The Macintosh officially turns 25 on January 24, 2009, the anniversary of the day Apple announced the original Macintosh to its Board of Directors and to the world- the world of personal computing has never been the same.

This page covers the Macintosh Era. For coverage of Apple from 1977 through 1983, see our Before the Macintosh section.

1984

• 1984: The First Macs, Dan Knight, Mac History, 2009.01.12. “On January 24, 1984, Apple announced the Macintosh to their Board of Directors and to the world.”
• 25 years: The Macintosh legacy, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 01.23. On January 24, 1984, the world said hello to a new kind of computer that reshaped the personal computer industry.
• The Original Macintosh, Dan Knight, Online Tech Journal, 2001.01.12. An in-depth look at the original Macintosh and how it shaped future Macs.
• The Story Behind Apple’s 1984 Ad, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2006.01.27. Although it went on to become the best ad in the history of the SuperBowl, Apple’s board of directors wanted to pull the ad and run something safer.
• Growing Apple with the Macintosh: The Sculley Years, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2006.02.22. With the Mac ascendant, Apple grew to become the biggest personal computer maker on the market in 1990.
• Innovative Macintosh System 1.0, Andrew Conachey, Classic Mac Nostalgia, 2005.12.08. The first Mac OS brought a graphical user interface to the masses, and a lot of it looks familiar to long-time Mac users.
• The Overpriced Mac in 1984, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2005.01.10. Looking at the personal computing world of 1984 to determine whether the original Mac was overpriced.
• The Roots of the Mac OS, Trevor Wale, One More Thing, 2007.12.21. Mac OS X has long, deep roots going back through the Classic Mac OS, the Lisa Office System, and work at Xerox PARC.
• The Mac Is a Personal Computer, not a PC, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.08.06. “…the simple fact is that while the Macintosh is a personal computer, the world knows that it is not a PC.”
• The First Macs: 1984 to 1986, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.05.23. The original Mac, two 512K Macs, the Mac Plus, and competition from the Apple II side.
• We’ve Come a Long Way Since 1984: Looking Back at Macworld’s Premier Issue, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 2008.08.22. In 1984, Apple introduced the first Macintosh computer, and Macworld magazine was soon there to help Mac users explore the new world of computing.
• MacWrite 1.0: Defining Word Processing for a Graphical User Interface, Andrew Conachey, Classic Mac Nostalgia, 2006.11.15. The Mac’s first word processor introduced a lot of features and norms that show up in today’s word processing software.
• Software Bundles: What Came with the Mac 128K, 512K, and Plus, Andrew Conachey, Classic Mac Nostalgia, 2006.01.03. A look at the software and system versions that Apple shipped with the original Macintosh, the 512K Fat Mac, the Mac Plus, and the Mac 512ke.
• Jef Raskin, the Visionary Behind the Mac, Jason Walsh, Apple Before the Mac, 2005.01.19. “I avoided the supposed ‘visionaries’ in the company who could not understand my idea but presented a business case: People would buy a product that they could readily and happily use.”
• Andy Hertzfeld, Software Wizard, Cortland, 2006.09.08. Andy Hertzfeld, an innovative software engineer, loved the Apple II, helped create the original Mac OS, and cofounded Radius, General Magic, and Radius. Today he programs for Google.
• Andy Hertzfeld: Mac truly a better way, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.09.13. A key member of the Mac development team talks about the Mac, personal computing, the power of the network, and the future of free software.

1985

• 1985: Word, Excel, PageMaker, and the LaserWriter, Dan Knight, Mac History, 2009.01.13. Although Apple didn’t introduced any new computers in 1985, there were some very significant developments.
• Apple’s failed BigMac project, Cortland, 2006.11.14. Way back in 1985 Steve Jobs wanted to move the Mac to Unix. The BigMac project failed, but the ideas lived on in the Macintosh II and NeXT Computer.
• The NeXT years: Steve Jobs before his triumphant return to Apple, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2006.12.20. How Steve Jobs stuck with his vision from ouster from Apple through the changing fortunes of NeXT.
• Full circle: A brief history of NeXT, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.07.05. Steve Jobs left Apple in 1985, founded NeXT, developed a powerful object oriented operating system, and saw it become Apple’s modern OS.
• AppleTalk, LocalTalk, and PhoneNet, Adam Rosen, Adam’s Apple, 01.13. Apple’s first networking protocol was AppleTalk, which used LocalTalk cabling or, later on, PhoneNet.
• Dayna MacCharlie. The first solution to bring DOS to Mac users included an 8088 CPU and 5.25″ floppy drive.
• The Amiga story: Conceived at Atari, born at Commodore, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2006.09.01. Conceived by Atari’s Jay Miner as a floppy-based 16-bit game console, the Amiga grew into a powerful video system far ahead of its time – then stagnated

1986

• 1986: Mac Plus, 512Ke, HFS Disks, and the LaserWriter Plus, Dan Knight. In January 1986, Apple introduced the first expandable Macintosh, the Mac Plus, bringing SCSI into play.
• The Mini vMac Mac Plus Emulator, Andrew Conachey, Classic Mac Nostalgia, 2005.11.16. Our newest columnist will be looking at Systems 1-6, ancient software, and emulating older Macs on modern hardware.
• How Jean Louis Gassée Changed the Mac’s Direction, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.06.20. Steve Jobs created the Macintosh as a proprietary, unexpandable information appliance. Gassée saw openness and expandability as essential to the Mac’s survival.
• The Overpriced Mac in 1986-87, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2005.01.11. Comparing the Mac Plus, SE, and II to the 80286 and 80386 PCs of the era.
• My First Mac, a Plus, Shocked Me, Leo Titus LeBron V, Collection Spotlight, 2007.07.18. Going from the world of Windows PCs to a floppy-based Mac Plus provided several pleasant surprises, like booting in just 30 seconds.
• The Mac Plus after 20 Years, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.01.16. The Mac Plus broke Apple’s original mold, offering expandable RAM, SCSI hard drive support, double-sided floppies, and LocalTalk networking.
• The first expandable Macs and portable Macs, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.05.31. 1986-89: Macs gain slots, color, speed, and portability while the last Lisas end up in a landfill.
• The Apple IIGS, Apple’s Home Computer for 1986, Jason Walsh. Believing Apple II users demanded color and would avoid the Macintosh, Apple created a 16-bit version of the popular Apple II computer.

1987

• 1987: The Mac Gains Expansion Slots and Internal Hard Drives, Dan Knight. Apple produced the one-millionth Mac in 1987 and introduced AppleShare, along with the Mac II, which was the first Mac with color.
• The Legendary Apple Extended Keyboard, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2006.10.13. Introduced in 1987, this extended keyboard was well designed and very solidly built. It remains a favorite of long-time Mac users.
• Remembering HyperCard, Manuel Mejia Jr, Triassic Mac, 2003.08.11. Apple’s easy to use, powerful environment for creating media-rich interactive programs is fading away.
• The First Expandable Macs: Mac II and SE, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.03.02. Until March 2, 1987, Macs were closed boxes with no internal expansion slots, no support for color, and no internal hard drives. The Mac II and SE changed all that.

1988

• 1988: LaserWriter II, A/UX, CD-ROM, and Mac IIx, Dan Knight. In 1988 Apple shipped its first Unix, first CD-ROM drive, first high-density floppy drive, the LaserWriter II, and System 6.
• The Apple vs. Microsoft GUI lawsuit, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2006.08.25. In an ironic twist of fate, John Sculley gave away the farm to get Microsoft to develop Word and Excel for the Mac.
• The Joy of Six: Apple’s Fast, Svelte, Reliable, and Still Useful System 6, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2005.12.06. System 6 was small enough to run quickly from an 800K floppy yet powerful enough to support 2 GB partitions, 24-bit video, and the Internet.
• Macintosh IIx: Apple’s Flagship Gains a Better CPU, FPU, and Floppy Drive, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.09.19. In 1988, Apple improved the Mac II by using a Motorola 68030 CPU with the new 68882 FPU. To top it off, the IIx could read DOS disks with its internal floppy drive.

1989

• 1989: Mac SE/30, IIcx, IIci, and Portable, Dan Knight. A watershed year saw the introduction of the SE/30, IIcx, IIci, and Macintosh Portable, as well as portrait and 2-page displays.
• Was the Macintosh IIci the best Mac ever?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 01.19. Introduced in 1989, the Mac IIci was fast, had integrated video, included 3 expansion slots, and could be upgraded in myriad ways.
• The misunderstood Macintosh Portable, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2009.01.19. Often ridiculed for its nearly 16 lb. weight, people forget that the Mac Portable wasn’t designed to be a laptop computer.
• Aggressively Stupid: The Story Behind After Dark, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2007.02.09. Interview with Jack Eastman, the man who dreamed up After Dark and its ubiquitous flying toasters.
• Macintosh Portable, Dan Knight, Second Class Macs, 1998.01.10. At nearly 16 pounds, it was barely portable, but the 10 hour battery was a real plus.
• Macintosh IIci, Best Buys. The first Mac past the 16 MHz mark, the IIci has onboard color video, three NuBus slots, and could be accelerated with cache cards and CPU upgrades.
• The Overpriced Mac in 1989, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2005.01.12. Were the Macintosh SE/30, IIcx, IIci, and Portable overpriced in comparison to the PCs of 1989?

1990

• 1990: The ‘Wicked Fast’ IIfx and the First Consumer Macs, Dan Knight. The year Apple introduced the “wicked fast” Mac IIfx and its first accelerated video card – and then came the first consumer Macs.
• 1990-92: The Windows threat, the next generation Mac OS, and ‘wicked fast’ Macs, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.06.06. Windows outsells the Mac OS, Apple preps System 7 and Pink, 88000-based Jaguar plans killed, the ‘wicked fast’ IIfx, and the even faster Quadras.
• Apple’s Extended Keyboard II: Sequel to a Legend, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2006.10.19. A look at Apple’s slightly smaller Extended II keyboard with slightly softer key action – but still built like a tank.

1991

• 1991: Classic II, First Quadras, and First PowerBooks, Dan Knight. System 7, the Classic II, the first Quadras, and the first generation of PowerBooks.
• Birth of the PowerBook: How Apple took over the portable market in 1991, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.11.23. After the Mac Portable disaster, Apple came up with a new laptop design that redefined the industry and beat Toshiba and Compaq at their own game.
• System 7: Bigger, Better, More Expandable, and a Bit Slower than System 6, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2006.01.04. The early versions of System 7 provide broader capability for modern tasks than System 6 while still being practical for even the lowliest Macs.
• Photoshop History, Matt Pearce, Mac Software Guide, 2008.04.16. An overview of Photoshop for the Mac since 1990.
• Setting Up a Mac Classic II, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.09.07. Fond memories of using a Classic II in elementary school lead to it being the first Mac set up for a month of vintage, very low-end computing.
• PowerBook 100: How Sony Perfectly Miniaturized the 16 Pound Macintosh Portable, Leo Titus LeBron V, Collection Spotlight, 2007.08.08. The PowerBook has the same speed, power, memory capacity, hard drive, and screen resolution at the Mac Portable, but it weighed less than one-third as much.
• The Wonderful PowerBook 100, Heather Anne Hurd, My Turn, 2000.12.11. The PowerBook 100 is a wonderful, useful, portable Mac.
• The Great Old PowerBook 100 and the Death of the PowerBook Name, Joe Rivera, Mac Fallout Shelter, 2006.03.07. Apple introduced the first PowerBooks nearly 15 years ago, including the tiny PB 100. Now they’re killing off the PowerBook name in favor of MacBook.
• Radius Rocket: Far More than a Mac Accelerator, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2005.12.13. The unique Radius Rocket has amazing capabilities but challenges the user to take full advantage of them. Here are three modern options.
• Rocket Science 101, b.b., My Turn, 2000.10.30. Six bucks bought a Mac IIci from the thrift store, but what was inside was a revelation.

1992

• 1992: Performas, Quadras, and PowerBook Duos, Dan Knight. Apple went after consumers with its Performa brand, hit a new level of power with the Quadras, and released its first subnotebooks.
• Star Trek: Apple’s first Mac OS on Intel project, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.06.13. In 1992, Novell approached Apple about porting the Mac OS to Intel’s 486 processor. By year-end, Apple had it running.
• Performa 600 and Macintosh IIvx, Dan Knight, Road Apples. Two of Apple’s most compromised Mac designs came to market in 1992.
• Apple’s Performa line, 1992 to 1997, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.09.14. Apple decided to pursue the average consumer by renaming existing Macs, bundling them with software, and putting its colorful boxes in regular retail outlets.

1993

• 1993: LC III, Color Classic, Centris, Mac TV, and the First Color PowerBook, Dan Knight. Color Classic, LC III, the short-lived Centris line, and Macintosh TV.
• Quadra 660av to the Rescue, Scott Atkinson, Mac Musings, 1999.11.12. How a Quadra 660av saved the day at a New York TV station.
• Treasure Your Quadra 840av, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2001.08.16. Amazing video effects, stunning sound input, amazing SCSI throughput, and other outstanding features of the Quadra 840av.
• Quadra AVs and Some Cool Things You Can Do with Them, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2001.08.10. Thanks to digital signal processors, the Quadra AVs remain useful video machines.
• The Friendly LC 500 Series, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2001.05.18. A look at the compact, friendly, inexpensive LC and Performa 500 series of Macs.
• The LC 520: Still Useful after All These Years, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2002.12.16. Although it shows its age in some ways, it’s still a wonderful word processing and email computer.
• Mac LC III Still a Most Useful Machine, Jeff Gaskill, My First Mac, 2008.07.30. A love affair that will last as long as they make Macs began with a used LC III in 1997, and it’s still being used today.
• 14 Years of Useful Service from a Macintosh LC III, Mark Shipp, My Turn, 2008.02.26. Purchased in 1993, this LC III has been used as a multimedia center, word processing machine, mail server, Internet router, and print server.
• A history of the Color Classic, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.10.31. The first all-in-one Mac with a color display had a bold new look but was crippled on the inside.
• Apple Rolled Out 6 New Macs at Once in February 1993, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2003.02.17. What was Apple thinking introducing six new Macs in February 1993? Looking back at Apple’s broadest product rollout ever.
• Macintosh TV, Dan Knight, Road Apples, 1998.04.11. It sounded good in theory – an all-in-one Mac with a TV tuner. Drawbacks included an 8 MB RAM ceiling and no expansion slot.
• Mac TV: 12 years before the iMac G5 with Front Row, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.10.18. Apple’s first ‘living room’ computer was Macintosh TV, the first Mac with a built-in television tuner.
• The story behind the Newton, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2006.02.07. The people, problems, and events that shaped Apple’s Newton MessagePad.
• Michael Spindler: The Peters Principle at Apple, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2006.04.06. If any Apple CEO demonstrates the danger of moving a qualified employee beyond his abilities, it’s Spindler.

1994

• 1994: Apple DOS Cards, First Power Macs, System 7.5, and IDE Hard Drives, Dan Knight. The first DOS compatible Macs, the first PowerPC Macs, the first Macs with IDE hard drive, and more.
• eWorld: Apple’s overpriced, poorly marketed online service, Cortland, 2006.09.15. Apple’s eWorld was innovative, built communities, and allowed Internet access in 1994, but hardly anyone even knew it existed. And those who did thought it overpriced.
• IBM, Apple, RISC, and the roots of the Power Mac, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.08.01. How IBM’s RISC project became the heart of the Power Mac.

1995

• 1995: Clones, the worst Macs, Pippin, PCI slots, and CPU daughter cards, Dan Knight. The most poorly designed Macs ever, the first licensed Mac clones, Apple’s gaming platform, and new hardware architecture.
• Golden Apples: The 25 best Macs to date, Michelle Klein-Häss, Geek Speak, 01.27. The best Macs from 1984 through 2009, including a couple that aren’t technically Macs.
• Today’s Macs: Many descendants from a common ancestor, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 01.27. The Macintosh legacy as it shows itself in notebooks, consumer desktops, and pro models.
• Apple’s Pippin and Bandai’s @World: Missing the mark(et), Cortland, 2006.09.22 (updated). Intended as a multimedia player to fit between gaming consoles and full-fledged computers, Apple’s Pippin technology just couldn’t carve a niche between two already saturated markets.
• Power Mac and Performa 5200-53xx & 6200-6320, Dan Knight, Road Apples. This series of Mac, begun in 1995, is widely regarded as the worst Mac hardware ever.
• Power Computing: Fighting back for the Mac or stealing Apple’s customers?, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2007.02.20. Power Computing, the first company licensed to sell Macintosh clones, seemed more interested in stealing Apple’s high-end customers than expanding Mac the market.

1996

• 1996: Quad Processor Clones, PowerBook 1400, and the Acquisition of NeXT, Dan Knight. Best. Move. Ever. Apple acquires NeXT and bring back Steve Jobs.
• Beleaguered: Apple bottoms out, 1996 to 1998, Cortland, 2006.09.29. Apple was in a strong position in 1995, but by 1997 the company’s future was in question.
• The Rise and Fall of Gil Amelio at Apple, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.12.21. Gil Amelio came to Apple with a reputation earned by turning around National Semiconductor. Little did he suspect that he would be turned out 500 days later.
• NeXT, OpenStep, and the Triumphant Return of Steve Jobs, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.11.15. Steve Jobs left Apple in disgrace in 1985, created NeXT, and regained control of Apple in 1997.
• The Incredible Transforming PowerBook 1400, Leo Titus LeBron V, Collection Spotlight, 2007.11.07. You can change the look of the PB 1400 with its BookCover, upgrade RAM to 64 MB, add a video card, upgrade to G3, boot from flash memory, and more.
• PowerBook 1400 Still a Favorite Nearly 10 Years On, Heather Anne Hurd, My Turn, 2006.06.07. “Even as I type this, I am amazed by this old PowerBook. It’s keyboard feels great, and I love the 1400’s small form factor.”
• PowerBook 1400 One of the Best PowerBooks Ever, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.07.21. “How embarrassing for me to be so taken my a computer, but I am greatly impressed.”
• What’s a Good, Inexpensive, Useful, Older Mac? The PowerBook 1400, Thomas Ahart, The Productive Mac, 2006.02.01. Relatively compact and not especially heavy, the PowerBook 1400 is a great low-cost way to run the classic Mac OS – and it’s portable.
• PowerBook 1400: Dated and a Bit Slow, It’s Still Very Usable, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.01.06. Apple’s PowerBook 1400 was considered small and quick in 1997. Today it can still be a great little field computer.
• PowerBook 1400: A Very Likable Legacy ‘Book, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2002.05.20. The PB 1400 is a solid machine, a decent performer, and a practical value.

1997

• 1997: Beleaguered, Mac OS 7.6 and 8, Killing Clones, and the First G3s, Dan Knight. Apple bottoms out, and many claimed the company was doomed. Jobs killed clones, Apple began to pull itself back together, and the first G3s shipped.
• Think Different: The Ad Campaign that Restored Apple’s Reputation, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2007.04.09. After Steve Jobs’ triumphant return and before the debut of the iMac, Apple had to do something to change people’s opinion of the beleaguered company.
• Apple Squeezes Mac Clones Out of the Market, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.08.30. Apple started to license the Mac in 1994, the first clones arrived in 1995, and they quickly into Apple’s profitable high-end market.
• Low End Mac’s Compleat Guide to the Kanga PowerBook, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.05.29. The first G3 PowerBook was the world’s fastest laptop computer when it was released – and 2.5x as fast as the PowerBook 3400 that it replaced.
• The Value and Limitations of the Beige G3, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2003.03.03. As used G3 prices plummet, has the beige G3 become a best buy, or are there good reasons to avoid it?
• My Great New Writing Machine: An Old Newton eMate 300, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2007.07.27. The instant-on Newton eMate 300 can be a great writing machine. It can also handle email, browse the Web, and sync to your Mac or Windows PC.
• Mac OS 8 and 8.1: Maximum Size, Maximum Convenience, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2006.09.11. Mac OS 8 and 8.1 add some useful new features and tools, and it can even be practical on 68030-based Macs.
• Gil Amelio: Facts & Speculation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 1997.07.15. Facts and speculation on Gil Amelio’s resignation as Apple CEO.
• Why You Should Use Mac OS 7.6 to Get the Most Out of Vintage Macs, Thomas Ahart, The Productive Mac, 2005.12.12. Although you may be able to run OS 8 or 9 on your old Mac, you’ll generally find better performance using Mac OS 7.6.
• System 7 Today, Advocates of Apple’s ‘Orphan’ Mac OS 7.6.1, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2006.10.26. Why Mac OS 7.6.1 is far better for 68040 and PowerPC Macs than System 7.5.x.
• Hacking Mac OS 7.6.1 so Many Mac OS 8 Apps Will Run, Max Wallgren, Mac Daniel, 2007.10.30. With a little ResEdit work and a second copy of your System Folder, you can run a lot of OS 8 apps with Mac OS 7.6.1.

1998

• 1998: Good-bye Newton; Hello OS 8, WallStreet, and iMac, Dan Knight. Steve Jobs killed off the Newton and introduced the iMac, which got the whole world’s attention.
• 1998: Apple Sells the Sizzle, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 1999.01.04. Looking back at 1998, the year Apple learned to sell the sizzle.
• Bringing a 233 MHz iMac into the Mac OS X Age, Carl Nygren, Classic Macs in the Intel Age, 2008.07.15. Upgraded with 128 MB additional RAM and a larger hard drive, the iMacs was ready for Mac OS X 10.2 ‘Jaguar’ – and runs it very nicely.
• Is the Tray Loading iMac a Good Choice for OS X?, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2004.09.07. With prices starting under US$200, is a tray-loading iMac a good value for running OS X?
• Perfect Timing: The iMac’s Introduction in May 1998, Tamara Keel, Digital Fossils, 2008.05.06. Apple was in dire straits in 1997, but Steve Jobs had a vision for an Internet Macintosh. 10 years ago he unveiled the iMac.
• The iMac Legacy: The G3 Era, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.08.15. 10 years ago, the original iMac went on sale. One of the most popular lines of computers ever, the G3 iMac would be Apple staples for nearly five years.
• Low End Mac’s Compleat Guide to the WallStreet PowerBook G3, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.05.05. Introduced in 1998, the PowerBook G3 had a whole new design, a faster system bus, 2 expansion bays, 2 PC Card slots, and plenty of options.
• How Good a Value Is a Used PowerBook G3 WallStreet?, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2003.03.18. How good a deal is the WallStreet PowerBook under the classic Mac OS – or for running Mac OS X?
• Maxed Out WallStreet Runs Tiger Quite Nicely, Brian Deuel, My Turn, 2008.05.05. It’s no speed demon, but with a 300 MHz CPU, 512 MB of RAM, and a newer hard drive, it’s a cheap way to have a notebook Mac.
• Jaguar on WallStreet: Not as Slow as You Might Think!, Leo Titus LeBron V, Collection Spotlight, 2007.07.11. A 233 MHz PowerBook G3 with 192 MB of RAM and a new hard drive performs quite comfortably with Mac OS X 10.2.x.
• Speeding Up a Beige G3, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2002.10.28. Pumping up an old G3/266 with a faster processor, faster hard drive, and faster drive controller.
• OS X on a Beige G3, Kevin Webb, The Mac Webb, 2002.03.25. The old beige G3/300 handles Mac OS X more comfortably than expected.
• Beige Power Mac G3 a Good Buy, Dan Knight, 2001.09.10. The value of the beige Power Mac G3 in a changing market.
• Newton Becomes History, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 1998.03.02. “The Newton is dead; long live the Mac OS.”

1999

• 1999: Faster iMacs, Smurf and G4 Power Macs, Lombard, and the iBook, Dan Knight. Faster iMacs, a blueberry Power Mac, FireWire, Lombard, the first iBook, the first G4 Power Macs, and Y2K panic.
• Apple’s climb back to success, 1999 to 2001, Cortland, 2006.10.13. From a company with a questionable future in 1997, Apple has become a model of success with new computers, a new operating system, and the iPod.
• Is Running Leopard on a Sawtooth Power Mac G4 Worth Doing?, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 2008.10.27. There are several ways to get Leopard running on an AGP Power Mac G4, but a slow CPU, limited RAM, a slow hard drive, and an old video card can bog it down.
• Looking for a Power Mac G4? Why You Want an AGP Model, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2003.03.06. Why a used Power Mac G4 with AGP video is a much better value than a Power Mac G4 with PCI video.
• Why the Blue and White G3 Is the Workhorse of the Mac World, Leo Titus LeBron V, Collection Spotlight, 2007.10.26. Introduced in January 1999, the blue and white Power Mac G3 was powerful, expandable, and supported all the way through Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’.
• Boomerang: The Blue and White Power Mac G3 That Kept Coming Back, Charles Webb, The Webb Chronicles, 2008.05.08. Over its nine-year lifespan, this Power Mac had at least five owners before it finally gave up the ghost.
• Slot Loading iMacs: The SE/30 for a New Generation, Tamara Keel, Digital Fossils, 2008.05.20. They’re relatively small, pretty quiet, reliable, can run Tiger, and are very affordable nowadays.
• In Praise of the Refreshingly Different Clamshell iBook, Tamara Keel, Digital Fossils, 2008.04.29. After seven years of faithful duty, the rugged notebook with a handle remains a favorite field computer.
• Clamshell iBook Still a Fun and Practical Notebook, Charles Webb, PowerBook Beat, 2006.08.11. ‘Granted, this iBook isn’t a speed demon in any way, but it’s amazing what a 7-year-old Apple notebook can do.’
• The Strong Value of the Lombard PowerBook G3, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2003.03.19. Why the 333 MHz Lombard is a particularly good value in portable computing.
• Low End Mac’s Compleat Guide to Clamshell iBooks, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.04.17. Back in 2000, it was about time to replace the WallStreet PowerBook. Would a clamshell iBook be a better value than a newer PowerBook G3?
• Low End Mac’s Compleat Guide to the Lombard PowerBook G3, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.05.13. With the Lombard PowerBook, Apple abandoned the legacy ADB and serial ports for USB, trimmed 20 percent from WallStreet’s weight, and hit 400 MHz.

2000

• 2000: Pismo, the Cube, Dual Processor G4s, Slot-load iMacs, and New iBooks, Dan Knight. Pismo, iBook SE, the Cube, dual-processor G4 Power Macs, slot-loading iMac, FireWire clamshell iBooks, and Mac OS X Public Beta.
• Picking a Power Mac G4: How Much Mac Do You Need?, Charles Webb, The Webb Chronicles, 2006.03.22. Today’s laptop computers can be great primary computers, but sometimes you need things only a desktop model can offer. A used Power Mac G4 can be a good choice.
• Restoring a Blue and White Power Mac G3 and a ‘Mystic’ Power Mac G4, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.01.30. Both of these Power Macs had been unreliable since they were purchased (second-hand). Patience plus trial and error got them both working reliably with Mac OS 9 and X.
• Hands on the FireWire iBook, Dan Knight, The ‘Book Page, 2000.10.09. How well does the new 366 MHz FireWire iBook perform with its 750cx CPU?
• Low End Mac’s Compleat Guide to the Pismo PowerBook, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.05.20. The first PowerBook with FireWire and AirPort support, Pismo had a great keyboard and lots of connection and expansion options.
• The Cube: Just what we ordered?, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2000.08.11. What is Apple really up to with the Cube?
• Power Macintosh G4 Cube, Dan Knight, Second Class Macs, 2001.07.15. Post mortem: Why the Cube failed.
• This Old Pismo, John Hatchett, My Turn, 2008.01.08. Tips on upgrading a used Pismo for better performance under Mac OS X.
• What a Long Strange Trip Back to Pismo, Kevin Webb, The Mac Webb, 2004.03.29. The 15″ and 12″ G4 PowerBooks were nice, but the old Pismo is the PowerBook that seems just right.

2001

• 2001: OS X, Titanium PowerBook, Spotted iMacs, Faster Power Macs, White iBooks, and the iPod, Dan Knight. ‘Digital Audio’ and ‘Quicksilver’ Power Macs, iTunes, the first G4 PowerBook, Mac OS X 10.0 and 10.1, dual USB iBooks, and the iPod.
• The roots of Apple’s retail stores, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2008.05.19. A big problem for Apple in the late 90s was indifferent big box retailers. Apple’s “store within a store” in CompUSA was just the beginning.
• Origin of the iPod, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2005.10.14. Apple’s most profitable division grew from one man’s vision for a small, easy to use, hard drive-based MP3 player linked to a content delivery system.
• The Future of ‘Quicksilver’ Power Macs in the Age of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.10.08. If the rumored cutoff at 800 MHz or 867 MHz for Leopard is correct, these should be among the oldest Macs supported by Mac OS X 10.5.
• Mac OS X 10.1: The First Mature Version, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.09.25. After several Developer Previews, a Public Beta, and five versions of OS X 10.0, Mac OS X was finally ready for prime time with the release of version 10.1.
• Flower Power: Thinking Too Different?, Dan Knight, iMac Musings, 2001.02.26. Trying to understand what Apple is thinking with the new iMac color schemes: blue Dalmatian and flower power.
• Are the White iBooks Still a Good Bet or Should You Steer Clear of Them?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.08.20. The dual USB iBooks have the worst repair record in Mac history, yet some are exceptionally reliable. Should you consider buying one or avoid them?
• Low End Mac’s Compleat Guide to the Dual USB iBook G3, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.07.01. From a 500 MHz model introduced in May 2001 through 12″ and 14″ 900 MHz G3 iBooks rolled out in April 2003, these iBooks offered unprecedented value.
• Five Pounds of Genius, Michel Munger, 2001.05.07. New iBook an almost incredible combination of strength, small size, good looks, and technology at a good price.
• OS X and the iMac 266, Alan Zisman, 10 Forward, 2001.11.30. Some real trials installing OS X 10.0 on a Revision C iMac – but all is fine now.
• Low End Mac’s Compleat Guide to Titanium PowerBooks, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.04.29. Between January 2001 and November 2002, Apple went through four revisions and eight models ranging from 400 MHz to 1 GHz.
• The Titanium PowerBook, Dan Knight, 1/10/2001. A look at the new PowerBook G4.
• Upgrading a Digital Audio G4 to Work Better in Leopard, Carl Nygren, Classic Macs in the Intel Age, 2008.06.02. In its original configuration, the dual 533 MHz Power Mac G4 was slow with Mac OS X 10.5, but add the right upgrades, and it runs Leopard quite nicely.

2002

• 2002: G4 iMacs, eMac, iPod for Windows, MDD Power Macs, and Mac OS X 10.2, Dan Knight, Macintosh History. Also iPhoto, bigger and faster iBooks, DVI PowerBooks, 20 GB iPods, 1 GHz SuperDrive TiBook, and more.
• Apple’s Top 10 of 2002 – Plus 2 More, Steve Watkins, The Practical Mac, 2002.12.17. Innovative new hardware, faster processors, consumer G4s, and demise of the Dell dude hilight the list.
• Apple’s growing success, 2002 to 2006, Cortland, 2006.10.27. By 2002, Apple was on a solid footing. Since then, the iPod has become even more popular, and now Mac market share is on the climb.
• Mac OS X 10.2 ‘Jaguar’ Can Unleash the Power of G3 iBooks, Carl Nygren, Classic Macs in the Intel Age, 2008.06.17. After pulling a bad stick of RAM, the Dual USB iBook didn’t have enough memory for Tiger or Linux. But even with just 128 MB of RAM, Jaguar did the job.
• Jaguar Joyride, Steve Watkins, The Practical Mac, 2002.09.24. “I have just taken Mac OS X 10.2 (a.k.a. Jaguar) for a spin, and I am impressed. There’s a lot of energy in this cat.”
• Things I Really Like about Jaguar, Dan Knight, 10 Forward, 2003.01.08. Independent windows, the dock, PDF screen capture, faster finds, and better browsing are positive aspects of Mac OS X.
• 12″ G4 iBooks and PowerBooks are Mac netbooks: Cheap and powerful enough, Phil Herlihy, The Usefulness Equation, 02.05. Recent tests comparing a 1.33 GHz G4 iBook and a 1.6 GHz Atom-based netbook show the old Mac holds its own. It also has some advantages.
• The iMac Legacy: After the G3, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.08.15. The G3 iMac influenced the whole industry, but Apple continued to move forward with innovative designs using G4, G5, and Intel processors.
• The Future of G4 iMacs in the Age of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.10.18. Some G4 iMacs are officially supported under Mac OS X 10.5, but some aren’t. Could Leopard run well on 700-800 MHz G4 iMacs?
• The Future of ‘Mirrored Drive Doors’ Power Macs in the Age of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.10.09. Every indication is that the MDD Power Macs will be full supported by Leopard. Here’s what makes them a good bet for OS X 10.5.
• 3 CPU Upgrades for Mirror Drive Door G4 Power Macs, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.05.22. If your Mirrored Drive Doors Power Mac isn’t fast enough, here are three CPU upgrade option to get you to 1.33, 1.6, and 1.8 GHz.
• Boosting an Old Power Mac with NewerTech’s 1.8 GHz G4 Upgrade, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Reviews, 2008.02.01. Got a faithful old Power Mac that’s reliable but feeling sluggish? A brain transplant well beyond the 1 GHz mark can make a world of difference.
• Upgrade the Power Mac or Buy an Intel Mac mini?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.11.30. With 1.8 GHz dual G4 upgrades selling for US$600, it might make more sense to add a Core Duo Mac mini than upgrade the processor.
• Why You Want DVI on Your Flat Panel Display, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2005.03.30. DVI displays tend to have a crisper, more stable, easier on the eyes display, but you may want VGA input as well.
• The Future of eMacs in the Age of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.10.24. Early eMacs aren’t officially supported under Mac OS X 10.5, but Leopard could run well with the right upgrades.
• A Week with an eMac Finds It an Exellent Value, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2003.07.09. Apple’s lowest cost computer acquits itself very nicely in its first week on the job at Low End Mac.
• How to Upgrade Your eMac without Cracking the Case, Jason Packer, Macs in the Enterprise, 2008.07.14. Some people like to replace the components inside their computers, but with FireWire and USB 2.0, Apple has made it easy to upgrade using external drives.
• How to Add Memory, Replace the Hard Drive, and Use a Second Display with Your eMac, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 2005.02.01. Three low-cost ways to upgrade your eMac for better performance and greater flexibility.

2003

• 2003: First OS X Only Macs, iBook G4, Power Mac G5, iMac G5, and Mac OS X 10.3, Dan Knight, Macintosh History. Also the first 12″ and 17″ PowerBooks, 20″ iMac, fastest G3 iBook, 3G iPod, iTunes Music Store, and iTunes for Windows.
• Making the Move from Jaguar to Panther, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.04.11. One advantage of Apple’s ‘no upgrades’ policy for OS X – someone can give you their old copy after upgrading without worrying about violating their license.
• Panther at the Low End, and What to Do with Jaguar, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2003.10.30. How much faster (or slower) is OS X 10.3 on an eMac, iBook, iMac, or PowerBook – and what should you do with your old copy of OS X?
• Is the Panther Upgrade Worth It?, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2003.10.24. Does Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) really offer enough improvements to justify the $129 price?
• Panther Improves Classic, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 2004.02.04. Mac OS 9 isn’t dead. Under Panther the classic envirionment is better than it’s ever been under Mac OS X.
• The Power Mac G5 Value Equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2003.06.24. Apple has turned things on their head when the dual 2.0 GHz machine offers 2.5x the power of the 1.6 GHz model at just 50% more money.
• Apple, Music, and the iTunes Music Store, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2003.05.02. Is the iTunes Music Store a great idea at a great price or is it too limited to really pay off?
• The Future of G4 iBooks in the Age of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.10.22. Almost all of the G4 iBooks are supported by Mac OS X 10.5, but 4200 rpm drives could be a real bottleneck.
• First Impressions of the 14″ iBook G4, Dirk Pilat, Down But Not Out, 2003.11.13. “Apple has managed to produce a machine that combines everything I want from a portable computer with appropriate processor performance for a competitive price.”
• Compleat Guide to the iBook G4, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.07.09. Replacing the G3 iBook in October 2003, the iBook G4 was and remains a value leader until it was replaced by the MacBook in 2006.
• 12″ PowerBook G4 an Improvement over 15″ Titanium in Most Respects, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2003.05.23. Replacing a 15″ 400 MHz titanium PowerBook G4 with a 12″ 867 MHz aluminum PowerBook G4 produces great satisfaction, few regrets.
• Compleat Guide to the 12″ PowerBook, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.06.03. The most compact PowerBook ever is very portable and has enough power to run Leopard decently.
• Compleat Guide to the 15″ PowerBook, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.06.10. The 15″ PowerBook G4 gained speed, better graphics, faster WiFi, and much more with the transition to aluminum.
• Compleat Guide to the 17″ PowerBook, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.06.17. The world’s first 17″ notebook had a spacious 1440 x 900 display, was just an inch thick, and ran at an impressive 1 GHz.

2004

• 2004: iPod mini and photo, faster ‘Books and Power Macs, and the iMac G5. The first aluminum iPod, faster Macs all around, the iMac moved to G5, and Microsoft Office 2004 wowed us.
• iMac G5: Nice System, but at a Nice Price?, Alan Zisman, Low End Mac Reviews, 2004.11.01. The iMac G5 sports some impressive improvements, but the question remains the market. Is it too expensive for the low end yet too compromised for the high end?
• The iMac G5: iPod Success or Cube Fiasco?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2004.09.01. The iMac G5 is undeniably cool and seems to be a good value, but will consumers flock to it or ignore it?
• Microsoft Office 2004 for Macs Does More than Just Match the Windows Version, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2004.07.28. Microsoft’s Mac Business Unit has given Office 2004 users useful features unavailable on any Windows version of Microsoft office.
• With Word 2004, Microsoft Finally Gets Everything Right, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2004.09.24. Previous versions of Word were frustrating for taking notes, but Word 2004’s Notebook feature addresses that – and then some.
• iPod mini a Success Despite Pundits, Stephen Van Esch, Mac Scope, 2004.02.18. Experts declared the iPod mini overpriced, but consumers seem to understand the ‘small is beautiful’ value.

2005

• 2005: Mac mini, Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’, iSight iMacs, Dual-Core Power Macs, Hi-res PowerBooks, and More. Also record profits and sales, PowerBook upgrades, iPod nano and video, and the shocking Intel announcement.
• A history of the iPod: 2005 to present, Tom Hormby and Dan Knight, 2007.09.06. How Apple changed the iPod with flash memory, tiny screens, video support, touch technology, and OS X.
• Is the Mac mini Worth More than a Low Cost DIY Windows PC?, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2005.01.21. If you’re already using a PC, you can probably build a new computer for a lot less than the Mac mini costs, but that doesn’t doom the mini.
• What’s the Minimum Mac for Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.01.22. Today’s Intel-based Macs are great with Tiger, but how old a Mac can you use and still find satisfactory performance?
• Installing Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’ on Unsupported Hardware, Joe Rivera, Mac Fallout Shelter, 2006.01.09. Although Apple doesn’t support it, you can install ‘Tiger’ on the Lombard PowerBook and many other unsupported Macs.
• Installing OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’ on DVD-Challenged Macs Using FireWire Target Disk Mode, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.10. Mac OS X ships on a single install DVD, which Apple will exchange for CDs at $10. But if you have access to a DVD-equipped Mac and a FireWire cable, you’re good to go.
• The Dual-Core Power Mac G5 Value Equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2005.10.21. The newest Power Macs have dual-core CPUs, but how does value compare with the discontinued models?
• The High-Res PowerBook Value Equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2005.10.20. One small tweak on the low-end and some big changes on the high-end, but how does value compare with discontinued models?
• The ‘iSight’ iMac G5 Value Equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2005.10.13. More iMac value than ever, but how do close-out and refurbished prices compare?

2006

• 2006: The Mac Goes Intel, Dan Knight, Macintosh History. The iMac and Mac mini moved to Intel Core Duo CPUs, and the MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro replaced the iBook, PowerBook, and Power Mac.
• Macintel Stumbling Block: Sometimes You Need Classic, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 2006.01.25. As nice as the new Intel Macs seem to be, the lack of any Classic environment makes it impossible for some people to upgrade.
• Computer Benchmarks and Other Baloney: Don’t Expect 2-4x Performance from Intel Macs, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.02.06. The Intel Macs are faster than the models they replace, but only with software written for them. With older software, they’re actually slower than last year’s Macs.
• The MacBook Value Equation: Incredible Value, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.05.16. With a widescreen display, dual-core CPU, fast bus, and $1,099 base price, the MacBook isn’t just a great value – it could gut sales of the 15 inch MacBook Pro.
• The iMac 2006 Value Equation: Intel Changes Everything, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.01.11. The performance gain with Intel’s Core Duo CPU gives the newest iMacs Power Mac Dual performance at iMac prices.
• Core Solo Mac mini, Dan Knight, Road Apples. The only Mac to ever use Intel’s Core Solo CPU was desperately underpowered.

2007

• 2007: Santa Rosa ‘Books, iPhone, Aluminum iMac, and Leopard, Dan Knight, Macintosh History, Dan Knight, Macintosh History. Also the first 8-core Mac Pro, a redesigned iPod nano, and Mac OS X 10.5 on unsupported hardware.
• Using the Aluminum iMac: Color Me Impressed, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.04.22. A MacBook is a wonderful thing, but an iMac with a 20-inch display can really spoil you.
• The iPhone: Is It a Macintosh?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.03.20. Is the iPhone nothing more than the union of iPod and cell phone technology, or does OS X make it a real Macintosh?
• Unsupported Leopard Installation, Dan Knight, 2007.10.31. How to install Mac OS X 10.5 on unsupported hardware – plus field reports.

2008

• 2008: Mac Pro with 4-core Xeon, MacBook Air, Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro, Dan Knight, Macintosh History. Also Time Capsule introduced, Apple TV updated, the iPhone 3G, and the beginning of the end for FireWire.
• MacBook Air Makes a Convert, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 2008.09.24. Apple’s thin, light MacBook Air makes a great field computer for someone who already has a desktop system up and running.
• The October 2008 MacBook Value Equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.10.15. Apple changed the entire MacBook lineup on Tuesday. How do close-out prices compare to the new ones?
• The 2008 Penryn iMac Value Equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.04.29. Comparing prices, features, and performance, three of four new models are value champions, and there are some surprising refurb values as well.
• The 2008 iPod Value Equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.09.10. Apple has redesigned the iPod nano, slimmed down the iPod touch, simplified the iPod classic line, and introduced new colors for the iPod shuffle.

Other Resources

• The Apple Museum
• Apple Corporate Timeline
• History of Apple Computer
• Apple History