Apple Announces New Versatile Macintosh IIcx With 68030 Performance in a Small-Sized Modular Design

By John Cook and Carol Cochrane
Business Wire

March 7, 1989

Cupertino, CA -- Apple Computer Inc. Tuesday introduced the newest member of its expanding, compatible Macintosh personal computer family, the Macintosh IIcx.

The versatile IIcx features 68030 performance, three NuBus expansion slots and a small, modular design.

The Macintosh IIcx is the third new Macintosh announced in the past six months that features full 32-bit 68030 and 68882 microprocessors and Apple's unique SuperDrive, which allows users to easily access non-Macintosh disks. The IIcx system's performance and expandability, plus its small footprint -- about the size of a typewriter make it an adaptable system that will appeal to many of the different markets that Apple serves.

The feature that distinguishes the Macintosh IIcx from the Macintosh II and IIx, is its unique flexible product design. Its small footprint takes up less space on the desk, and its mounting flexibility base, side or from a mounting bracket helps it fit into any work environment.

In addition, the new IIcx is easy to service and configure. Users can disassemble the entire system after removing a single screw, making it simple to reach critical components such as RAM, ROM and disk drives.

As with all members of the Macintosh product family, the IIcx was designed to use the same software architecture. This allows customers to use the same applications and data files on any Macintosh model.

In addition, like other members of the modular Macintosh product family, the IIcx shares important features such as color QuickDraw, NuBus architecture, stereo sound capabilities and an optional internal 3.5-inch half-height hard disk.

And, like the Macintosh IIx and compact Macintosh SE/30, the IIcx features a 68030 microprocessor, a 68882 math coprocessor and a 1.4MB SuperDrive (FDHD - Floppy Drive High Density) a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive that can read and write to non-Macintosh formats, and the ability to use ROM SIMMs.

A new capability introduced with Macintosh IIcx is auto-restart, which allows the system to restart itself in the event of a power outage.

"The Macintosh IIcx is important for Apple because it combines the flexibility of our open architecture systems with a small size," said Jean-Louis Gasse, president of Apple Products. "With this combination of features, we expect the Macintosh IIcx to have very broad appeal.

"Together with the Macintosh II and IIx, the IIcx strengthens the product line and extends the range of options for users who are interested in considering modular Macintosh systems," he added.

The Macintosh IIcx system's 68030 runs at 16MHz, as does its 80- bit precision 68882 math coprocessor. The 68030 has separate 256- byte caches for data and instructions, plus a built-in Page Memory Management Unit (PMMU) used by advanced multitasking operating systems such as A/UX, Apple's UNIX system.

Three high-performance NuBus slots allow easy expansion. Virtually all 32-bit expansion cards designed for the Macintosh II and IIx are immediately compatible. NuBus expansion cards are currently available for external monitors, networking, host connectivity, memory and a variety of specialized coprocessing applications.

The industry-standard NuBus structure allows fast transfer of large quantities of data between add-on cards and the logic board. NuBus features fair arbitration and geographical addressing.

These characteristics let the add-on cards "identify" themselves so, unlike other computers, there is no need to set switches to configure a system. Because NuBus cards can be placed in any slot, there is exceptional flexibility and ease associated with system configuration.

In addition, through NuBus, coprocessor boards can take over the capabilities of the system to focus on specialized tasks.

The IIcx is compatible with Macintosh II and IIx software, and the high-capacity SuperDrive works with Apple File Exchange to make the new system compatible in a multivendor environment; able to read and write MS-DOS files effortlessly. The logic board features 256K ROMs. In addition, there is a slot for future ROM SIMMs (Single In- line Memory Modules) making future expansion or service easy.

The Macintosh IIcx can be configured with 1MB to 8MB of RAM on the logic board (using 1MB SIMMs). In addition to the usual complement of Macintosh ports (two RS232/422, two ADB Apple Desktop Bus| , SCSI and a stereo audio port), the IIcx features an external floppy disk drive port. Besides the built-in SuperDrive, the system can accommodate either 40MB or 80MB 3.5-inch half-height hard disks.

"This new, extremely versatile Macintosh provides a platform that is easily configured for a wide range of uses," said Allan Loren, president of Apple USA. "We believe it is sized and priced to work across the entire line of applications and should put it into a core position for our business and higher education customers."

Each Macintosh IIcx includes a mouse, System Software 6.0.3 (includes Apple File Exchange), HyperCard software, all documentation and SuperDrive. Keyboard and other peripherals are sold separately. Suggested retail prices for typical configurations:

1MB RAM/SuperDrive (FDHD) $4,669

1MB RAM/40MB Hard Disk $5,369

4MB RAM/80MB Hard Disk $7,069

4MB RAM/80MB Hard Disk(A/UX installed) $7,552

Macintosh IIcx systems are available today at Apple resellers worldwide.

Note to Editors: Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, A/UX and HyperCard are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

QuickDraw, FDHD and ADB are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. UNIX is registered trademark of AT&T Information Systems.

NuBus is a trademark of Texas Instruments.