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 Macintosh 512K personal computer

Apple Macintosh 512K personal computer

Apple Macintosh 512K personal computer

Date: circa 1985
Inventory Number: 2003-1-0112a
Classification: Computer
Subject:
electronics, computing,
Maker: Apple Computer Inc. (1976-present)
Cultural Region:
United States,
Place of Origin:
Cupertino,
Dimensions:
34.7 × 24.6 × 27.6 cm (13 11/16 × 9 11/16 × 10 7/8 in.)
Material:
glass, plastic, metal, magnet, phosphor,
Accessories: keyboard (2003-1-0112b)
DescriptionApple computer encased in a beige plastic rectangular box. The main systems unit and computer monitor are combined in a single unit. A square 22.5 cm charcoal-colored monitor is centered near the top of the box. Monitors of this kind are cathode ray tubes like televisions used to be. The tube is made of glass, with a glass panel covering the front. The back of the front panel is coated in phosphorous. There is a vacuum in the tube. At the back of the tube is an electron gun which fires out electrons. Electromagnets are used to bend the trajectories of the electrons so that they hit particular parts of the front panel, causing the phosphorous to light up and display information on the screen.

There is a 9cm floppy disc drive with plastic flap in the bottom right-hand corner of the front panel. The bottom strip of the front panel recedes, creating an indented panel. There is a cable jack, also serving as a keyboard connection jack, at the rightmost end of this indented panel. There is a monitor brightness adjustment control at the leftmost end of the indented panel.

Along the bottom of the back panel of the computer case are four SCSI cable connection ports and one headphone jack. A power cord socket and a power switch are stacked along the right edge of the back panel. A power cord with three pronged connector in grey insulation accompanies the computer. A small panel of ventilation slits is cut into the top right-hand corner of the back panel.

There is a plastic handle carved into the top panel of the computer case.
Signedraised plastic on back panel of computer: [rainbow apple logo] [in white] Macintosh [in red] 512K

printed in black on label on back panel of computer: Apple Computer, Inc. / Cupertino, California 95014 / Made in U.S.A. / Model Number / M0001W / 512K / FCC ID: BCG9GRM0001 / Certified to comply with Class 13 limits. Part / 15 of FCC Rules. See Instructions if inter / ference to radio reception is suspected. / This product complies with DHSS Rules 21 / CFR Subchapter J applicable at date of / manufacture. / UL Listed / Office Equip. / 126Z SA / Apple and the Apple / logo are registered trademarks of / Apple Computer, Inc. / 120 VAC / 50 - 60 Hz / 1 Amp / 60 W.
Inscribedprinted in black on label on back panel of computer: Caution / Warning / To prevent electrical shock, do not / remove cover. No user serviceable / parts inside. Refer servicing to / qualified service personel.
FunctionThe Macintosh 512K personal computer 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. The specific use of this machine is unknown.

Click here for a complete description of the Macintosh 512K. Macintosh's outline of the Macintosh 512K technical specifications is available here.

Relationships

See also/See also
View all

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