| Description | |
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer Corporation |
| Model | Macintosh |
| Date Announced | January 22, 1984 |
| Date Canceled | 1985 (although the Macintosh line continues today) |
| Number Produced | Hundreds of thousands |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Price | $2,500 |
| Current Value | $100 to $1,000 depending on condition, etc. |
| Specifications | |
| Processor | Motorola 68000 |
| Speed | 8 MHz |
| RAM | 128 KB |
| ROM | 64 KB |
| Storage | Built in Floppy Drive (400K 3.5") Optional external 3.5" floppies Drive |
| Expansion | None |
| Bus | None |
| Video | 512 x 364 monochrome |
| I/O | Parallel, Serial |
| OS Options | MacOS |
| Notes | The Macintosh was the first in the long line of Mac machines that still exists today. It was introduced with the specifications above but quickly upgraded to include more RAM and better storage options. |
| Related Items in Collection Apple II, Apple II Plus, Apple III Computer, Apple Lisa 2 | |
| Related Items Wanted | A better example, original software, etc. |
During the 1970s the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) was an amazingly productive think-tank which conceptualized and created much of the technology that we are familiar with today. Things like the laser printer, for instance, originated at PARC. The Graphical User Interface was also first developed there.
In the early 1980s both Apple and Microsoft toured PARC and were inspired by the GUI technology they saw there. Xerox had produced the Alto and later the Star GUI based computers with little market success. Microsoft borrowed heavily from PARC to create the first version of Windows which was released to the general public late in 1983. Apple entered the GUI marketplace early in the same year with the original Apple Lisa.
A competing development project at Apple produced the Macintosh which shared many Lisa attributes but which was, in the end, a completely different machine. The Macintosh was a "people's computer" designed to be inexpensive and easy to use.
Ultimately the concepts that the Macintosh brought to market took hold and brought a new era in computing, as envisions by PARC, to reality.
The Macintosh in my collection is, hopefully, merely a placeholder machine. It is complete but non-functional - it boots to a "sad Mac" screen. It is also cursed with a security lock that has trapped the broken parts inside until I can figure out how to remove it without doing significant damage to the machine.
The logo says "Macintosh" which means that this is an original machine and not the later Macintosh 128.
(Submitted September 17, 2009 14:23:27 by Philip xiong)
I am looking for a keyboard and mouse for 1985 Apple Computer. If you have one or know where I can find one, please email me. Thanks
(Submitted September 9, 2009 17:14:39 by (a href=mailto:)linuxlove(/a))
Kaira, you should keep that Mac as a collectible.
(Submitted August 1, 2009 17:05:38 by Kaira)
I have an original signed 1984 Apple Macintosh. Any Ideas what is is worth - I might want to sell.
(Submitted July 14, 2009 02:17:28 by Elliott Hill)
I repaired the Early Apples (IIe,lisa,128,512,plus,SE) in an Apple dealers shop. It was interesting keeping up with all the Apple Part Revisions. The Mac power supply was poorly designed, it had a low power SCR and would fail a lot. (white line on screen). Our first fix method was the MAC-SLAP, a hard slap on the right side of the case, sometimes worked. Not all compact Mac cases are Signed, Only the early ones. not the SE, Classic.
(Submitted June 2, 2009 13:53:43 by Lukas)
has anyone a old Macintosh i m interested an would like to buy one pls send me a e-mail
(Submitted May 22, 2009 09:21:58 by (a href=mailto:)linuxlove(/a))
Erik, could you provide pictures of the acursed security lock? Someone around might know how to open it without messing up the case.
(Submitted December 20, 2008 14:43:28 by scott)
Im looking for some sytem discs for an original 1984 macintosh i recently bought. Anyone have some to sell?? seosg@comcast.net
(Submitted October 23, 2008 15:48:42 by TechWizard86)
I currently want to part with a Mac Classic II..it isn't working *boots to a screen with black and white stripes* but maybe someone will be able to restore it...I can send it as i no longer have a need for it. Email me at omega0_0@hotmail.com and we may be able to arrange its long needed departure.
(Submitted September 22, 2008 15:49:45 by linuxlove)
Paul, you should keep that Mac! Maybe you should make a video of it and post it on youtube! Some people (Including myself) would love to see an old mac like that!
(Submitted August 25, 2008 17:00:35 by Erik)
Rich - all of the original Mac's (with Macintosh on the label per the pic above) were signed units. The signatures are part of the mold used to make the case back.
(Submitted August 25, 2008 16:23:24 by rich)
Is there a way to tell using serial number on the original mac if it a signed case?? I have to very eary ones in the box with all the stuff.
(Submitted August 21, 2008 17:48:03 by Paul)
I have an original Macintosh, but it is a Pre-release unit. That is there is a sticker on it that states that it has not yet passed the FCC tests. It also is void of any product label on the back. It does have the signatures inside the case, and runs the original OS v0.1, pre SSW 1. Any idea at all what this puppy would be worth?
(Submitted August 5, 2008 13:51:39 by c)
Im looking for a macintosh plus 1MB with a keyboard, mouse printer, hard drive and original software (like macpaint and macwrite.) and games. If any one has one, I will buy it for $25
(Submitted July 27, 2008 19:19:28 by John)
I have a Mac Classic the back of yjcase is Dated 1991 I have the Original Key board and mouse its a 1 button mouse I have some software for it and blank floppy discs
(Submitted July 16, 2008 14:48:41 by Ekim)
Check Smallmart.nl if somebody wants a cheap Apple classic
(Submitted April 2, 2008 08:13:19 by Kendall Seabury)
Hi, i am looking for a Macintosh 512k condition is not an issue as long as it work. it would be good if it came along with the keyboard and mouse. if you have software thats would be good to!!
(Submitted January 18, 2008 03:18:46 by (a href=mailto:)Jon(/a))
The Macintosh 128K is a little different than the original Macintosh.It has different 400k drive electronics and a slightly different ROM. I have 2 original Macs(both work) pre 6000 series with 1983 logic boards
(Submitted December 16, 2007 22:13:51 by John)
I have 1 and maybe two original Macintosh Classics new in their original box. We never used them and let them set in their packaging. I would be interested in selling them for a modest price.
(Submitted October 29, 2007 05:51:07 by aro)
Hulloif anybody is interested in my 19197 mac monitor and key board please email me. The Model number is M2978. I shall gladly donate it. All you need to do is pay for the shipping. I live in India
(Submitted October 29, 2007 05:52:53 by aro)
Hullo if anybody is interested in my 1997 mac monitor and key board please email me. The Model number is M2978. I shall gladly donate it. All you need to do is pay for the shipping. I live in India
(Submitted October 26, 2007 09:49:38 by Jay)
I'm looking to purchase a Mac, any type, running System 7.0 or 7.1.
(Submitted October 24, 2007 19:04:16 by Sharad)
I am looking for either an 128k or a 512k. One of the initial models for a museum exhibit. Condition is not an issue--it will just be on display. It would be nice if it came with all the pieces (mouse and keyboard) and better if it included other parts, but not necessary. It's just for representation of what the earlist Mac looked like.
(Submitted September 25, 2007 08:17:02 by ken edwards)
I have an original mac 128( upgraded to 512), printer, 10 meg hard drive, carry case, mac paint & wrie, mutiliplan and etc. Everything is in excellent shape and all work. I would like to sell entire collection.
(Submitted September 25, 2007 06:46:03 by Craig)
I have a MAC SE that still works...has been sitting in the closet for years and I would be willing to part with it... likely have some of the original disks as well if I look hard enough
(Submitted September 9, 2007 13:36:22 by Eddie Mendoza)
I have a 1987 Macintosh Plus 1 Mb. It is in excellent condition and starts up, but I don't have the original Keyboard. Does anyone know what this is worth?
(Submitted September 8, 2007 12:08:42 by Chris Smith)
Hello, I'm looking for a complete functional early Mac with macpaint, macwrite, etc. for educational purposes (a graphic design history class). Thanks – Chris
(Submitted August 22, 2007 19:17:04 by John)
i have one of these i also have several old computers and they all work
(Submitted May 17, 2007 20:52:49 by Bax)
Windows afaik didn't come out till 1985 - not released to the general public late in 1983 as you claim. Apple were well ahead of MS in GUI introduction with the Lisa in '83. :)
(Submitted May 1, 2007 16:33:54 by (a href=mailto:)Ian(/a))
Actually the original Macintosh and the Macintosh 128k were the same.
(Submitted April 28, 2007 20:31:13 by Gregoire Dave)
I have a Macintosh PowerBook 170 real good shape looking for software for it thanks Dave
(Submitted April 24, 2007 14:56:51 by LAURA)
i am desperately looking for a oregon Trails game on a 5.25 inch floppy disc. if anyone has one, i will pay $75 for it.. Please help! charleygirl1215@hotmail.com
(Submitted April 11, 2007 16:08:19 by Rick Scudder)
I bought a Mac in April 1984. The last time I checked it, it ran fine. I have the original programs, and have it stored in a carrying case. I have several other Macs and a Mac clone up and running right now. The only thing I disposed of what the serial printer which died a long time ago.
(Submitted April 11, 2007 14:57:23 by Elizabeth Paden)
I have a Macintosh Plus 1 Mb. It is in excellent condition and starts up, but I don't have the floppy necessary to actually run it. I have the original Keyboard, Mouse, and the Apple 800K External Drive. I, also, have the original Carrying Case and LoDown Hard-Disk and Tape Back- Up that was used with it. Do you have an idea how much this antique is worth??
(Submitted April 11, 2007 14:57:17 by Elizabeth Paden)
I have a Macintosh Plus 1 Mb. It is in excellent condition and starts up, but I don't have the floppy necessary to actually run it. I have the original Keyboard, Mouse, and the Apple 800K External Drive. I, also, have the original Carrying Case and LoDown Hard-Disk and Tape Back- Up that was used with it. Do you have an idea how much this antique is worth??
(Submitted April 11, 2007 14:27:06 by Mike Livingstone)
I have a Mac 512K that was my first real computer. I still have the original manuals, software and manuals for the MacPaint & MacWrite. Would a collector be interested in this? I should add this computer was bought in Canada.
(Submitted April 10, 2007 21:02:19 by Gary C)
I have one with carrying case in my parents basement, that was subsequently upgraded with an external 800K floppy drive and 512K of RAM.
The original 128K mac introduced in 1984 was subsequently known as a Thin Mac. It was later introduced with a badly needed 512K RAM upgrade as the Fat Mac. The thin version was barely usable and would crash often. Later on the Mac+ was introduced with 1M of RAM, a SCSI port, and a dual side 800K drive. (But still no internal drive)
(Submitted April 10, 2007 17:13:02 by Bob)
Well, technically, the machine IS a Macintosh 128, but at the time, there was no other model, so there was no need to differentiate it from others. Your comment implies that there was a later model called the Mac 128 that was somehow different.