The Macintosh 128K holds a landmark place in computing history as the first mass-market personal computer to feature a graphical user interface, which revolutionised user interaction with computers by making them accessible beyond specialists to the general public. Its all-in-one design, memorable 9-inch monochrome display, and the iconic introduction of the Mac OS with its mouse-driven GUI exemplify a turning point in design philosophy and usability. Its claim to fame lies in popularising the concept of intuitive, user-friendly computing, influencing generations of subsequent computer interfaces, though it had modest commercial success initially due to its high price and limited memory by later standards.
Manufacturer: Apple Computer Inc.
Model: 128k (original Macintosh) number: M0001
Released: 1984
Type: All-in-one desktop computer
Cost at release: CAD ~$8,500 (adjusted for inflation)
MIPS: 0.5 (500 KIPS)
Hardware Specifications
CPU: Motorola 68000 running at 7.8336 MHz (effective 6 MHz)
RAM: 128 KB built-in (maximum upgradeable to 512 KB by authorized resellers)
ROM: 64 KB containing parts of the operating system
Storage: 3.5-inch 400 KB floppy disk drive (no internal hard drive)
Display: 9-inch built-in monochrome CRT with a resolution of 512 x 342 pixels
Graphics: 1-bit (black and white) display
Ports: Two DE-9 serial ports (one typically for printer, one for modem), and one DE-9 port for the mouse
Sound: 8-bit mono sound output (single speaker)
Operating System: System 1.0 (later Mac OS versions up to 3.2 supported)
Weight: Approximately 16.5 pounds (7.5 kg)
Operating System & Programming Languages
O/S: System 1.0
Programming Languages: Object Pascal (the main language used by Apple for Mac development in the early years) and assembly language for the Motorola 68000 CPU. Later on, C and Basic were also available via third-party development tools.
Notables
First successful mass-market personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI)
Pivotal in popularising the mouse and GUI paradigm that shaped modern computing interfaces
First personal computer to use the 3.5-inch floppy disk drive format
First Mac to establish desktop publishing as a general office function
The $1.5 million advertisement, based on George Orwell’s novel, is considered one of the greatest commercials of all time and a watershed moment in advertising
Generated $150 million in computer sales within 100 days
Model number: M0001 (US) and M0001P (Europe)
Originally had no name printed on the front of the case, just “Macintosh” on the rear
Sold 70,000 units by May 3, 1984, then sales plummeted due to limited RAM
Had no internal fan, leading to overheating issues
