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Macintosh Classic
The first Mac under a thousand dollars.
Overview
In October 1990 Apple finally hit the magic number: a complete Macintosh for $999. The Classic repackaged familiar technology, the 68000 processor at 8 MHz and a 9-inch black-and-white screen, in a slimmed-down case with a built-in SuperDrive and a keyboard in the box.
A small version of System 6.0.3 lived in ROM, so the machine could start from a ROM disk by holding a key combination even without a floppy or hard disk. Memory started at 1 MB and could be expanded to 4 MB with a card, and a 40 MB SCSI hard disk was available as a more expensive configuration.
Price cuts and school sales made it a bestseller, and it moved well over a million units. It was replaced by the faster Classic II.
Why it mattered
It brought the Mac under $1,000 and became one of Apple's best-selling machines of the early 1990s.
At a glance
- Announced
- October 15, 1990
- Released
- October 15, 1990
- Discontinued
- September 14, 1992
- Launch price
- $999
- Chip / processor
- Motorola 68000, 8 MHz
- Display
- 9"
- Storage
- 1.4 MB floppy, optional 40 MB hard disk
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- Launched at $999 with keyboard included
- System 6 stored in ROM and bootable
- Built-in SuperDrive floppy
- Over a million sold
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Display
- Size
- 9-inch
- Type
- Monochrome CRT
- Resolution
- 512 x 342
Chip
- Chip
- Motorola 68000, 8 MHz
Memory
- RAM
- 1 MB, expandable to 4 MB
- Storage options
- 1.4 MB SuperDrive; optional internal 40 MB SCSI hard disk
Ports
- Ports
- ADB, 2 serial, SCSI, external floppy, headphone jack
Audio
- Speakers
- Built-in mono speaker (8-bit, 22 kHz)
Design
- Dimensions
- 34 x 25 x 28 cm (13.2 x 9.7 x 11.2 in)
- Weight
- 7.3 kg (16 lb)
Software
- Launch OS
- System 6.0.7
- Latest supported OS
- System 7.5.5
Expansion
- Slots
- None
Availability
- Announced
- October 15, 1990
- Released
- October 15, 1990
- Discontinued
- September 14, 1992
- Launch price
- $999
Colors
- Finishes
- Platinum
How it compares
More in the Macintosh family
Macintosh 128K
The beige box that put a mouse and icons on millions of desks.
Macintosh 512K
The "Fat Mac" quadrupled memory to make the Mac usable.
Macintosh Plus
SCSI, SIMM sockets and an 800 KB drive in the long-lived compact Mac.
Macintosh 512Ke
The budget Mac that borrowed the Plus floppy drive and ROMs.
Macintosh SE
A compact Mac with an internal drive bay and its first expansion slot.
Macintosh SE/30
The fast, hackable compact Mac that collectors still adore.
Macintosh Classic II
A 68030 Classic: faster, but still a black-and-white compact.
Macintosh Color Classic
The last compact Mac, now with a color Trinitron screen.