Compact Macintosh

The Macintosh 128K introduced the Compact Macintosh case style

"Compact Macintosh" or "Classic Macintosh" ^[1] are informal terms that refer to the direct descendants of the original Macintosh personal computer case design by Apple Computer, Inc. All of them are all-in-one desktop computer designs with the display integrated in the computer case, but not the keyboard. These terms are only used for the models using the case style of the original Macintosh sold between 1984 and the mid-90s - later, larger all-in-one models like the Macintosh LC 500 series, the Macintosh Performa 5xxx series or the iMac are not usually called "Compact" and definitely not "Classic". The Apple Lisa-derived Macintosh XL is a borderline case, and is included by Apple in their "Classic" spec page, but not counted among the Compact range by others.

Apple divides these models into five form factors: The Macintosh 128K and the very similar Macintosh SE, the also similar but already "retro" Macintosh Classic (all of them with a 9" black and white screen), the modernized Macintosh Color Classic with a 10" color screen and the very different Macintosh XL.

Models

The SE, designed along Snow White guidelines.

The Classic II, similar to the 128K.

The Color Classic with its modernized case.

*220V international models are appended with the letter "P" (e.g. M0001P)

Timeline of compact Macintosh models

See also: Timeline of Apple Macintosh models

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Compact Macintoshes

• All-in-one desktop computer
• other all-in-one Macintoshes:
  • Macintosh Portable, technically a portable, but its size and weight make it more of a desktop.
  • Macintosh TV
  • Macintosh LC & Performa, models 520, 550, 575, 580, 5200, 5260/5300, 5400 and Power Macintosh 5500
  • Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh
  • Power Macintosh G3, all-in-one (AIO) model
  • iMac
  • eMac
• other all-in-one computers:
  • Commodore PET
  • Intertec Superbrain

Notes

• ^  The name "Classic Macintosh" is widespread, but somewhat confusing because some (but not all) specific models in the series were called "Macintosh Classic", and also because of the "Classic" software environment in Mac OS X, which has a much wider scope.

References

• Compact Macs Index and Compact Macs Guide at lowendmac.com
• AppleSpec database for "Classic" models at apple.com
• Macintosh "Classic" Series at everymac.com (also includes the Macintosh TV, which is more closely related to the LC 5xx family)

External links

• The Vintage Mac Museum: Compact Mac -9inch/mono Display 68000-