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I was working at Apple when that particular model Mac was being developed. Those of us with no need-to-know got odd prototypes that looked more like a steel amm
by JKCalhoun 2y ago
I was working at Apple when that particular model Mac was being developed. Those of us with no need-to-know got odd prototypes that looked more like a steel ammo box with bundle of cables coming out the back — tethered to a display that you had to prop up (some people might have got a kind of simple stand for the display).
In any event, the elaborate arm mechanism, dome plastics we would not know until the model was unveiled to the world at whatever the event was.
Before that though, the steel box didn't stop us from opening it up to look inside. Though our steel enclosures had something closer to a baseball "home plate" footprint, when we peeked inside we saw the circular PCB and knew we were being duped.
With the dangly display they seemed to go quicker than other prototypes to the dumpsters left in Apple's hallways when the actual product was released. I am aware of three MAME machines I built around discarded prototypes. (Shhh!!!!)
I think two of the three prototypes running MAME died eventually — the third I left behind at Apple when I retired. So, fate unknown.
Shortly after though is probably when Apple started locking the dumpsters to keep out the divers like me. (Well, probably more to keep them from ending up on eBay I suspect.)
- hot_gril 2y agoThe design is practically begging for someone to try swapping out the computer side. It's almost like a tower-and-screen setup.
- MBCook 2y agoPeople have done it. The most recent Mac mini’s are so small that their guts can be crammed in the bottom if you replace the original board and power supply. Then put a brand new screen up at the top and run the wires through the arm and you get something really cool.
- classichasclass 2y agoIsn't that basically what the article is?
- cbogie 2y agoyeah that’s how i understood the article. or at least pretend to believe i understand it. as with most newly introduced concepts
- MBCook 2y agoIt’s close. Unless I misunderstood something I thought the Mac mini was being kept out of the case and was actually somewhere else and then plugged into it with HDMI or something. I thought the old iMac was basically acting as a fancy monitor stand with built in display (later upgraded).
- classichasclass 2y agoNo, he's got it in there (2nd and 3rd images from the bottom). The power button peeps out through the RAM door.
- MBCook 2y agoOh
- wkat4242 2y agoNot really, the dock board doesn't require a screen replacement. Edit: oops needed to read further on. You're right. Ps: > I'm not sure whether the DockLite or the 20-year old LCD screen is to blame for this, but there is noticeable color banding on the screen, especially with macOS window shadows. Yeah that would be the LCD. In those days most LCDs were pretty crappy 6-bit TN panels.
- gigatexal 2y agoIt’s so cute!!! I wish Apple would release a retro line like this and with it the M4 chips.
- xattt 2y agoFor all intents and porpoises, it should be the video HomePod variant. edit: … with a “Follow Me” FaceTime camera
- rbanffy 2y agoAfter all the DEI shenanigans, Apple should bring the rainbow apple logo back. They’d probably lose all federal contracts for four years, but they’d gain some even more dedicated following.
- WillAdams 2y agoWhile I bitterly objected to Steve Jobs cancelling the Newton (apparently one of the reasons was the USMC having great success testing them for battlefield use and being on the verge of a general deployment/contract and SJ not wanting to be a Defense Contractor), I'll have to buy something (my first Apple purchase for myself since buying OpenSTEP 4.2) if Apple continues to be the only principled multi-national.
- rbanffy 2y agoTheir products are really good. Others might have better numbers, the same way a McLaren can be faster than a 911, but the 911 is a much more pleasant drive.