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From: mjohn...@Apple.COM (Mark B. Johnson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.programmer,comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.mac.hypercard
Subject: Macintosh Portable and IIci Intro
Message-ID: <34888@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 20 Sep 89 14:29:00 GMT
Followup-To: comp.sys.mac
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA
Lines: 359
Apple Unveils Two New Macintosh Computers:
Macintosh Portable and Macintosh IIci
UNIVERSAL CITY, California--September 20, 1989--Apple Computer,
Inc. today added portability and even more power to its Macintosh
product family by announcing the Macintosh Portable and the
Macintosh IIci. The Macintosh Portable is a full-function
Macintosh in a portable design. The Macintosh IIci is a
high-performance version of Apple's popular Macintosh IIcx. Running
at 25 MHz and offering new capabilities such as
built-in video, the Macintosh IIci is the most powerful
Macintosh that Apple has ever developed.
"With this announcement, Macintosh becomes the only
comprehensive product family in the industry to offer users
consistent personal computing," said Jean-Louis Gassee,
president of Apple Products. "This means all Macintosh
customers have a sweeping range of hardware and application
choices--and they're all based on a single, unified software
architecture. Perhaps most important, it means that more and
more people can find a Macintosh to fit their individual
needs."
Macintosh Portable
The Portable incorporates all traditional Macintosh
benefits into a system that customers can take with them.
Notably, the Portable features advanced screen technology,
sophisticated power management, all-in-one design, and
complete Macintosh compatibility.
"When we started developing the Macintosh Portable, we
set two design challenges: First, it had to be a complete
Macintosh; Second, it had to be truly portable." said
Gassee. "This meant no compromises. And it required
integrating innovative display and power technologies.
Our new Portable meets those design criteria: it's a
Macintosh through and through. Now our customers can
have Macintosh personal computing anywhere."
Advanced screen technology
The Portable uses state-of-the-art Active Matrix Liquid
Crystal Display technology to achieve the superior
graphic capabilities of the Macintosh. This technology
enables the Portable to depict the Macintosh graphical
user interface, as well as sophisticated graphics, text,
and animation with a fast response time, high contrast,
and wide viewing angle. The Portable's display size is
640-by-400 pixels, which is 50 percent larger than a
Macintosh SE screen and as wide as a letter-size page.
The system also features a video output port. This port
can be used with an adapter to drive external monitors,
projection video systems or overhead viewplates.
Portability
Macintosh portability is achieved through sophisticated
power management circuitry and an all-in-one design. The
system's power management components include:
- Motorola CMOS 68000: Apple chose the CMOS (complementary
metal oxide silicon) 68000 microprocessor from the same
Motorola family of micro- processors as those found in
all Macintosh personal computers. The CMOS 68000 requires
80 percent less power than standard technology chips. It
runs at 16 MHz, providing roughly twice the performance of
the Macintosh SE.
- Low-power-consumption RAM: The Macintosh Portable contains
1MB of static RAM, which consumes less power than standard
dynamic RAM (DRAM). It allows users to work for long
periods between battery charges and retains the contents of
memory when the system is in sleep mode.
- Lead acid batteries: The Portable uses lead acid
batteries, which last from 6 to 12 hours (depending on usage
and configuration) and can be recharged to full capacity at
any time. The voltage of a lead acid battery diminishes
gradually as power is used, enabling the computer to provide
users with information about the power level. A battery Desk
Accessory shows a meter that indicates the charge level left
in the battery, much like a fuel gauge. Messages alert users
when power is running low.
- Separate power management microprocessor: This dedicated
microprocessor monitors the activity of each component of
the Portable. The Power Manager optimizes power allocation
and automatically puts the system into a standby "rest" mode
or into a "sleep" mode if the system has been inactive for a
preset period as specified by the user. During the rest mode
the system operating speed decreases from 16 MHz to 1 MHz.
In the sleep mode the power to most components is turned off.
Memory contents are retained in both rest and sleep modes.
The Portable's Instant-On feature allows customers to wake
up the system by simply pressing any key on the keyboard.
The following features comprise the system's all-in-one design:
- Integrated pointing devices: The system's integrated
trackball and full-size keyboard make it easier for customers
to set-up, pack-up, configure and use. The system's trackball
can be positioned for left- or right-handed users. It can also
be replaced by a numeric keypad. The Portable can also be
used with a low-power mouse that is included with the system.
- Rugged design: The Macintosh Portable is constructed to
withstand the bumps and bangs of everyday use. It is made
of rugged polycarbonate plastic, a material also used in
motorcycle helmets. SuperDrive floppy disk drive and the
optional 40MB hard disk are specially designed to ensure
durability.
- System expansion: The Portable has expansion connectors
for additional RAM and ROM. It also has a connector for an
internal modem. Apple today also introduced the Macintosh
Portable Data Modem 2400, a 2400-baud internal modem that
facilitates communication with other personal computers,
minicomputers and mainframes, while maintaining low-power
consumption. The Portable's Processor Direct Slot (PDS) is a
high-performance slot connected to the microprocessor bus
that will support an expansion card. It allows third-party
developers to create add-on products to extend the capabilities
of the Portable.
It's a Macintosh
The new Portable achieves compatibility with Macintosh
hardware and software by integrating the following features:
- Macintosh software compatibility: The Portable works with
the same thousands of powerful, easy-to-learn software
products that have been written for all other Macintosh
computers. The Portable uses Macintosh system software
version 6.0.4. This is a hardware-support upgrade and is
compatible with previous releases of Macintosh system
software.
- Optional 40MB hard disk: This special low-power internal
hard disk is factory-installed with System 6.0.4 and HyperCard
1.2.5, further simplifying setup for the user.
- SuperDrive: The Portable includes the 1.4MB SuperDrive,
which provides 75 percent more storage capacity than 800K
drives, and reads, writes, and formats Macintosh, OS/2,
MS-DOS, and ProDOS disks.
- Standard Macintosh ports: Seven external ports
accommodate peripherals such as hard disks, printers and
input devices. The Portable's serial ports provide
LocalTalk support, which allows the Portable to connect
to a LocalTalk network and take advantage of AppleTalk
Network services such as AppleShare servers, LaserWriter
printers and other devices.
- Apple Stereo Sound capability: The Portable features
the same high-quality digital sound capabilities as found
in the Macintosh modular line and in the SE/30.
The Macintosh Portable comes standard with 1MB of RAM
and SuperDrive and weighs 15.7 pounds with the battery and
optional 40MB hard disk. Without the hard disk, the Portable
weighs 13.7 pounds. It also features an optional mouse, handy
pocket reference guide and durable carrying case.
Related products
Apple is also offering several other related products and
accessories for the Portable, including the Macintosh Portable
Data Modem 2400, Rechargeable Battery, Battery Charger,
Numeric Keypad Module, and 1MB Memory Expansion Kit. Also
available from Apple are the Macintosh Portable Internal
SuperDrive and Internal 40SC Hard Disk. Apple plans to
announce the availability of the Macintosh Portable Video
Adapter at a later date.
Apple expects the Portable to appeal to a broad range
of customers across all application areas.
Macintosh IIci
The new Macintosh IIci is the highest performance
personal computer that Apple has ever shipped. It delivers
up to a 55 percent performance increase, when compared to
the Macintosh IIcx and IIx. Additionally, it offers new
capabilities--such as built-in video--and incorporates the
same flexible design and hardware features as the popular
Macintosh IIcx.
"We define performance in human terms," said Gassee. "A
truly powerful system is responsive, makes people better at
what they do and is enduring. As the Macintosh IIci
demonstrates, real performance doesn't come from just raw
processing power. It comes from the balanced integration of
hardware, peripherals, system software and the human
interface. "
Performance
The Macintosh IIci computer's higher performance derives
from a balanced system design, which features a faster
microprocessor and performance enhancements that optimize
the microprocessor's capabilities. The combination of these
features enables the entire range of Macintosh applications
to calculate, reformat, enlarge, scan, search, resize, scroll,
redraw and paint faster than any Macintosh has ever been able
to do before.
Additionally, the system features a connector for a cache
card, which can further boost the overall throughput of the
system.
- Faster clock speed: Motorola 25 MHz 68030 and 68882.
The combination of the 68030 microprocessor and the 68882
floating-point coprocessor running at 25 MHz represents the
most significant new feature of the Macintosh IIci. (The
Macintosh IIcx and IIx run at 16 MHz.)
- Burst-mode RAM access: The burst-mode RAM access
capability of the 68030 allows the microprocessor to read
blocks of memory more efficiently than in previous
architectures. As a result, the system requires fewer
clock cycles to process groups of instructions, further
accelerating the system's performance.
- Faster DRAM: The system uses 80 nanosecond DRAM to
match the increase in the microprocessor's clock speed
and burst-mode RAM access. Additionally, the ROM code
takes full advantage of the 68030's 256-byte instruction
cache.
- RAM cache connector: The system's built-in cache
connector provides users with the ability to install a
cache card that can increase performance by storing the
most-recently accessed data and instructions in a small
bank of high-speed memory. The microprocessor can read
data and instructions from the cache in fewer clock cycles
than it can read from main memory. A cache card can improve
the performance of a system by up to an additional 30 percent
(for a 75 percent overall increase) in performance, depending
on the configuration and usage. Apple plans to announce a
RAM cache card in early 1990.
Built-in video
The Macintosh IIci computer's built-in video capability
lets users connect a monitor to the system without using a
video card. The built-in video drives a 640-by-480-pixel
screen, such as the AppleColor High-Resolution RGB Monitor
or Apple High-Resolution Monochrome Monitor, at up to 256
colors or gray levels, or a 640-by-870-pixel screen, such
as Apple's Portrait Display, at up to 16 gray levels.
Built-in video for the Macintosh IIci is self-configuring.
Users simply plug in a video cable to the video port.
Built-in video also increases the expansion capabilities
of the system by freeing up a NuBus slot.
Additional features
- 512K of ROM: The Macintosh IIci features 512K of ROM,
which provides support for the new hardware features
(built-in video, burst-mode RAM access, optional cache)
in the Macintosh IIci, and for 32-bit addressing. When
used with System 7, Apple's next major release of Macintosh
system software, the Macintosh IIci will be able to address
up to 4 gigabytes (4 billion bytes) of memory. The ROM
also includes support for 32-Bit QuickDraw, enabling color
systems to display up to 16 million colors simultaneously
with the appropriate graphics card support.
- IIcx design: The Macintosh IIci shares the same
flexible design as the Macintosh IIcx. It has a small
footprint, can be set vertically or horizontally and it
is designed for easy serviceability. It also has the auto-
restart and low noise features of the IIcx.
The hardware features that the Macintosh IIci shares
with the IIcx include three NuBus slots, 1MB to 8MB (up to
32MB with future memory chips), Apple Stereo Sound
capabilities, the internal SuperDrive and an internal
3.5-inch hard disk. As with all other 68030-based
systems, the microprocessor's built-in Paged Memory
Management Unit (PMMU) can be used with A/UX, Apple's
UNIX system and with future versions of the Macintosh
operating system.
- Expansion capabilities: The system also features the
same set of external ports as the IIcx, and includes a
video connector to support the built-in video. Additionally,
by using the Macintosh IIci computer's built-in video
capability customers have all three slots available for
other cards.
The Macintosh IIci can be configured from 1MB up to
8MB of RAM on the logic board and accommodates either 40MB
or 80MB 3.5-inch, half-height hard disks from Apple and
larger disks from third parties. The system can also be
preconfigured with A/UX. Each Macintosh IIci includes a
mouse, System Software 6.0.4, HyperCard 1.2.5, SuperDrive,
and all documentation.
Apple believes the Macintosh IIci will appeal to a
broad range of users who want more power.
Upgrades
Macintosh IIcx customers can upgrade their systems
with a Macintosh IIci Logic Board Upgrade Kit that consists
of the logic board, as well as a bottom case to accommodate
the video connector. The Logic Board Upgrade Kit is scheduled
for release later this year.
Macintosh IIci-specific DRAM kits in 1MB and 4MB
configurations are available immediately for IIci customers
who want to upgrade their systems.
Price and availability
The Macintosh Portable and Macintosh IIci are
available immediately through all authorized Apple
certified dealers and VARs.
Suggested retail prices for the Macintosh Portable
and peripherals:
Macintosh Portable w/1MB RAM/SuperDrive $5,799
Macintosh Portable w/1MB RAM/40MB Hard Disk/SuperDrive $6,499
Macintosh Portable Data Modem 2400 $449
Macintosh Portable 1MB Memory Expansion Kit $649
Macintosh Portable Rechargeable Battery $49
Macintosh Portable Battery Recharger $129
Macintosh Portable Numeric Keypad Module $69
Macintosh Portable SuperDrive Upgrade $499
Macintosh Portable Internal 40SC Hard Disk $1,199
Suggested retails prices for typical Macintosh IIci
configurations:
Macintosh IIci w/1MB RAM/SuperDrive $6,269
Macintosh IIci w/1MB RAM/40MB Hard Disk $6,969
Macintosh IIci w/4MB RAM/80MB Hard Disk $8,669
Macintosh IIci w/4MB RAM/80MB Hard Disk (A/UX installed) $9,152
Macintosh IIci Logic Board Upgrade Kit $2,399
DRAM upgrade kits 1MB: $499; 4MB: $1,999
Keyboards for the Macintosh IIci and all other
peripherals are sold separately.
-30-
Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, HyperCard, ProDOS, AppleTalk,
AppleShare, LaserWriter and A/UX are registered trademarks
of Apple Computer, Inc.
SuperDrive, LocalTalk, AppleColor and QuickDraw are trademarks
of Apple Computer, Inc.
NuBus is a trademark of Texas Instruments.
UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T.
--
Mark B. Johnson AppleLink: mjohnson
Developer Technical Support domain: mjohn...@Apple.com
Apple Computer, Inc. UUCP: {amdahl,decwrl,sun,unisoft}!apple!mjohnson
"You gave your life to become the person you are right now. Was it worth it?"
- Richard Bach, _One_