Apple macintosh personal computer. PC (PC) and Mac (Macintosh) are the main differences between the two systems. The gap between Mac and PC sales has narrowed to a minimum
In the seventh part of our history cycle, we are going to recall the computer, the name of which for many comes to mind immediately after the mention of the name of Apple. The Macintosh, later shortened to Mac, became the first commercially successful computer with a graphical interface. Conceived as a means of combating IBM's hegemony, the computer, like the hammer thrown by an athlete in its ad, blew a hole in the traditional understanding of what a personal computer should be.
With the introduction of the Macintosh in January 1984, Apple forever changed the computer industry and perhaps the history of mankind. Jobs haters will probably find this statement too bold, but this article is not written for them. The first generation of Macs included the Macintosh 128K, the Macintosh 512K, and the Macintosh 512Ke. In our material, we will try to consider the differences between these models, as well as figure out why their life was so short, and find out which models have replaced them.
The original Macintosh was the machine that convinced humanity of two things at once. First, such a graphical operating system represented the future of computing; secondly, it requires much more random access memory and disk space. The production run of the first Macintosh was extremely short, as it quickly became clear that 128 kilobytes of RAM was simply not enough to run such a resource-intensive system. It is worth noting that in the early 80s, other computers ran at 128 kilobytes just fine. Many machines, such as the 1981 IBM PC, did come with 64 KB of memory, which was more than enough for most users. However, the graphical interface offered by the Macintosh required more. Apple partially solved this problem by developing software that allowed programmers to segment applications, and the resulting blocks of programs could be loaded into and unloaded from memory as needed. This made it possible to run relatively complex programs on the first Mac, but it had a negative impact on system performance. Loading program segments provided access to floppy disks, which highlighted another significant drawback of the first generation of computers - the low speed of the 400-kilobyte disk drive.
In 1984, the built-in 400 kilobyte disk drive was a real breakthrough, but even that was barely enough to perform complex tasks within the Mac's complex operating system based on a graphical user interface. Although 400 kilobytes was considered an unaffordable luxury for most computers of the time, in the case of the Macintosh it was a dire necessity. It was obvious that the computer could use the option of an external drive that would add another 400 KB of file memory to it. This was due to the fact that the first generation Mac suffered from a lack of disk space, and this caused a lot of inconvenience. For example, simple applications such as MacWrite and MacDraw had to be present on a drive that also served as the main system drive. In addition, if there was not enough space on the floppy disk to copy some large file to it, you had to rearrange the floppy disks. However, the more powerful Mac applications that came out a few years after the introduction of the Macintosh were too large to fit on a single operating system floppy disk. Therefore, to load the application, the user had to pull out the system disk and insert the disk with the program. But the pain didn't end there. During the application boot process, it was usually necessary to remove the program disk and insert the operating system disk in order to load the portion of the OS that is needed to complete the application boot process. Thus, to run one application, sometimes it was necessary to rearrange the floppy disks several times.
The Mac needed a disk drive to run the operating system, as well as a separate drive to run other applications. The best option would be to use two external drives, but the configuration of the first generation Mac did not support this. The maximum possible number of connected drives was 2: external and internal. Also, the original Macintosh and other Macs did not have SCSI (Small Computer System Interface). SCSI was a new set of standards for the physical connection and transfer of data between computers and peripherals.
The arrival of a fast SCSI bus on the next generation of Macs resolved the drive problem by allowing the computer to use high-speed drives. At the same time, some bold manufacturers, including Apple with its Hard Disk 20 (HD 20), also launched first-generation Macs that plugged into floppy, printer, or modem ports. Hard drives were faster than disk drives and held more information, although they were also not without problems. Since the first generation Mac was designed without a user perspective hard drive, the system could not start directly from this media: it was necessary to boot from a floppy disk first, and then switch to the hard disk. Another problem was the original Macintosh's file system (MFS). This system could only handle 128 files on the disk, while the hard disk could store thousands of files. Apple solved this problem by developing a hierarchical file system(HFS), but it didn't become available until the Macintosh Plus hit the market. Most manufacturers hard drives worked to solve this problem by creating software that allowed the user to divide the hard drive into smaller segments, each of which the Mac treated as a separate drive. All of the Macintosh's serial ports were relatively slow compared to SCSI, so in addition to all the problems of hard drives, another one was added - an artificial performance limit.
Macintosh. On January 24, 1984, Apple founder Steve Jobs presented to the public a personal computer, in which the graphical interface was first commercialized.
And although it was not invented at Apple (the first developments were shown by the "father of the computer mouse" Douglas Engelbart back in 1968, and then finalized in the Xerox Park laboratory, where they were spied on and then reworked by Steve Jobs), it was the introduction of the system into the Macintosh laid the foundation for the emergence of modern computers and mobile devices: the graphical interface is part of all today's operating systems. offered to trace how Apple personal computers have changed over the past 30 years.
Macintosh 128K (1984)
The first Macintosh 128K in history, introduced in January 1984, was a monoblock - in one case, a black-and-white monitor with a diagonal of 9 inches (like not the largest modern tablet) and a resolution of 512 by 342 pixels, as well as a system board with Motorola 68000 processor with a frequency of 8 MHz and 128 kilobytes of RAM. The computer cost $2,495.
The only storage medium for the operating system was a 3.5-inch 400 kilobyte floppy disk. To write data from the application to another disk, it could be removed and replaced with another floppy disk. There were no arrows on the keyboard - this is how Apple wanted to emphasize the differences between the new product and the “old” IBM PC and force developers to write applications for Mac from scratch. The arrows on the regular keyboard of “poppies” returned only two years later.
As it turned out, for many multimedia applications, 128 kilobytes of memory was not enough, so in the same 1984, the Macintosh 512 model was released with a quadruple capacity of “RAM” for $2,795.
Macintosh Plus (1986)
One of the main complaints about the first Macintosh was its limited expandability. In the model introduced in January 1986, the standard amount of RAM (1 megabyte) could already be increased to 4. A SCSI port was provided to connect a wide variety of peripherals. Through this interface, external drives, film storage systems, printers, and even monitors could work. The black and white monitor and 8 MHz processor are the same as in the 1984 model.
The Macintosh Plus, like previous models, came with the stock MacPaint and MacWrite applications. But the choice of third-party software was already very wide by that time - MacDraw, Microsoft Word, Excel, PageMaker. It is curious that the first version of Word with a mouse-oriented interface was created specifically for Macs, while Excel and PowerPoint were originally created as programs for Macs.
Although more advanced Macs were introduced a year later, the Macintosh Plus was produced almost until the end of 1990 - that is, more than 4 years - as the most affordable model of Apple's personal computer. Initially, the computer, however, cost more than the first "poppy" - $ 2,599.
Macintosh SE (1987)
Introduced in March 1987, the Macintosh SE used the design of previous Macs, the same display and processor, but boasted more flexibility. It was the first Mac that had space for an additional 20 or 40 megabyte hard drive, or a second floppy drive. Perhaps most revolutionary for the Macintosh line was the addition of an expansion slot to the design. By installing a card in it, including from third-party manufacturers, it was possible to expand the functionality of the computer (by adding, for example, a network card).
In addition, the Macintosh SE introduced a fan for the first time. Its absence in previous models, which relied on natural convection for cooling, was associated with frequent breakdowns of expensive components. A computer with two floppy drives cost $2,900, and with one floppy drive and hard drive for 20 megabytes - 3,900.
Macintosh II (1987)
Presented at the same time as the Macintosh SE, the model would probably be called the “Macintosh Pro”. Externally, the first "Mac" with color support looked much more like computers of the IBM PC architecture without a built-in monitor, took up a lot of space on the table and was not portable. But inside there were six ports for expansion cards at once, including Apple video cards with support for 256 colors at a resolution of 640 by 480 pixels. The IBM VGA standard, which appeared around the same time, supported 256 colors at 320 by 240 or 16 at 640 by 480.
If desired, it was possible to put six video cards in the computer and display the image on six monitors. To deal with graphics Mac apps II received a 16 MHz processor and 2 MB of RAM in the basic configuration, it could be expanded up to 8 MB, and later, with updated software and a number of modifications, up to 68 MB. Even without expansion cards, the computer was very expensive at $5,500, and with a color monitor, graphics card, and high-capacity hard drive, the price could go over $10,000.
Macintosh Portable (1989)
Somewhat reminiscent of today's laptops, the Macintosh Portable was the first Mac with a battery and LCD display. The display was black and white, and the computer itself was rather weak, while due to the high cost, the price was also high - $ 6,500. The only way to upgrade this 7-pound “laptop” was to increase the RAM. Batteries used acid and lead, like car batteries.
The built-in trackball was used to control the cursor. If desired, left-handers could swap it and the keyboard module in places. One of the main drawbacks was the inability to work with the Macintosh Portable even when connected to the network when the battery was completely dead. In addition, in the original model, the screen matrix was devoid of backlight, which made it difficult to work in dimly lit rooms. Then a backlight was added to the computer, the use of which cut the battery life in half.
The computer was considered a failure by the IT press and consumers, and it ended up selling poorly.
Macintosh LC and Macintosh Classic (1990)
In the early 90s, the line of Mac computers began to grow wider, the company tried to be present in all sectors of the market. An attempt to interest ordinary users in a color computer was the Macintosh LC, released in 1990, which cost at the level of the first “poppies” - $ 2,400.
The computer case itself was very thin and was nicknamed the “pizza box”. The computer supported color image output at resolutions up to 640 by 480 (4-bit) and had 2 MB of RAM. The processor, unlike those used in more expensive models, was deprived of a floating point unit. It could be added by taking up a single PDS expansion slot. In the future, the LC series turned out to be quite popular, Apple developed it until the mid-90s. For example, the Macintosh LC 475 pictured above was so popular as a home computer that it was sold not only through dealers, but also in "mass" electronics stores.
At the same time, Apple continued to meet the demand for more affordable computers with black and white screens. The Macintosh Classic, introduced in October 1990, as the name implies, had the same chassis as its predecessor, released in 1984, and the same slow processor. The main advantage of the computer was the price - the version without a hard drive and with 1 MB of RAM sold for "only" $ 999, which made the computer accessible to a much larger number of users than before. It was the first Mac for less than $1,000. However, as the press wrote then, it could only be used normally for typing, as well as working with tables and databases.
PowerBook and Quadra (1991)
Apple learned from the failure of the Macintosh Portable and introduced the PowerBook line in 1991. The entry-level PowerBook 100 retailed for $2,300 and featured a 9-inch, 640-by-400-dot monochrome LCD. The younger PowerBook did not have a built-in floppy drive, and the trackball was placed in front of the keyboard, which made the laptop very compact for that time. It worked on battery for more than 3 hours.
The PowerBook line has been hugely successful with over a billion dollars in first year sales. It is curious that the Japanese Sony took part in the development of the PowerBook 100 and was engaged in its production. In 2005, Mobile PC magazine named the PowerBook 100 "the best gadget of all time."
That same year, Apple released the Quadra line, a high-performance PC that pioneered the company's use of tower cases. They became the prototype for future MacPros. The most affordable Quadra 700 model with a 25 MHz processor and 4 MB of RAM cost $6,000. The maximum capacity of a hard disk could be 400 megabytes, huge for those times.
Macintosh TV (1993)
In the early 90s, Apple "lost focus" - a huge number of models of several lines with different characteristics were produced. Among them were some very strange solutions, such as Macintosh TV. The device was a fairly advanced Mac (32 MHz processor, 4 MB RAM, 160 MB hard drive) combined with a 14-inch color monitor and a cable TV-compatible TV tuner.
The computer was the first of the few "Poppies", enclosed in a black case. The device was not popular. In just a few months from October 1993 to February 1994, 10,000 of these computers were produced, after which production was discontinued. However, TV tuners have become a popular option for other Macs.
Power Macintosh (1994)
In March 1994, Apple introduced a new line of Power Macintosh workstations using PowerPC RISC processors jointly developed by IBM and Motorola. These chips were extremely advanced for the time, operating at frequencies as high as 60 MHz. Later, the Power Macintosh line began to use advanced video and audio processing solutions, which made the computer popular with multimedia professionals.
The competition from the IBM PC platform was already extremely high at that time, Microsoft released quite successful versions of Windows 3.X with a graphical user interface, which forced Apple to reduce the prices of their computers. The base model Power Macintosh 6100, for example, cost $1,700 at launch.
20th Anniversary Macintosh (1997)
Dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Apple, the Macintosh model went on sale only at the end of the spring of 1997, that is, a year after the significant date. The computer had advanced features, fantastic looks, and an equally fantastic $10,000 price tag. The price included delivery by limousine and installation by an engineer dressed in a tuxedo.
The frequency of processors in the 90s grew faster than in the 80s, and memory prices fell: the “anniversary” poppy had a 250-MHz processor and 32 megabytes of “RAM”. In addition, the computer was equipped with a 12-inch LCD monitor capable of displaying millions of colors, a built-in 2 gigabyte hard drive and a 4-speed drive for optical discs. The unique computer was equipped with a radio and TV tuner, and integrated speakers were developed by Bose.
A year later, the futuristic poppy, which was not in demand, had to be discounted to $ 2,000, but this did not help its sales.
iMac G3 and iBook (1998-1999)
In 1997, Steve Jobs, who left in 1985, returned to Apple. The first major project the company undertook after his return was the iMac all-in-one computer. The 15-inch monitor and electronic filling were enclosed in a partially transparent case made of colored and white plastic. The computer came with a matching keyboard and mouse. iMac G3 was the first Apple computer designed by British designer Jonathan Ive.
The computer used a 233 MHz Power PC 750 G3 processor, which was not the fastest at that time, and could have up to 256 MB of RAM. Small speakers and a modem were built into the computer, which made it possible “out of the box” to start using it to access the Web. The first iMac cost $1,300.
A year later, Apple released a "mass" iBook laptop, externally made in the same rounded plastic style as the iMac.
PowerMac Cube (2000)
Apple tried to make a powerful computer ultra-compact, but in 2000 it was much more difficult to do this than in 2013 with the new Mac Pros. The PowerMac Cube was enclosed in a not quite cubic 20 by 20 by 25 cm case. It had no expansion slots, and the audio interface was moved outside the case. The price of the base model was $1,799, and the advanced model, which was sold only in Apple Stores, was $2,299. According to many, Apple made the Cube a "luxury" computer for nothing - the market really needed a simple iMac without a monitor. As a result, less than a year later, production was discontinued.
PowerBook G4 (2001)
The great-grandfather of the current MacBook, the PowerBook G4 was announced in January 2001. The novelty had a widescreen display with a resolution of 1152 by 768 pixels and a titanium case with a thickness of only 2.5 cm - a record of elegance for the then laptops. The base model with a 400MHz processor, 128MB of RAM and a 10GB hard drive cost $2,599. The older one pulled already at $3499.
iMac G4 (2002)
In 2002, Apple completely redesigned the iMac for the first time. The use of the LCD display, which was no longer a luxury by that time, made it possible to make the computer look like a table lamp with a hemispherical base that hid the electronic filling, and a display mounted on an adjustable rod. When announcing the new iMac, Steve Jobs announced that CRT monitors are now “officially dead.” The base model of the computer, however, cost the same as its "pot-bellied" predecessor four years earlier - $ 1,299. Top model with CD-ROM drive sold for 1,799.
PowerMac G5 (2003)
Aluminum has replaced plastic in Apple professional computers. The fifth-generation Power PC processor in this computer was made by IBM - Motorola, a longtime partner of Apple, still could not start mass production. The PowerMac G5 was the first mainstream consumer solution to use a 64-bit processor. The base model ($1,999) used a 1.6GHz chip, while the top model ($2,999) used two 2GHz processors. To cool powerful processors, it was necessary to develop a complex cooling system that divided the case into four temperature zones.
iMac G5 (2004)
The third generation of iMac all-in-ones have the same powerful chip as the PowerMac professional workstations the year before. In this Mac model, for the first time, all the electronics were placed behind the monitor, and the stand under it looked almost the same as that of the current iMac. However, white plastic was still used as body material. But the dimensions of the computer have grown - in the younger model, the display diagonal was 17 inches, and in the older one, which cost from $ 1,899 - 20 inches. A year later, the iSight webcam made its first appearance in the iMac.
Mac mini (2005)
After a long failure with the PowerMac Cube, by the mid-2000s, Apple finally decided to release an affordable computer without a monitor. At that time, the computer was extremely compact, while it had everything necessary for ordinary users, including an optical drive with support for reading DVDs and writing CDs, an ATI Radeon 9200 4X graphics accelerator that supported Full HD picture output, a modem and a 100-megabit network card. Price was the main one: $499 for the base model. It allowed the owner of a PC to buy a Mac without spending money on a new monitor and other peripherals. The top model with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules cost $699.
MacBook and MacBook Pro (2006)
The year 2006 was marked for Apple by the transition to processors manufactured by Intel. The first mobile product with new chips was laptops, the line of which was reformed. It was decided to abandon the PowerBook and iBook brands, instead of them the more advanced MacBook Pro (in January 2006) and the “mass” MacBook (announced in May) appeared.
One of the MacBook models was black, but in the future this color did not take root in the Apple laptop line - the era of aluminum was coming. Nevertheless, it was the MacBook computers that were destined to become the best-selling Macs in history.
iMac (2007)
In 2007, Apple encased the iMac in an aluminum case that was shaped like the iPhone introduced the same year, and the screen diagonal of the computer grew to 20 inches for the younger model and 24 inches for the older model. Computers used dual-core Intel processors with a frequency of 2 GHz, the junior configuration cost $ 1,199. It was with these aimaks that the ultra-thin aluminum keyboard was first shipped.
MacBook Pro Unibody (2008)
In 2008, Apple's "professional" line of aluminum laptops received a new design. The case was turned by special machines from a single piece of aluminum, which made it extremely durable, and, moreover, helped to better remove heat from the processor and video card. Computers had a new glass-covered trackpad, and the entire display, including its black border, was covered in glass. These laptops used a miniature Mini Display Port instead of the larger DVI ports on previous models.
MacBook Air (2008)
A new technology for the production of aluminum unibody cases has made it possible to reduce the thickness of the laptop to a record low 19 mm (and 4 mm at its thinnest point). The first ultra-thin MacBook was introduced in January 2008, the MacBook Air. During its development, Apple had to make a lot of compromises, as a result, the device had low performance, and RAM (2GB) could not be increased at all.
But for the first time, solid-state (SSD) media was available as an option instead of a traditional hard drive, which seriously increased the speed of system boot and program launch. Within a few years, the MacBook Air got rid of most of the shortcomings of the first model and became, in fact, the standard laptop for users who do not require "professional" performance.
MacBook Air 2010 11″ and 13″ (2010)
In the fall of 2010, the thinnest "Macbooks" continued to evolve, simultaneously decreasing in size. The 11-inch MacBook Air was the lightest (1.04 kg) computer in Apple history. The novelty, like its more expensive counterpart with a 13-inch screen, was equipped with a solid-state drive with a capacity of 64 GB. At the same time, the basic version cost significantly less than the first, still such an imperfect MacBook Air model: $999 versus $1,799.
MacBook Pro with Retina display (2012)
In the last 5 years, the frequency of appearance of new models has decreased. Perhaps the most advanced among Apple laptops today is the MacBook Pro with Retina display, first introduced in 2012. The computer is close to ultrabooks in size, while it has an ultra-high resolution screen, the pixels on which are almost invisible.
Mac Pro (2013)
The main “poppy” of 2013 was, of course, the Mac Pro in a new design and with fundamentally new characteristics. The computer is enclosed in a relatively small black glossy cylindrical case and starts at $2,999. Top-of-the-line configurations that can handle multiple streams of 4K video at the same time can ease the pockets of $10,000 or more for video editing or audio professionals.
Macintosh- the most popular series of computers manufactured by Apple. The name of the device is due to the apple variety Malus McIntosh, which is popular in North America.
Over the 33 years of its existence, computers have been divided into professional and consumer lines, stylish and compact laptops have appeared in the country, stationary models have become more powerful and productive.
Here are 27 of the most iconic models in the Mac lineup.
First Macintosh (1984)
The first Mac was released January 24, 1984. It became one of the first personal computers to use a graphical user interface. Shortly after the launch of the Macintosh, the company ceased production of the Apple III computers, which were inferior to the novelty in all respects.
Users were not enthusiastic about the release of the Macintosh, critics scolded the closed architecture, which did not allow them to independently change the technical characteristics of the device. After the popular and beloved by geeks of that time, the Apple II Macintosh did not look very promising.
Macintosh Plus (1986)
The computer was produced after the dismissal of Jobs from the company. In it, the developers tried to eliminate the main complaints of users and equipped the computer with 1 megabyte of RAM (the first model had only 128 kilobytes of RAM) and a SCSI port for connecting peripherals.
The Macintosh Plus came with a solid set of office software. As a result, the model was produced until the end of 1990 and all this time remained the most affordable Apple personal computer.
Macintosh SE (1987)
Introduced in the spring of 1987, the Macintosh SE was the first Mac with the ability to install an additional hard drive or a second drive. A special expansion slot on the board made it possible to connect devices, including those from third-party manufacturers.
A ventilation system was installed in the SE case, which saved the Macintosh from a common problem - overheating.
Macintosh II (1987)
The device fundamentally differed from previous models by the presence of a color display, which allowed displaying an image with support for 256 colors at a resolution of 640 by 480 pixels.
Inside, 6 expansion ports were provided for installing additional boards and modules. The price tag for the Macintosh II started at a considerable $5,500 at that time, and the maximum configuration cost more than $10,000.
Macintosh Portable (1989)
The model was the first attempt by Apple to release something similar to modern laptops. The device was equipped with a black and white LCD display and a removable battery.
The filling was weak at that time, it was possible to expand only the amount of RAM. At the same time, the device weighed more than 7 kilograms and cost more than the basic Macintosh II models.
Due to the characteristics of the battery, users could not work for some time after the battery was completely discharged, even when connected to the network, and the missing matrix backlight made it difficult to work in the dark.
Macintosh Classic (1990)
Apple decides to release an affordable solution - Macintosh Classic. The computer with a black-and-white display was practically no different from the first Macintosh, but the device cost only $999.
The first Mac cheaper than a thousand dollars has become really massive. Performance was enough for most ordinary users.
Powerbook (1991)
After weak sales of the Macintosh Portable, the company completely revised the vision of a portable computer and released the PowerBook. It was already similar to modern laptops, the base model had a 9-inch monochrome display.
The design of the model was developed by specialists from Sony.
A trackball was used to control the cursor. The battery life was at the level of 3.5 hours.
Quadra (1991)
In the same year, the company released the Quadra, which became the progenitor of the Mac Pro.
The device was equipped with a powerful 25 MHz processor, 4 MB of RAM and a 400 MB disk.
Power Macintosh (1994)
Apple's advanced personal computers went on sale in 1994. They worked on productive 60 MHz processors for that time.
The devices coped well with the processing of video and sound. This later helped popularize the Mac among professional users.
Due to competition from Microsoft, Apple was forced to cut prices and at the start of sales, the base model was sold for $1,700.
20th Anniversary Macintosh (1997)
In the spring of 1997, the 20th Anniversary Macintosh computer went on sale. It was released for the 20th anniversary of the company. The exorbitant price tag of $10,000 did not contribute to large sales, even though the device was delivered to the buyer's house for this money.
Inside was a 250 megahertz processor, 32 MB of RAM, a 2 GB hard drive, radio and TV tuners. The image was displayed on a 12-inch LCD display.
A year later, the model was sold for $2,000.
PowerBook G3 (1997)
The release of the model occurred after the return of Jobs, but was developed in his absence.
All models were equipped with a black rubberized case and had a luminous logo on the back cover. At that time, he looked at the user when closed, and when the lid was opened, he turned upside down.
iMac G3 (1998)
The iMac was Jobs' first major project since returning to Apple. The personal PC was designed for a wide range of customers. The bright translucent body contained all the insides and looked very attractive.
For the first time he was involved in the development of design Jony Ive.
The model was equipped with a built-in modem and speakers, which made it possible to immediately use it for networking and multimedia entertainment.
iBook G3 (1999)
The laptop was aimed at a wide range of consumers and had a bright, memorable design. The model became really mass, it was acquired by students and schoolchildren.
The iBook was one of the first laptops on the market with built-in Wi-Fi.
PowerMac Cube (2000)
Not the most successful attempt to make a compact and powerful computer was made in the early 2000s. PowerMac Cube had good parameters, but did not allow for an upgrade. The price tag ranged from $1,700 to $2,299.
The model sold poorly and was discontinued a year later.
iMac G4 (2002)
The company decided on a radical redesign of the model. The computer took on the shape familiar to today, but most of the stuffing was located in a powerful base.
The model was equipped with an LCD display and cost $1,299 in the basic configuration. The older version with improved hardware and a CD-ROM on board cost $1,799.
PowerMac G5 (2003)
A year later, the professional desktop Mac received an aluminum chassis and a familiar monoblock design. The device became the first mass solution with 64-bit processors manufactured by IBM - Motorola.
iMac G5 (2004)
The first iMac model in which the developers were able to place the filling in the case behind the display. The case itself was decided to be left plastic, but the model clearly set the course for the development of the line.
So far, Apple has used a similar iMac design with minor modifications and changes. In the lineup there were configurations with displays of 17 and 20 inches.
Mac mini (2005)
After not the most successful PowerMac Cube model, Apple decided to make a compact computer for a wide range of consumers without a monitor, keyboard and manipulator.
For your time Mac mini was considered very compact, the user was offered a good filling with a DVD drive and the ability to display an image in Full HD resolution.
MacBook and MacBook Pro (2006)
This year, the company decided to switch to using Intel processors. Notebooks with iBooks and PowerBooks have been renamed MacBooks and MacBook Pros. Initially, the devices were produced in a plastic case, there was even a black model.
MacBook Pro Unibody (2008)
Professional laptops in 2008 received an updated design and a metal case, machined from a single piece of aluminum. For ease of use, a glass touchpad began to be used under the keyboard.
MacBook Air (2008)
Apple has applied thin aluminum unibody technology to the ultra-thin MacBook Air laptop. Striking for those times, the case thickness of 19 mm left all competitors far behind.
The models used SSD drives, but the filling was not the most productive, the model got very hot even with a small load.
MacBook Pro Retina (2012)
The next revolution in the line of personal computers began with a professional model of laptops. It was the MacBook Pro that was the first to receive a Retina display with amazing resolution and picture quality.
Later, all models of Apple computers (except the MacBook Air) received similar matrices, and Retina resolution became a kind of standard in the production of displays for laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Mac Pro (2013)
The stationary professional Mac has received a completely new design for the first time in 10 years. It was a black metal cylinder, unlike anything else.
A considerable price tag of $ 2,999 was partly justified by a powerful filling with the possibility of an upgrade. Until now, the Mac Pro is available in a similar case.
MacBook (2015)
In Cupertino, they decided to put an end to the legendary MacBook Air. The company begins selling ultra-compact MacBook. The device has an energy-efficient mobile processor with passive cooling.
At the same time, the new MacBook is deprived of the main drawback of Air and has a bright and juicy 12-inch Retina display.
MacBook Pro (2016)
One of the most controversial updates to the MacBook Pro line. All modifications, with the exception of the base 13-inch, received a touch panel instead of the top row of function keys.
It greatly diversifies the process of interaction with a laptop, but at the same time does not allow you to use the device without looking at the keyboard unit.
Another controversial decision was the rejection of various ports and interfaces in favor of the universal USB Type-C.
iMac Pro (2017)
It looks like Apple is going to end production of the Mac Pro. The role of a powerful desktop computer will now go to the new iMac Pro.
The model was presented in 2017, but sales will begin only before the New Year holidays.
A magnificent 27-inch 5K display is complemented by powerful hardware and an immodest price tag.
This is how one of the most famous and popular personal computers in the world develops. Some consider modern models the peak of technology and evolution, while others state a decline and an ideological crisis at Apple. This does not prevent computers from selling well and bringing the company a large share of the profits.
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; operate under the Mac OS operating system. The name comes from the macintosh variety of apples. The term "macintosh" is usually understood as all computers manufactured by Apple, although this company also produced products under other names. Apple was founded in 1977 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in California.
Their first personal computer, the Apple 2, housed in a plastic case, had an integrated keyboard and used a TV as a display. Weighing less than 7kg, the Apple 2 cost just $1,350, making it affordable for the average American. Seven expansion slots made it possible to increase the capabilities of the machine with the help of expansion cards for graphics, communications and printing. In the summer of 1978, the Apple 2 was equipped with a disk drive, and in late 1979 with the VisiCalc software package. Thanks to high quality With its products, Apple became the leading company in the microcomputer market in the late 1970s.
Thanks to the all-on-line design (all in one), in which the system unit and monitor are combined in one case, the computer takes up minimal space on the table. But at the same time, the machine did not have a hard drive and it was not possible to connect external devices. 128 kilobytes of RAM did not allow creating large files, made it difficult to copy floppy disks. The 3.5-inch drive format was unusual, whereas in the early eighties, the five-inch format was generally accepted. The list of software for the new computer was limited to just three programs.
A big disappointment for buyers was the price of the Macintosh - more than 2.5 thousand dollars instead of the planned one thousand. The mid-eighties were not successful for Apple. Sales were poor, with only software companies and university associations being the main buyers. As a result of internal troubles, on September 17, 1985, Steve Jobs left Apple.
However, the high reputation of Apple products among programmers and developers allowed the company to save face. In 1985, Microsoft developed the Excel for Macintosh spreadsheet, which was not released for the PC until a year later. Macintosh programs Aldus PageMaker and LaserWriter have revolutionized the publishing industry, providing Apple products with a steady sale in this market sector. New development of Apple - Macintosh Plus - became the first computer with the SCSI interface popular with programmers-developers. Having a SCSI port is becoming a Macintosh standard. The creation in 1986 of the KadjiTalk version of the operating system for working with hieroglyphs conquered the Asian market for Apple.
In 1987, the Macintosh 2 appeared. Its developers abandoned the all-on-line principle and provided six slots for expansion cards. In 1989, Apple sold more computers than IBM, and its new designs attracted the attention of customers from industrial enterprises and research centers. In 1990, the Macintosh 2fx entered the market - the fastest personal computer of its time (and the most expensive in Apple history - at a price of ten thousand dollars).
In 1991, the Mac 7.0 operating system was created, where 32-bit addressing, program menus, virtual memory were used - about fifty fundamental innovations in total. The same year saw the launch of the Macintosh LC, a relatively cheap ultra-slim computer that became one of Apple's most successful commercial projects. In 1992 portable Mac computers intosh PowerBooks have become the best-selling laptops in the industry. At the same time, the Newton pocket computer was created, which brought to life a fundamentally new approach to the interface, and, above all, input and handwriting recognition. Unfortunately, the small size of RAM made it difficult to write application programs for Newton.
In 1994, there was a change of Macintosh generations - computers of the PowerMacintosh family were released. Apple has almost completely switched to the release of computers on the PowerPc processor, developed jointly by Apple, IBM and Motorola. This processor used advanced RISC technology. In 1995, the first Macintosh with a PCI bus appeared, as well as the first Macintosh clones.
In 1997, Steve Jobs took over Apple again. With his return, the company's strategy has shifted towards lowering the price of the Macintosh and releasing a number of new models available to a wide range of users - from professionals to 3D gamers. In 1997, Apple announced the release of a new family of Macintosh - G3. The new generation PowerPC processor became the heart of the new computer. Compared to the similar Pentium II, the performance gain of the G3 processor was 30%. In fact, the motherboard for the G3 was different from motherboard for the Pentium, only the socket for the processor itself. Thus, it became possible to use standard devices in the Macintosh, which significantly reduced its price.
In 1999, Apple introduced a new line of desktop computers. These include iMac computers in five new colors, a new line of Power Macintosh G4 computers with three types of monitors, and the server operating system Mac OS X Server. Housed in a stylish translucent chassis, the Power Macintosh G4 was Apple's most powerful system yet. They used the latest copper-based PowerPC processors up to 450 MHz, graphics ATI cards RAGE 128, FireWire, USB, Ethernet support. For home users, the company announced a family of iMac computers in a range of five bright colors Blueberry (blueberry), Lime (lime), Tangerine (tangerine), Strawberry (strawberry) and Grape (grape). The iMac was the best-selling personal computer in the US. The latest PowerPC-based desktops and servers were equipped with G5 processors, while laptops were equipped with G4 processors from IBM. In 2006, Apple switched to Intel processors.
The difference between Macintosh computers and competitor models (personal computers on the x86 platform under Windows control) is that Apple creates both the hardware and operating system. Macintosh computers can be used as workstations, specialized, office and home machines. Rich selection of system and application software, including a range of file format compatible programs with more common PC software (MS Word, Adobe Photoshop). Macintosh computers are most widely used in the field of computer graphics and printing. In the mid-2000s, the Macintosh line spanned the gamut from the low-cost desktop Mac mini to the midrange Xserve server.
Apple's iconic Macintosh turns 30 today.
Over the years, the popular computer has taken many shapes and sizes, constantly improving both externally and internally. Designed by acclaimed genius Steve Jobs, the Mac has become one of the most iconic achievements of Apple and the tech world at large. Mashable has traced the Mac's journey from bulky dinosaurs to today's ultrathin iMacs and MacBooks.
1. Lisa
In 1983, Apple introduced its very first GUI-based computer, the Apple Lisa, named after the daughter of Steve Jobs. It took more than 3 years and about 50 million dollars to create it. The price tag was appropriate - about $ 10,000, which was beyond the reach of most buyers and therefore the project was a failure from a financial point of view. Even though Lisa is not technically a Mac, there is no doubt that she was a huge influence on the first Mac, which was introduced on January 24, 1984.
2 Macintosh XL
To compensate for the Lisa's modest success, in 1985 Apple redesigned the model, changed the name to Macintosh XL, and lowered the price to $3,495.
3 Macintosh 128K
Introduced in 1984, the Macintosh 128K was the very first Macintosh personal computer in history and retailed for $2,495. With a 9-inch screen, 128KB of RAM, and revolutionary ease of use, the Macintosh's long history is off to a great start.
4 Macintosh 512K
Right after 128, wasreleased 512 - in fact, the same appearance, but with four times more memory.
5 Macintosh Plus
In early 1986, the world meets the Macintosh Plus. It was equipped with 1 MB of RAM and cost about $2,599. Also, it had a SCSI port, which meant that the user could connect additional hard drives.
6 Macintosh Portable
The first battery powered Mac was released in 1989. At one time, it was considered quite fast, having a frequency of 16 MHz. But even this did not help him become widely popular. Maybe because he weighed almost 7 kg?
7.Powerbook
Another thing! Powerbook came out a few years later, in 1991, and, thanks to its light weight, became the first truly laptop computer Apple. The floppy drive (remember floppy disks?) was external. The line lasted until 2006. By the way, in the series “Sex and the City” the main character Carrie Bradshaw wrote most of her notes on the Powerbook G3.
8.iMac
Just look at this computer - it looks more like a gum bubble! iMac debuted in 1998 and was the first big project since the return of Steve Jobs to the post of head of Apple. Transparent and bright, the iMac was also a bold step forward because it replaced the use of floppy disks with USB ports.
9. iMac G4
The iMac G4 won the hearts of tech enthusiasts with its versatility and incredibly flat display. Thanks to the metal “leg”, the monitor could be moved to almost any angle. At his presentation, which Steve Jobs gave in 2002, the public could not hold back emotions.
10. MacBook
Apple introduced the first MacBook in 2006. Its distinguishing features are the built-in iSight webcam, a bright and high-contrast LCD display, and a keyboard that effectively complements the case.
11. MacBook Air
The “holy grail” of modern MacBooks is, of course, the MacBook Air. The thinnest invention of Apple and part-time the thinnest laptop in the world. Jobs introduced it to the public in 2008 and since then the line has been regularly updated to keep pace with the times. The very first MacBook Air featured an 80GB hard drive and bright LED backlighting.
12. iMac today
Thinner and larger than ever before, the modern iMac is just a monitor, wireless keyboard, and mouse. The latest 27" models are equipped with powerful Intel processors and Fusion Drives, which combine a hard drive and solid state drive (flash memory).
