Search
  • Videos
  • Windows 10
  • 5G
  • CES
  • Best VPNs
  • Cloud
  • Security
  • more
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • Windows 10
    • 5G
    • CES
    • Best VPNs
    • Cloud
    • Security
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

An inside look at the original Macintosh (photos)

1 of 17 NEXT PREV
  • 6189861.jpg

    It was 27 years ago when Apple unveiled its revolutionary Macintosh computer. Some of its firsts included: introducing a Graphical User Interface to the mainstream user, a mouse, 3.5 floppy drive, cut and paste, and much more. David Morgenstern has a rundown of what is inside.

    Plus, if you think you know the Mac, take our quiz.

    Macintosh's specs included:

    Processor: Motorola 68000 @ 8MHz

    64K ROM            

    128K RAM                   

    Video:  512x384 1-bit black-and-white

    3.5-infch floppy drive - 400MB

    Power: 60 watts

    Above is the original Macintosh complete with keyboard, mouse, and extra 3.5-inch external floppy drive.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189524.jpg

    Macintosh was introduced to the public during Super Bowl XVIII on Jan. 22, 1984 in an ad created by TV ad and movie director Ridley Scott - best known at the time for Blade Runner and Alien.

    Note: The name in the commercial is Macintosh not the Macintosh.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189537.jpg

    The biggest impact of the Macintosh was the introduction of its Graphical User Interface (GUI or gooey) which featured a mouse and cursor over the typed commands generally in use. GUI was developed at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) in the 70s. Legend says it intrigued Steve Jobs enough that he bought some Xerox stock in order to visit PARC in 1979.

    Apple's GUI was first used on its Lisa computer in 1983 but its price tag - as high as $9,995 - doomed the system. It took the Macintosh to make people realize that this was the way to go.

    You can still buy a refurbished Macintosh mouse for $49.99.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189558.png

    This is what the desktop looked like. Software for Macintosh was virtually non-existant since the interface was completely different and almost all software at the time were text and command driven applicatons. Most software developers weren't willing to completely rewrite their applications. When it first went on sale, Macintosh came with free versions of MacWrite and MacPaint.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189616.jpg

    For system errors or crashes, Macintosh displayed a bomb with a description of what might be the problem and sometimes an option to restart.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189617.jpg

    The sad Mac icon indicated an unsuccessful system startup due to a severe hardware or software problem . The hexadecimal codes indicated the type of problem. 

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189528.jpg

    Another example what you'd see on Macintosh's 9-inch screen.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189532.jpg

    The motherboard of Macintosh.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189526.jpg

    Here is one of the first magazine ads for the Mac. Remember for technology, magazines were the most popular form of communication at the time.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189529.jpg

    Steve Jobs and Macintosh helped launch Macworld and later Macworld.com which was a sister site to ZDNet.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189527.jpg

    The creators of Macintosh.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189531.jpg

    Autographs of the developers of Macintosh could be found inside the cover.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189856.jpg

    Although Steve Jobs promised that Macintosh would last 10 years, it was well on its way to becoming obsolete within 9 months with the introduction of Macintosh 512K in Sept. 10, 1984. This prompted a name change in the original unit from "Macintosh" to "Macintosh 128K".

    It was discontinued Oct. 1, 1985.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189533.jpg

    Here is the original case. You can tell it's orginal as the name is simply Macintosh.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189535.jpg

    This is Macintosh was one of the later ones made.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189534.jpg

    The manual for Macintosh.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6189536.jpg

    Here's what the original box looked like.

    Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

1 of 17 NEXT PREV
Andy Smith

By Andy Smith | January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST) | Topic: Apple

  • 6189861.jpg
  • 6189524.jpg
  • 6189537.jpg
  • 6189558.png
  • 6189616.jpg
  • 6189617.jpg
  • 6189528.jpg
  • 6189532.jpg
  • 6189526.jpg
  • 6189529.jpg
  • 6189527.jpg
  • 6189531.jpg
  • 6189856.jpg
  • 6189533.jpg
  • 6189535.jpg
  • 6189534.jpg
  • 6189536.jpg

Twenty-seven years ago this week, Apple unveiled its 128K wonder that changed personal computing.

Read More Read Less

It was 27 years ago when Apple unveiled its revolutionary Macintosh computer. Some of its firsts included: introducing a Graphical User Interface to the mainstream user, a mouse, 3.5 floppy drive, cut and paste, and much more. David Morgenstern has a rundown of what is inside.

Plus, if you think you know the Mac, take our quiz.

Macintosh's specs included:

Processor: Motorola 68000 @ 8MHz

64K ROM            

128K RAM                   

Video:  512x384 1-bit black-and-white

3.5-infch floppy drive - 400MB

Power: 60 watts

Above is the original Macintosh complete with keyboard, mouse, and extra 3.5-inch external floppy drive.

Published: January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST)

Caption by: Andy Smith

1 of 17 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Apple Hardware iPhone Mobility Smartphones Tablets
Andy Smith

By Andy Smith | January 28, 2011 -- 07:28 GMT (23:28 PST) | Topic: Apple

Show Comments
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • Has your iPhone or iPad stopped charging? Check this first!

    Has your iPhone or iPad suddenly and unexpectedly stopped charging? Or has charging become slow, or is charging intermittent even though the cable is plugged in and the charger is ...

  • Apple M1 questions

    I've just again re-watched Apple's M1 chip unveiling event, and I'm left with more questions than answers.

  • Apple Silicon M1 chip -- in pictures

    Here's what we know about Apple's new M1 SoC.

  • Silicon Mac first look: Everything unveiled at Apple's 'One More Thing' event [pictures]

    CEO Tim Cook and Company show off next generation Mac computers and a whole lot more...

  • BodyGuardz cases for Apple iPhone 12: Unequal drop protection and antimicrobial treatment

    BodyGuardz incorporates its Unequal technology to help protect your phone from drops. The cases do not add much weight or thickness, but provide a nice option for protection for less ...

  • ESR cases for the Apple iPhone 12: Kickstands, protection, and MagSafe support

    Video content is enjoyable on a smartphone, but it helps to have a kickstand case to prop it up. ESG makes some of the best kickstand cases, but also has other case options for the new Apple ...

  • Incipio and Survivor cases: Sleek, stylish protection for the Apple iPhone 12

    The four new Apple iPhone 12 devices are available to purchase and case collections from Incipio and Survivor are now available to protect your new investment. ...

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2021 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy | Cookie Settings | Advertise | Terms of Use

  • Topics
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • All Authors
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In
  • Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums