Chapter 1: The Beginnings of Macintosh

Reflecting on the original Apple Macintosh brings back vivid memories of its early days. Released in 1984, my awareness of it didn't truly develop until I began my first job in 1986. Coincidentally, my employer utilized Apple computers, featuring a collection of Apple II models alongside several original "all-in-one" Macs, including an upgraded 128K version, a Mac Plus, and a few 512K models. Looking back, I feel fortunate to have started my career in such a unique environment.

There’s a whole series dedicated to my boss, John, and the quirks of our workplace.

Section 1.1: Hardware Highlights

The Macintosh was powered by a 68000 processor running at nearly 8 MHz, marking a significant shift from the 8-bit Commodore 64 I had at home. Initially, the small built-in monochrome monitor didn't seem limiting, as the resolution of 512 x 342 was quite impressive for its time. Unlike typical computers, early Macs resembled appliances, designed without the option for user upgrades. The original model featured 128 KB of RAM, with later versions offering up to 512 KB.

Connectivity options were minimal, with ports for a mouse, keyboard, audio, and an external floppy drive, alongside a couple of serial ports. The floppy drive had a single-sided capacity of 400 KB, and the sound output was limited to a single channel but crafted from 8-bit samples, providing a more refined audio experience. By 1986, the Mac Plus upgraded to 1 MB of RAM and featured an 800 KB double-sided floppy drive and a SCSI port for external hard disks. The SE model introduced in 1987 supported two internal floppy drives or a combination of one hard disk and one floppy.

Chapter 2: The Work Experience

Creating start-up disks and transferring files were significant aspects of my work on the Mac. Its floppy drive's variable speeds were notable, producing an unmistakable ‘cluck cluck cluck’ as it navigated the disk tracks. Most of the Macs had transitioned to 800 KB double-sided floppy drives by the time I began my role, with a few legacy 400 KB drives still in circulation. Managing two drives was essential for efficient disk copying, as the original Mac could only run a single application at once.

Although I primarily remember System 6, I likely started with earlier versions. Small utility programs known as desk accessories, such as the Calculator, offered quick access without needing to close the main application. The Font/DA Mover allowed the transfer of fonts and accessories into the system file, which was useful for managing space on 800 KB floppy disks. Additionally, ResEdit was a handy tool for customizing keyboard shortcuts.

Section 2.1: Printing Innovations

My job involved developing electronics for a specialized printer, including coding for its 6303 microcontroller, which handled image processing. To simplify printing, our printers initially used the same protocol as the Apple ImageWriter dot matrix printer, allowing seamless integration with any Mac application. Later, I utilized Adobe Type Manager (ATM) on System 6 for high-resolution PostScript fonts, which was notably slow on lower-end Macs compared to the faster TrueType fonts introduced in System 7.

Networking capabilities were another innovative feature of Macs, with AppleTalk allowing connection for up to 32 devices. Although its speed of 230.4 kbit/s was not particularly fast, it offered a more convenient alternative to floppy disks for file sharing.

Chapter 3: Creative Applications

John, my boss, was quite passionate about using the Mac for Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layouts, preferring to handle the designs himself with programs like MacDraft or MacDraw II. My role involved verifying his layouts, a task that required careful attention to detail. Initially, layouts were created in black and white, with different patterns denoting top and bottom layers before final artwork was printed.

After a few years with the Mac Plus, I transitioned to the SE, which felt noticeably quicker and featured a built-in 20 MB hard drive, eliminating the need for external drives. Eventually, we started using color Macs, beginning with the LC model, followed by the IIsi, which boasted a faster 20 MHz 68030 processor and 5 MB of RAM.

Section 3.1: Advancements in CAD

By 1991, I took over the PCB layout responsibilities, utilizing McCAD on the Mac IIsi. The complexity of designs often meant waiting up to 90 seconds for the screen to redraw after each modification—an ordeal that could be interrupted if necessary. Running in 256-color mode slowed performance, so I opted for 16 colors. Frequent crashes of McCAD, occasionally corrupting files, forced me to develop a habit of saving work under different filenames every ten minutes.

In 1994, I upgraded to a Quadra 630, which significantly reduced redraw time to 30 seconds due to its more powerful 33 MHz 68040 processor. However, some software required the processor’s cache to be disabled, which slowed overall performance.

Chapter 4: The Transition to PowerPC

In 1994, Apple transitioned from the 680x0 series to PowerPC processors. The initial PowerPC machines used the 601 chip, promising a threefold increase in speed. However, most of my software was not yet optimized for the new architecture, forcing emulation of the older processors, which hampered performance.

Though I switched to a Windows PC for PCB layout in 1997, I continued to use various newer Macs based on the PowerPC, G3, and G4 processors throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, including the first iMac.

Section 4.1: Programming Experiences

My primary focus was on electronics and firmware, but I began writing test software on the Mac in the 1980s using Microsoft QuickBASIC. By the 1990s, I had transitioned to Think C/C++ and Metrowerks CodeWarrior, gradually increasing my software development efforts on the Mac. Apple’s developer CDs featured amusing titles, including ‘Silence of the ROMs’ and ‘Desperately Seeking Seven.’

Chapter 5: Macintosh at Home

In 1991, I purchased a used Macintosh SE through work, which I utilized for various tasks, including Excel and MacDraw II. One standout game was Shufflepuck Café, which I enjoyed immensely.

Later, I sold the SE to upgrade to a Performa 630, which I used for SimCity and ClarisDraw, along with some programming. Throughout the 90s, I often juggled three different computers: a Mac, an Amiga, and a PC, each serving distinct purposes. However, the space they occupied led me to switch to Windows and part with my Mac, finding better performance at a lower cost.

Final Thoughts on the Classic Era

After a hiatus without any Macs, I eventually acquired an LC and an LC 475 from eBay to revisit some old projects. Today, I blend modern Macs with Windows PCs, yet I fondly remember the simplicity and charm of classic Mac applications like MacDraw II.

Last year, I let go of a PowerPC G3 Mac that had sentimental value, given to me by John when he retired in 2006. It was difficult to part with, prompting me to take numerous photos and backups. Unfortunately, my LC 475 eventually failed, leaving me with only the LC as a vintage reminder. I'm grateful to have it.

Do you have your own memories of the original Apple Macintosh? Feel free to share in the comments!

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