How Mac has changed over time | iStore Online
Whether your Mac has Retina display or not, is 12” or 13”, or weighs under 1kg or just over, you’re using a device that has millions of loyal fans around the world, and a creative and innovative history that started in 1984, when the first Mac was introduced. It was probably the most anticipated personal computer release ever, and its evolution over the last 32 years has resulted in devices that are fast, slick, powerful and beautiful.
They say that once you go Mac, you can’t go back, and it’s amazing to think that it was once the first computer with a mouse, and now is considered the best in the game in terms of design, security, usability, support and customer happiness.
Here’s a look at the Mac over the years:
80s
The original Apple Macintosh personal computer was released on January 24, 1984.
The Macintosh 512K, released in September 1984, was identical to the previous Mac, but with quadrupled built-in memory, earning it the nickname “Fat Mac.”
Apple released the Macintosh Plus in January 1986. This model was the longest-produced in Mac history and included an SCSI port so that users could plug in external devices like hard disks, tape drives or printers.
The Apple IIGS was released at the end of 1986. Technically, it wasn’t a Mac, but is still interesting because Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak put his signature on the first 50,000 units.
In 1987, the Apple Macintosh II became the first Mac to support a colour display. It also had a second floppy disc drive.
The Macintosh Portable, released in September 1989, was Apple’s first battery-powered personal computer. It weighed more than 7kg.
90s
As a revolutionary follow-up to the Portable, Apple released the PowerBook 100, 140, and 170 models in 1991. They were much lighter than their predecessor and generated more than $1 billion in revenue for Apple in the first year.
The colourful iMac G3 launched with its translucent case in 1998. It was the first consumer-facing Apple product released after Steve Jobs returned to the company as the CEO.
2000s
People hailed the titanium-bodied PowerBook G4 (introduced in 2001) for its modern design, long battery life and processing power.
The 2002 iMac G4 was nicknamed the “iLamp” owing to its design. The floating LCD monitor was adjustable.
In 2005, the Mac Mini was the first Macintosh desktop to ship without a monitor, keyboard or mouse. Apple was going after people ready to make the switch from Windows who already owned monitors.
Apple’s first MacBook was launched in 2006. It came in white or black plastic and is the best -selling Macintosh in history.
When people first learned about the MacBook Air in 2008, the big talking point was that it could fit inside a manila envelope. The first edition didn’t sell well, but when it was updated in 2010, it was a hit.
In 2012, Apple released a gorgeous new iMac with an ultra-thin profile. The back of the screen tapers to just 5mm.
In 2014, Apple released its MacBook Pro that runs 90% faster than its predecessor thanks to an Intel chip.
In 2015, the MacBook was launched, the lightest and most compact Mac notebook ever, at 13.1mm thin, and weighing 0.9kg.
Till today, there has been many new revolutionary Macs, with the lastest Apple release of the MacBook Pro M2 in 2023.
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