The First Apple Macintosh Computer

The very first model of Macintosh computer systems sold by Apple was the Macintosh 128K, released during the mid-1980s. The 128K was a compact integrated unit containing the display, disk drive, and internal parts (processor, memory, etc.) within the same housing.

According to wikipedia.org, the Macintosh 128K was just referred to as the "Apple Macintosh" at first, but was renamed after the second Macintosh computer (the 512K) became available. Its name refers to the amount of memory (RAM) it has, one-hundred and twenty-eight kilobytes. Wikipedia also indicates that the 128K features a 3.5" 400KB (about 0.4MB) capacity disk drive, a nine-inch black & white display, and a Motorola processor running at 8 MHz. Modern 3.5" computer disk drives use disks with a 1.44MB capacity, or about 3.6 times more.

The first Apple Macintosh appeared on the cover of Byte magazine in early 1984 (see magazine cover), along with its keyboard and mouse. The Apple web site still provides specifications for the 128K; it indicates that the maximum power wattage it uses is 60 watts (very low, especially considering that it has a built-in monitor), its screen displays at a resolution of 512 x 342 pixels, and Apple stopped manufacturing it at the beginning of October, 1985. It also states that Apple support for the computer ended in September, 1998, about fourteen years after it was first introduced.

According to mac512.com, the Apple Macintosh 128K was priced at $2495 when it first became available for purchase, came with a graphical user interface, had built-in audio capability, and could be connected to a Local Area Network (LAN). It also mentions that (although the 128K is capable of using a modem) it is difficult or impossible to connect to the internet, despite still being useful for some non-internet purposes.

It is still possible to purchase a working Macintosh 128K computer, but they are fairly expensive at present. Taking a look at recently completed auction listings on eBay.com, a 128K with no operating system sold for about $76, and another unit with several accessories (numeric keypad, mouse, keyboard, external disk drive) went for $160.50 dollars, plus shipping & handling.

Apple went on to introduce many additional models in the Macintosh computer line, including the Performa, Quadra, MacBook, and others. Additional home computers which were available during the same time period included the IBM PCjr, the Amiga 1000, the Commodore 128, and the first Tandy 1000 model.

Sources:
1. Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh_128K
2. Apple, http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=112162
3. Mac512, http://www.mac512.com/macwebpages/128k.htm
4. eBay, http://www.ebay.com/