Macintosh Classic

Macintosh Plus and SE were successful computers, but many customers ignored Macs because of their high prices. Macintosh computers were just too expensive for small offices or family companies. In 1990 Apple decided to sell a cheap (under $1000) model without new features, but still usable as office machine or teaching aid. Classic was slightly redesigned Macintosh SE, with modified look, SuperDrive 1.44MB floppy disk and (in one of its configurations) internal non-Winchester (voice coil moved) hard drive. Contrary to SE it had no expansion bus, and its processor was, even as in 1990, slow. More, its system architecture made CPU slower than in SE. Classic used a new Macintosh System 6.0.7 OS, and it wasn't fast with it.
With Classics Apple included a new keyboard with ADB replicator inside so using 2 ADB connectors in computer was not needed.


Model No: M1420

Year: 1990
Discontinued: 1992
CPU: Motorola 68000 8MHz
RAM: 4MB
Max. RAM: 4MB
RAM Type: 30-pin SIMMs
Hard disk: 40MB SCSI, 3.5" SL
Floppy drives: 1 1.4M 3.5"
Other drives: None
Graphics: 512x342 monochrome
Sound: 1 8-bit/22kHz speaker
Display: Built-in 9" CRT
Dedicated OS: Mac System 6.07
Maximum OS: Mac System 7.5.5

Expansions: ADB.

Peripherals in collection:
 - ADB keyboard and mouse

Connectors:  - ADB connector for keyboard and mouse
 - External floppy connector
 - External SCSI connector
 - 2 RS-422 serial ports (for printer and modem)
 - Mono Jack sound output.
 
 
 
 
 
 

I bought my unit in Internet auction and I discovered that it comes from a school, but it was not much used and is in good shape.


Interesting facts...

Macintosh Classic, code name XO, was designed to also work as diskless network workstation. Unfortunately Apple used LocalTalk networking which was just a serial port-based network without any sophisticated protocols supporting network boot. to make it working, Apple built a whole System 6.0.7 into computer's 512K ROM. To launch this system, you have to:

1. Press Apple-X-O
2. Power on your Classic.

To proove that you've launched proper OS, select boot device icon and click File->Get Info. In "Where" it should be "Hidden somewhere on this machine..." :).

 


Mac Classic with keyboard and mouse  (source: Bajtek, 1992)

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