Macintosh Plus
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer |
|---|---|
| Type | All-in-one computer |
| Introductory price | US$2,599 |
| Discontinued | October 15, 1990 |
| Operating system | System Software 3.0–7.5.5 |
| CPU | Motorola 68000 @ 7.8 MHz |
| Memory | 1 MB RAM (expandable to 4 MB) |
| Display | 9-inch monochrome, 512 × 342 pixels |
| Predecessor | Macintosh 512K |
| Successor | Macintosh SE |
The Macintosh Plus is a personal computer that was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Computer from January 1986 to October 1990. Introduced two years after the original Macintosh, it was the third model in the Macintosh line and featured several hardware improvements over its predecessor, the Macintosh 512K.[1]
Overview
The Macintosh Plus shipped with 1 MB of RAM (expandable to 4 MB via four 30-pin SIMM slots), a new 800 KB floppy drive with two sides, and a SCSI port. The SCSI interface allowed the system to connect to external hard drives, printers, scanners, and other peripherals, the first time Apple had done this.[2]
It was also the first Macintosh to support the HFS for more complex file management.
Features
The Macintosh Plus introduced some improvements including a SCSI port for external devices, 1 MB of RAM, and an 800 KB double-sided floppy disk drive.
Its improved RAM capacity allowed it to run more demanding software, and the SCSI port made it popular in desktop publishing and business applications.[3]
Design
The Plus maintained the all-in-one form factor like the computers before it, with a 9-inch monochrome display and small size. It came bundled with a keyboard featuring arrow keys and a numeric keypad.
Like earlier models, the Macintosh Plus didn't have an internal fan, which made it quieter than competing PCs but also prone to overheating.[4]
On the inside of the case, the names of the original Macintosh development team were molded into the plastic, including Steve Jobs, Andy Hertzfeld, and Susan Kare.[5]
Software
The Macintosh Plus originally shipped with System Software 3.0 and Finder 5.1, and it remained compatible up to System 7.5.5.[6] It included software bundles, such as MacPaint and MacWrite, HyperCard, Microsoft Excel (first released on Macintosh), and Aldus PageMaker.
Upgrades and compatibility
Apple offered a factory upgrade kit for owners of earlier Macs (128K or 512K), allowing them to convert to a Plus by replacing the motherboard, floppy drive, and back case.
Some third-part developers released accelerators and memory expansions that pushed RAM up to 16 MB; far above Apple’s official 4 MB maximum.[7]
Known issues
Early Macintosh Plus units had a SCSI bug that would prevent booting when external devices were not powered correctly.[8]
The lack of a cooling fan led to overheating in some units, with long-term strain on analog board solder joints and power supply failures being common.[4]
Legacy
The Macintosh Plus was in production for nearly five years, longer than any other Macintosh until the second-generation Mac Pro (2013–2019). It was a common to see one at schools and universities throughout the late 1980s.
Some educational units were sold under the name "Macintosh Plus ED" for institutional use.[9]
References
- ↑ Wade, Tony. The Apple Macintosh Book, 3rd ed., Brady Publishing, 1987.
- ↑ Apple Computer, Inc. Macintosh Plus Developer Note. February 1986. [1]
- ↑ Levy, Steven. Insanely Great: The Life and Times of Macintosh, the Computer That Changed Everything. Viking, 1994.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ritter, Steve. "Cooling the Compact Macs." MacTech Magazine, Issue 88, 1992.
- ↑ Hertzfeld, Andy. "The Signing Party". Folklore.org.
- ↑ Apple Knowledge Base. "Macintosh Plus: Technical Specifications".
- ↑ Williams, Gregg. The Macintosh Plus Handbook. Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 1986.
- ↑ Apple TIL (Technical Information Library). "Macintosh Plus SCSI Booting Issues." Archived 1993.
- ↑ EveryMac.com. "Macintosh Plus Specs (1986)".