Skip to main content
  • Utility Menu
  • Search
Harvard Logo
HARVARD.EDU

Collections Menu
  • Waywiser
  • People
  • Bibliography
  • Exhibitions
  • Thesaurus
  • My Object Lists
  • About
  • Sign in
Advanced Search
  • Home
  • Objects
  • Apple Power Macintosh 7100 personal computer
  • Images (4)

Apple Power Macintosh 7100 personal computer

  • Images (4)

Apple Power Macintosh 7100 personal computer

Date: 1994
Inventory Number: 2000-1-0036a
Classification: Computer
Subject:
electronics, computing,
Maker: Apple Computer Inc. (1976-present)
User: Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, Harvard University (founded 1948)
Cultural Region:
United States,
Place of Origin:
Cupertino,
City of Use:
Cambridge,
Dimensions:
box: 27.5 × 59.3 × 44.8 cm (10 13/16 × 23 3/8 × 17 5/8 in.)
Material:
plastic, metal,
Accessories: labeled brown cardboard box from an identical model; keyboard with built-in connection cable in separate cardboard storage box [see 2000-1-0036b]; desktop mouse with connection cable; black power supply cable; white monitor connection cable; Power Mac user's guide and CD ROM user's guide; instruction manual (in object file)
DescriptionThe computer is stored in its original cardboard box along with desktop mouse, instruction manuals, and cords. The box is rectangular, brown cardboard, opening with flaps on top panel and with an oval shaped handle cut through each side.

The main systems unit of the computer is an off-white plastic rectangular box. There is a ventilation grating cut into the left-hand side of the top panel, with slits parallel to the long edges of the case. There is a 3.5" floppy disc drive above a CD ROM drive on the right side of the front panel. There is a small light underneath the floppy disc drive and a rectangular open/close button underneath the CD ROM drive. On the left side of the front panel is a speaker, constituted of rows of small round holes. Underneath the speaker are two round buttons.

The main system unit contains the core memory, hard drive, mother board and central processing unit. The computer is accompanied by an off-white oval desk top mouse with a connection cord and male connector. There are also two thick connection cords. One is a power cord with one male and one female connection, in black insulation. The other, for connection to a computer monitor, is insulated in off-white plastic and has a male connector at each end, one larger than the other.

Two paper instruction manuals with white covers accompany the computer.
Signedin black text on white label on back panel of main systems unit: Apple Computer, Inc. / Cupertino, California / Assembled in U.S.A. / Model Number: M2391 / FCC ID: BCGM3641 / © 1994 Apple Computer, Inc. All right reserved 825-3046-A

in black text on left hand side of front main systems unit panel: Power Macintosh / 7100/80

in grey text next to disc drive on front main systems unit panel: Power PC

in white letters on a red label on side of cardboard storage box: Power PC

in white letters on side of cardboard storage box: Power Macintosh 7100

in white and yellow letters on round purple sticker on side of cardboard storage box: NEW! / Includes Macintosh / System 7.5

in red and black letters on white manual cover: AppleCD 300i Plus / User's Guide

in red letters on white manual cover: Power Macintosh / User's Guide
Inscribedprinted in black lettering on a white label attached to front panel of main systems unit: CHSI 3

hand-written in black ink in top left hand corner of each manual: CHSI #3 of 3
FunctionThe Power Macintosh 7100 is a re-programmable, electric, digital, stored-program personal desktop computer which is usually used to perform repetitive computations (as opposed to following a single long list of instructions). As such, its function is extremely variable and flexible. This particular device, however, was used by the staff of the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments for cataloguing, data processing, and researching purposes.
Click here for a complete description of the Power Macintosh 7100. Macintosh's outline of the Power Macintosh 7100's technical specifications is available here.

The mouse is a manual input device through which users communicate with the computer. Mice are central to the WIMP interface infrastructure of most personal computers (windows, icons, (dropdown) menu, pointing device). They translate the two-dimensional motion of a user's hand onto the computer monitor. By clicking on icons and menus users are able to control many of the computer operations.
Click here for a description of mice and here for a description of WIMP interface protocol.
Historical AttributesPurchased by CHSI on 8/8/95. Retired in summer of 2000. This is one of three identical computers purchased together.
Curatorial RemarksStorage box does not correspond to this computer but to one of two other identical computers used by the CHSI.
Instruction manual is in object file and has not been scanned.
ProvenanceFrom the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, Harvard University.

Choose Collection

Create new collection

facebook iconTwitter Logo

_______________________________
Join Our Mailing List I Contact
_______________________________
The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments
Science Center, Room 371 • 1 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 •chsi@fas.harvard.edu
p. 617-495-2779 •
f. 617-496-5794
_______________________________
The CHSI is one of the

HMSC Logo

Exhibition Hours

The Putnam Gallery
(Science Center 136):
Monday through Friday, 11a.m. to 4p.m.


The Special Exhibitions Gallery
(Science Center 251):
Monday through Friday, 9a.m. to 5p.m.


The Foyer Gallery
Closed for Installation.

All galleries are closed on University Holidays.

Admission is free of charge.
Children must be escorted by an adult.

Admin Login
OpenScholar
Copyright © 2017 The President and Fellows of Harvard College | Privacy | Accessibility | Report Copyright Infringement

Choose Collection

Create new collection