mjohnson@Apple.COM (Mark B. Johnson) (09/20/89)
Apple Unveils Two New Macintosh Computers: Macintosh Portable and Macintosh IIci UNIVERSAL CITY, California--September 20, 1989--Apple Computer, Inc. today added portability and even more power to its Macintosh product family by announcing the Macintosh Portable and the Macintosh IIci. The Macintosh Portable is a full-function Macintosh in a portable design. The Macintosh IIci is a high-performance version of Apple's popular Macintosh IIcx. Running at 25 MHz and offering new capabilities such as built-in video, the Macintosh IIci is the most powerful Macintosh that Apple has ever developed. "With this announcement, Macintosh becomes the only comprehensive product family in the industry to offer users consistent personal computing," said Jean-Louis Gassee, president of Apple Products. "This means all Macintosh customers have a sweeping range of hardware and application choices--and they're all based on a single, unified software architecture. Perhaps most important, it means that more and more people can find a Macintosh to fit their individual needs." Macintosh Portable The Portable incorporates all traditional Macintosh benefits into a system that customers can take with them. Notably, the Portable features advanced screen technology, sophisticated power management, all-in-one design, and complete Macintosh compatibility. "When we started developing the Macintosh Portable, we set two design challenges: First, it had to be a complete Macintosh; Second, it had to be truly portable." said Gassee. "This meant no compromises. And it required integrating innovative display and power technologies. Our new Portable meets those design criteria: it's a Macintosh through and through. Now our customers can have Macintosh personal computing anywhere." Advanced screen technology The Portable uses state-of-the-art Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display technology to achieve the superior graphic capabilities of the Macintosh. This technology enables the Portable to depict the Macintosh graphical user interface, as well as sophisticated graphics, text, and animation with a fast response time, high contrast, and wide viewing angle. The Portable's display size is 640-by-400 pixels, which is 50 percent larger than a Macintosh SE screen and as wide as a letter-size page. The system also features a video output port. This port can be used with an adapter to drive external monitors, projection video systems or overhead viewplates. Portability Macintosh portability is achieved through sophisticated power management circuitry and an all-in-one design. The system's power management components include: - Motorola CMOS 68000: Apple chose the CMOS (complementary metal oxide silicon) 68000 microprocessor from the same Motorola family of micro- processors as those found in all Macintosh personal computers. The CMOS 68000 requires 80 percent less power than standard technology chips. It runs at 16 MHz, providing roughly twice the performance of the Macintosh SE. - Low-power-consumption RAM: The Macintosh Portable contains 1MB of static RAM, which consumes less power than standard dynamic RAM (DRAM). It allows users to work for long periods between battery charges and retains the contents of memory when the system is in sleep mode. - Lead acid batteries: The Portable uses lead acid batteries, which last from 6 to 12 hours (depending on usage and configuration) and can be recharged to full capacity at any time. The voltage of a lead acid battery diminishes gradually as power is used, enabling the computer to provide users with information about the power level. A battery Desk Accessory shows a meter that indicates the charge level left in the battery, much like a fuel gauge. Messages alert users when power is running low. - Separate power management microprocessor: This dedicated microprocessor monitors the activity of each component of the Portable. The Power Manager optimizes power allocation and automatically puts the system into a standby "rest" mode or into a "sleep" mode if the system has been inactive for a preset period as specified by the user. During the rest mode the system operating speed decreases from 16 MHz to 1 MHz. In the sleep mode the power to most components is turned off. Memory contents are retained in both rest and sleep modes. The Portable's Instant-On feature allows customers to wake up the system by simply pressing any key on the keyboard. The following features comprise the system's all-in-one design: - Integrated pointing devices: The system's integrated trackball and full-size keyboard make it easier for customers to set-up, pack-up, configure and use. The system's trackball can be positioned for left- or right-handed users. It can also be replaced by a numeric keypad. The Portable can also be used with a low-power mouse that is included with the system. - Rugged design: The Macintosh Portable is constructed to withstand the bumps and bangs of everyday use. It is made of rugged polycarbonate plastic, a material also used in motorcycle helmets. SuperDrive floppy disk drive and the optional 40MB hard disk are specially designed to ensure durability. - System expansion: The Portable has expansion connectors for additional RAM and ROM. It also has a connector for an internal modem. Apple today also introduced the Macintosh Portable Data Modem 2400, a 2400-baud internal modem that facilitates communication with other personal computers, minicomputers and mainframes, while maintaining low-power consumption. The Portable's Processor Direct Slot (PDS) is a high-performance slot connected to the microprocessor bus that will support an expansion card. It allows third-party developers to create add-on products to extend the capabilities of the Portable. It's a Macintosh The new Portable achieves compatibility with Macintosh hardware and software by integrating the following features: - Macintosh software compatibility: The Portable works with the same thousands of powerful, easy-to-learn software products that have been written for all other Macintosh computers. The Portable uses Macintosh system software version 6.0.4. This is a hardware-support upgrade and is compatible with previous releases of Macintosh system software. - Optional 40MB hard disk: This special low-power internal hard disk is factory-installed with System 6.0.4 and HyperCard 1.2.5, further simplifying setup for the user. - SuperDrive: The Portable includes the 1.4MB SuperDrive, which provides 75 percent more storage capacity than 800K drives, and reads, writes, and formats Macintosh, OS/2, MS-DOS, and ProDOS disks. - Standard Macintosh ports: Seven external ports accommodate peripherals such as hard disks, printers and input devices. The Portable's serial ports provide LocalTalk support, which allows the Portable to connect to a LocalTalk network and take advantage of AppleTalk Network services such as AppleShare servers, LaserWriter printers and other devices. - Apple Stereo Sound capability: The Portable features the same high-quality digital sound capabilities as found in the Macintosh modular line and in the SE/30. The Macintosh Portable comes standard with 1MB of RAM and SuperDrive and weighs 15.7 pounds with the battery and optional 40MB hard disk. Without the hard disk, the Portable weighs 13.7 pounds. It also features an optional mouse, handy pocket reference guide and durable carrying case. Related products Apple is also offering several other related products and accessories for the Portable, including the Macintosh Portable Data Modem 2400, Rechargeable Battery, Battery Charger, Numeric Keypad Module, and 1MB Memory Expansion Kit. Also available from Apple are the Macintosh Portable Internal SuperDrive and Internal 40SC Hard Disk. Apple plans to announce the availability of the Macintosh Portable Video Adapter at a later date. Apple expects the Portable to appeal to a broad range of customers across all application areas. Macintosh IIci The new Macintosh IIci is the highest performance personal computer that Apple has ever shipped. It delivers up to a 55 percent performance increase, when compared to the Macintosh IIcx and IIx. Additionally, it offers new capabilities--such as built-in video--and incorporates the same flexible design and hardware features as the popular Macintosh IIcx. "We define performance in human terms," said Gassee. "A truly powerful system is responsive, makes people better at what they do and is enduring. As the Macintosh IIci demonstrates, real performance doesn't come from just raw processing power. It comes from the balanced integration of hardware, peripherals, system software and the human interface. " Performance The Macintosh IIci computer's higher performance derives from a balanced system design, which features a faster microprocessor and performance enhancements that optimize the microprocessor's capabilities. The combination of these features enables the entire range of Macintosh applications to calculate, reformat, enlarge, scan, search, resize, scroll, redraw and paint faster than any Macintosh has ever been able to do before. Additionally, the system features a connector for a cache card, which can further boost the overall throughput of the system. - Faster clock speed: Motorola 25 MHz 68030 and 68882. The combination of the 68030 microprocessor and the 68882 floating-point coprocessor running at 25 MHz represents the most significant new feature of the Macintosh IIci. (The Macintosh IIcx and IIx run at 16 MHz.) - Burst-mode RAM access: The burst-mode RAM access capability of the 68030 allows the microprocessor to read blocks of memory more efficiently than in previous architectures. As a result, the system requires fewer clock cycles to process groups of instructions, further accelerating the system's performance. - Faster DRAM: The system uses 80 nanosecond DRAM to match the increase in the microprocessor's clock speed and burst-mode RAM access. Additionally, the ROM code takes full advantage of the 68030's 256-byte instruction cache. - RAM cache connector: The system's built-in cache connector provides users with the ability to install a cache card that can increase performance by storing the most-recently accessed data and instructions in a small bank of high-speed memory. The microprocessor can read data and instructions from the cache in fewer clock cycles than it can read from main memory. A cache card can improve the performance of a system by up to an additional 30 percent (for a 75 percent overall increase) in performance, depending on the configuration and usage. Apple plans to announce a RAM cache card in early 1990. Built-in video The Macintosh IIci computer's built-in video capability lets users connect a monitor to the system without using a video card. The built-in video drives a 640-by-480-pixel screen, such as the AppleColor High-Resolution RGB Monitor or Apple High-Resolution Monochrome Monitor, at up to 256 colors or gray levels, or a 640-by-870-pixel screen, such as Apple's Portrait Display, at up to 16 gray levels. Built-in video for the Macintosh IIci is self-configuring. Users simply plug in a video cable to the video port. Built-in video also increases the expansion capabilities of the system by freeing up a NuBus slot. Additional features - 512K of ROM: The Macintosh IIci features 512K of ROM, which provides support for the new hardware features (built-in video, burst-mode RAM access, optional cache) in the Macintosh IIci, and for 32-bit addressing. When used with System 7, Apple's next major release of Macintosh system software, the Macintosh IIci will be able to address up to 4 gigabytes (4 billion bytes) of memory. The ROM also includes support for 32-Bit QuickDraw, enabling color systems to display up to 16 million colors simultaneously with the appropriate graphics card support. - IIcx design: The Macintosh IIci shares the same flexible design as the Macintosh IIcx. It has a small footprint, can be set vertically or horizontally and it is designed for easy serviceability. It also has the auto- restart and low noise features of the IIcx. The hardware features that the Macintosh IIci shares with the IIcx include three NuBus slots, 1MB to 8MB (up to 32MB with future memory chips), Apple Stereo Sound capabilities, the internal SuperDrive and an internal 3.5-inch hard disk. As with all other 68030-based systems, the microprocessor's built-in Paged Memory Management Unit (PMMU) can be used with A/UX, Apple's UNIX system and with future versions of the Macintosh operating system. - Expansion capabilities: The system also features the same set of external ports as the IIcx, and includes a video connector to support the built-in video. Additionally, by using the Macintosh IIci computer's built-in video capability customers have all three slots available for other cards. The Macintosh IIci can be configured from 1MB up to 8MB of RAM on the logic board and accommodates either 40MB or 80MB 3.5-inch, half-height hard disks from Apple and larger disks from third parties. The system can also be preconfigured with A/UX. Each Macintosh IIci includes a mouse, System Software 6.0.4, HyperCard 1.2.5, SuperDrive, and all documentation. Apple believes the Macintosh IIci will appeal to a broad range of users who want more power. Upgrades Macintosh IIcx customers can upgrade their systems with a Macintosh IIci Logic Board Upgrade Kit that consists of the logic board, as well as a bottom case to accommodate the video connector. The Logic Board Upgrade Kit is scheduled for release later this year. Macintosh IIci-specific DRAM kits in 1MB and 4MB configurations are available immediately for IIci customers who want to upgrade their systems. Price and availability The Macintosh Portable and Macintosh IIci are available immediately through all authorized Apple certified dealers and VARs. Suggested retail prices for the Macintosh Portable and peripherals: Macintosh Portable w/1MB RAM/SuperDrive $5,799 Macintosh Portable w/1MB RAM/40MB Hard Disk/SuperDrive $6,499 Macintosh Portable Data Modem 2400 $449 Macintosh Portable 1MB Memory Expansion Kit $649 Macintosh Portable Rechargeable Battery $49 Macintosh Portable Battery Recharger $129 Macintosh Portable Numeric Keypad Module $69 Macintosh Portable SuperDrive Upgrade $499 Macintosh Portable Internal 40SC Hard Disk $1,199 Suggested retails prices for typical Macintosh IIci configurations: Macintosh IIci w/1MB RAM/SuperDrive $6,269 Macintosh IIci w/1MB RAM/40MB Hard Disk $6,969 Macintosh IIci w/4MB RAM/80MB Hard Disk $8,669 Macintosh IIci w/4MB RAM/80MB Hard Disk (A/UX installed) $9,152 Macintosh IIci Logic Board Upgrade Kit $2,399 DRAM upgrade kits 1MB: $499; 4MB: $1,999 Keyboards for the Macintosh IIci and all other peripherals are sold separately. -30- Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, HyperCard, ProDOS, AppleTalk, AppleShare, LaserWriter and A/UX are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. SuperDrive, LocalTalk, AppleColor and QuickDraw are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. NuBus is a trademark of Texas Instruments. UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T. -- Mark B. Johnson AppleLink: mjohnson Developer Technical Support domain: mjohnson@Apple.com Apple Computer, Inc. UUCP: {amdahl,decwrl,sun,unisoft}!apple!mjohnson "You gave your life to become the person you are right now. Was it worth it?" - Richard Bach, _One_
stores@unix.SRI.COM (Matt Mora) (09/21/89)
Some questions abput the Mac Portable. Can it support the Apple Hi-Res color monitor and extended Keyboard? I would like to be able to use it at home with a larger monitor , extended keyboard and a real mouse. And when I need to use on the move, simply unplug the stuff and a way I go. Will this be possible? -- ___________________________________________________________ Matthew Mora SRI International stores@unix.sri.com ___________________________________________________________
chuq@Apple.COM (Chuq Von Rospach) (09/21/89)
>Some questions abput the Mac Portable. >Can it support the Apple Hi-Res color monitor and extended Keyboard? Yes, with the Portable Video Adaptor (plugs into the back, converts the portable to standard monitor, NTSC, PAL and Secam. Note: this won't ship immediately). Extended keyborad: yes, there's a standard ADB port in the back. > real mouse. And when I need to use on the >move, simply unplug the stuff and a way I go. A standard (actually, new, low-power mouse that will be merged into all product lines) mouse is included. Plugs into the ADB port in the back. All of the ports you've come to know and love on the Macs are back there, including one ADB (instead of two, since all the portable ADB connections are internal), SCSI, the video adaptor, etc. The Portable, by the way, has the Mac 2 stereo chip on it. -- Chuq Von Rospach <+> Editor,OtherRealms <+> Member SFWA/ASFA chuq@apple.com <+> CI$: 73317,635 <+> [This is myself speaking. I am not Appl Segmentation Fault. Core dumped.
pasek@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM (Michael A. Pasek) (09/21/89)
In article <34888@apple.Apple.COM> mjohnson@Apple.COM (Mark B. Johnson) writes: >Apple Unveils Two New Macintosh Computers: >Macintosh Portable and Macintosh IIci >[all the gory details deleted] > Suggested retail prices for the Macintosh Portable >Macintosh Portable w/1MB RAM/SuperDrive $5,799 > > Suggested retails prices for typical Macintosh IIci >Macintosh IIci w/1MB RAM/SuperDrive $6,269 Yow!!! Don't get me wrong, these sound like REALLY nice machines, but (like the subject line says) I don't have ten grand just laying around.....what happened to "The Computer For The Rest Of Us" ? Surely with all that Engineering expertise you've got to be able to make an inexpensive Mac using current technology as a replacement for the Plus....... Of course, if you want to GIVE me a IIci, I'll quit complaining.... M. A. Pasek Switching Software Development NCR Comten, Inc. (612) 638-7668 CNG Development 2700 N. Snelling Ave. pasek@c10sd3.StPaul.NCR.COM Roseville, MN 55113
svc@well.UUCP (Leonard Rosenthol) (09/21/89)
In article <3672@unix.SRI.COM> stores@unix.UUCP (Matt Mora) writes: >Some questions abput the Mac Portable. > >Can it support the Apple Hi-Res color monitor and extended Keyboard? > >I would like to be able to use it at home with a larger monitor , >extended keyboard and a real mouse. And when I need to use on the >move, simply unplug the stuff and a way I go. >Will this be possible? > There is no problem with hooking up ANY ADB device to the portable as it has the standard two ADB ports on the back (as well as the two serial, one SCSI, one audio out and one video out). The protable DOES NOT support colorQD, nor will it currently interface to standard Apple monitors, though it does have a video out which is primarily for NTSC/CCAM, etc. So the answer to your question, is yes to the keyboard and no to the Apple Monitor, though another largescreen will work fine... -- +--------------------------------------------------+ Leonard Rosenthol | GEnie : MACgician Lazerware, inc. | MacNet: MACgician UUCP: svc@well.UUCP | ALink : D0025
hpoppe@bierstadt.ucar.edu (Herb Poppe) (09/21/89)
In article <34912@apple.Apple.COM> chuq@Apple.COM (Chuq Von Rospach) writes: >>Some questions abput the Mac Portable. > >>Can it support the Apple Hi-Res color monitor and extended Keyboard? > >Yes, with the Portable Video Adaptor (plugs into the back, converts the >portable to standard monitor, NTSC, PAL and Secam. Note: this won't ship >immediately). Extended keyborad: yes, there's a standard ADB port in the >back. > Just to emphasize a point: "...the video adapter supplies monochrome images to the Apple High-Resolution ^^^^^^^^^^ RGB Monitor..." (Quoted from the Macintosh Portable Video Adapter spec sheet.) Apple hasn't announced price or availability for the adapter yet. I understand that Kodak is/has developed a version of the DataShow that plugs directly into the Portable (doesn't require the video adapter). Herb Poppe NCAR INTERNET: hpoppe@ncar.ucar.edu (303) 497-1296 P.O. Box 3000 CSNET: hpoppe@ncar.CSNET Boulder, CO 80307 UUCP: hpoppe@ncar.UUCP
jordan@Apple.COM (Jordan Mattson) (09/22/89)
In article <3672@unix.SRI.COM> stores@unix.UUCP (Matt Mora) writes: >Some questions abput the Mac Portable. > >Can it support the Apple Hi-Res color monitor and extended Keyboard? > >I would like to be able to use it at home with a larger monitor , >extended keyboard and a real mouse. And when I need to use on the >move, simply unplug the stuff and a way I go. >Will this be possible? > >-- >___________________________________________________________ >Matthew Mora >SRI International stores@unix.sri.com >___________________________________________________________ Dear Matthew - The portable includes an Apple Desk Top Bus port, so you will be able to use it with an extended keyboard, as well as with a mouse (by the way, it also comes with a low powered mouse that people can use on battery power). It also has a port for a video-out adaptor that will support the monochrome monitor and the RGB monitor (though you will be generating monochrome, because this machine does not have color quick draw). So, the bottom line answer to your question is a resounding,yes! -- Jordan Mattson UUCP: jordan@apple.apple.com Apple Computer, Inc. CSNET: jordan@apple.CSNET Development Tools Product Management AppleLink: Mattson1 20525 Mariani Avenue, MS 27S Cupertino, CA 95014 408-974-4601 "Joy is the serious business of heaven." C.S. Lewis
amanda@intercon.com (Amanda Walker) (09/22/89)
In article <1531@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM>, pasek@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM (Michael A. Pasek) writes: > Yow!!! Don't get me wrong, these sound like REALLY nice machines, > but (like the subject line says) I don't have ten grand just laying > around.....what happened to "The Computer For The Rest Of Us" ? It's called the "Macintosh Plus" or "Macintosh SE." It's just that "the rest of us" has gotten to be a bigger group than it used to be. A broad product line (which is significantly more intercompatible than any other vendor's) is a strength, not a weakness. -- Amanda Walker amanda@intercon.com
nick@lfcs.ed.ac.uk (Nick Rothwell) (09/22/89)
In article <1466@intercon.com>, amanda@intercon (Amanda Walker) writes: >In article <1531@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM>, pasek@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM (Michael >A. Pasek) writes: >> Yow!!! Don't get me wrong, these sound like REALLY nice machines, >> but (like the subject line says) I don't have ten grand just laying >> around.....what happened to "The Computer For The Rest Of Us" ? > >It's called the "Macintosh Plus" or "Macintosh SE." It's just that >"the rest of us" has gotten to be a bigger group than it used to be. >A broad product line (which is significantly more intercompatible than >any other vendor's) is a strength, not a weakness. The question (or a similar question) still stands, I think. With this immense increase in processing power per buck, and all these wonderful machines now available, why does The Power To Be Your Best (even with a lowly Mac Plus) cost the man-in-the-street $2500 (European prices)? >Amanda Walker Nick. -- Nick Rothwell, Laboratory for Foundations of Computer Science, Edinburgh. nick@lfcs.ed.ac.uk <Atlantic Ocean>!mcvax!ukc!lfcs!nick ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ Fais que ton reve soit plus long que la nuit.
avery@well.UUCP (Avery Ray Colter) (10/11/89)
stores@unix.SRI.COM (Matt Mora) writes: >Some questions abput the Mac Portable. >Can it support the Apple Hi-Res color monitor and extended Keyboard? >I would like to be able to use it at home with a larger monitor , >extended keyboard and a real mouse. And when I need to use on the >move, simply unplug the stuff and a way I go. >Will this be possible? Yes! I was just coming in here to ask a similar question. I have heard that there are problems making versions of both the color display and the 80MB hard disk and the 4 MB extra RAM for A/UX which are low-power enough for the Portbale as it stands. However, one option for the designers strikes me as an interesting one: Make the Portable able to use the more hi-power-usage devices only when under AC power. This way, the Portable will be able to do all the things one of the IIs can do while it is near a plug, and still keep all its standard equipment it has now for when it is running under batteries. As I posted before, I'm a bit torn between the versatility of the Portable and the NuBus, color, and A/UX capability of the IIcx. It would be interesting to have a model that has all the feautures of both, but simply turns off the NuBus slots and the color port when running on the batteries. -- Avery Ray Colter (415) 451-7786 | Now, class, repeat after me: {apple|ucbvax|pacbell}!well!avery | ICH LIEBE DIE BELEIBTEN LEIBEN, avery@well.sf.ca.us | UND HUPFENDE HUEFTE HABE ICH GERN!
thecloud@dhw68k.cts.com (Ken McLeod) (10/13/89)
I'm sure this probably isn't news, but... neither Macsbug 6.0 or 6.1 work on a IIci. And while I haven't personally tried it, I'm told TMON 2.8.2 doesn't work either. So... if you're a developer, debugging your software on a IIci might be a bit tricky. (Especially if said software runs smoothly on every other Macintosh model! :-( :-( arrrrgh. -- ========== ....... ============================================= Ken McLeod :. .: UUCP: ...{spsd,zardoz,felix}!dhw68k!thecloud ========== :::.. ..::: INTERNET: thecloud@dhw68k.cts.com //// =============================================
macman@ethz.UUCP (Danny Schwendener) (10/15/89)
>Can it support the Apple Hi-Res color monitor and extended Keyboard? >I would like to be able to use it at home with a larger monitor , >extended keyboard and a real mouse. And when I need to use on the >move, simply unplug the stuff and a way I go. >Will this be possible? Yes it will. But keep in mind that external devices like the extended keyboard are not c-mos based, and draw a noticeable amount of power from the portable's battery. So the best thing would be to keep the Portable plugged into a power supply at home. The Portable comes with a carrying case, a low-power mouse and an external power supply/battery charger. Everything fits into the carrying case, and there's still room left for an external monitor adapter, your disks and a few documents. -- Danny +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Danny Schwendener, Apple Developer Services Switzerland | | AppleLink: danny.s UUCP : {cernvax,mcvax}ethz!macman | | Internet: macman@ifi.ethz.ch Voice : yodel three times | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ DISCLAIMER: These are my opinions, leave my employer alone.