enough to be considered a weapon by US army, and therefore subject to exporting restrictions. Later models added long-awaited multi-processor configurations.
The first personal computer fast enough to be considered a weapon by US army, and therefore subject to exporting restrictions. Later models added long-awaited multi-processor configurations.
PowerMac G4 Cube July 2000
One of the most compact and interesting-looking Macintoshes. Housed in a 20×20×20 cm fanless cube, with ports at the bottom and slot DVD drive at the top. A classic case of style over substance, the Cube never sold well due to low expansion possibilities and high price.
One of the most compact and interesting-looking Macintoshes. Housed in a 20×20×20 cm fanless cube, with ports at the bottom and slot DVD drive at the top. A classic case of style over substance, the Cube never sold well due to low expansion possibilities and high price.
PowerBook G4 January 2001
The first portable with a G4 processor, sporting a stylish enclosure based on Titanium, with a wide-screen 15” display.
The first portable with a G4 processor, sporting a stylish enclosure based on Titanium, with a wide-screen 15” display.
iBook May 2001
A new edition of iBook in a completely new, white case. The first Macintosh to include a combo DVD/CD-RW drive.
A new edition of iBook in a completely new, white case. The first Macintosh to include a combo DVD/CD-RW drive.
iMac January 2002
A completely new iMac with LCD screen and a semispherical base. Later available in 17” and, recently, 20” models. Featured “SuperDrive,” capable of burning CDs and DVDs.
A completely new iMac with LCD screen and a semispherical base. Later available in 17” and, recently, 20” models. Featured “SuperDrive,” capable of burning CDs and DVDs.
eMac April 2002
Basically a 17” iMac designed for education market, but also sold to individual customers.
Basically a 17” iMac designed for education market, but also sold to individual customers.
Xserve May 2002
Apple’s return to the server market, Xserve had a special case designed to put in 19” server racks. Later available in bigger RAID units.
Apple’s return to the server market, Xserve had a special case designed to put in 19” server racks. Later available in bigger RAID units.
PowerBook G4 17” January 2003
The first notebook ever with 17-inch screen, and Apple’s most powerful notebook ever. Shipped in an all-new aluminium case, and featured FireWire 800, internal BlueTooth and AirPort Extreme.
The first notebook ever with 17-inch screen, and Apple’s most powerful notebook ever. Shipped in an all-new aluminium case, and featured FireWire 800, internal BlueTooth and AirPort Extreme.
PowerMac G5 June 2003
Touted the most powerful personal computer ever, PowerMac G5 is based on IBM’s new microprocessor, and housed in an aluminium enclosure with four independent thermal zones and nine fans. 1,100 G5s were bought by Virginia Tech to create world’s third fastest supercomputer, nicknamed... Big Mac.
Touted the most powerful personal computer ever, PowerMac G5 is based on IBM’s new microprocessor, and housed in an aluminium enclosure with four independent thermal zones and nine fans. 1,100 G5s were bought by Virginia Tech to create world’s third fastest supercomputer, nicknamed... Big Mac.