Macintosh 128K
Macintosh 128K
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Codename | |
---|---|
Also known as | |
Developer | Apple Inc. |
Manufacturer | Apple Inc. |
Product family | |
Type | Personal computer |
Generation | |
Release date | January 24, 1984 |
Availability | |
Lifespan |
The Macintosh 128K, originally released as the Apple Macintosh, was the first personal computer released by Apple Inc. in the Macintosh line. It was introduced on January 24, 1984, and was notable for its graphical user interface, which was a significant departure from the command-line interfaces of its contemporaries.
Development[edit | edit source]
The development of the Macintosh 128K began in the late 1970s, spearheaded by Jef Raskin, an Apple employee who envisioned an easy-to-use, affordable computer for the average consumer. The project gained momentum when Steve Jobs took over and refocused the project on a graphical user interface, inspired by the work done at Xerox PARC.
Hardware[edit | edit source]
The Macintosh 128K was powered by a Motorola 68000 microprocessor running at 7.8336 MHz. It had 128 KB of RAM, which was considered modest even at the time of its release. The computer featured a 9-inch monochrome display with a resolution of 512 × 342 pixels, which was integrated into the same case as the CPU and floppy disk drive.
The system included a single 400 KB 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, which was a new technology at the time, offering greater reliability and storage capacity compared to the 5.25-inch floppy disks used by many other computers.
Software[edit | edit source]
The Macintosh 128K ran the System Software 1.0, which included the Finder, a file management system, and several applications such as MacPaint and MacWrite. These applications demonstrated the capabilities of the graphical user interface, allowing users to interact with the computer using a mouse and icons rather than text commands.
Impact[edit | edit source]
The introduction of the Macintosh 128K marked a significant shift in the personal computing industry. Its graphical user interface set a new standard for ease of use, influencing the design of future operating systems, including Microsoft Windows. The Macintosh also popularized the use of the mouse as an input device.
Despite its innovative design, the Macintosh 128K faced challenges due to its limited memory and lack of software at launch. However, it laid the groundwork for future Macintosh models and established Apple as a leader in personal computing.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
The Macintosh 128K is remembered as a pioneering product that introduced many users to the concept of a graphical user interface. It is often celebrated for its design and the impact it had on the computer industry.
Also see[edit | edit source]
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