Macintosh 512Ke

Mac_specs|
April 14, 1986|MSRP=2000|CPU=Motorola 68000
CPUspeed=8 MHz|OS=1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 2.1, "3.0", 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.0, 4.1 [ [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=5356 System Software: Configs for Mac 128K, XL, 512, & 512KE (7/94) ] ] , 4.2, 4.3, 6.0–7.0.1|RAM=512 KB|RAMtype=built-in|Discontinued=September 1, 1987
ModelNumber=M0001EThe Macintosh 512K "enhanced (512K"e")" was introduced as a cheaper alternative to the top-of-the-line Macintosh Plus. [ [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=1970 Macintosh 512Ke: Specifications (Discontinued) (8/94) ] ] It was the same as the Macintosh 512K but with the 800K disk drive and 128K of ROM like the Plus. Like its predecessors, there was little room for expansion. Some companies did create memory upgrades that would bring the machine up to 2 MB or more.

Model Differences

Originally, the case was identical to its predecessor, except for the model number listed on the rear bucket's agency approval label. It used the same beige-like color as well. But like the Macintosh Plus, at some point in 1987 the 512K"e" adopted the standard Apple "Platinum" color, as well as the exact same case-front design as the Plus (without the name), though keeping its original rear bucket. Additionally, during its life-span, it was heavily discounted and offered to the educational market badged as the "Macintosh ED" (M0001D & later M0001ED). [ [http://macdownunder.no-ip.info/Platinum512ke/ Platinum512ke ] ] The 512K"e" shipped with the original short Macintosh Keyboard, but the extended Macintosh Plus Keyboard with built-in numeric keypad could be purchased optionally. [ [http://www.mac512.com/macwebpages/plusupkit.htm Macintosh Plus Upgrade Kits ] ] A version of the 512K"e" sold outside of North America only included the full keyboard and marketed as the "Macintosh 512K/800" Model No. M0001D. [ [http://web.mac.com/pjlarge/iWeb/PJLarge/The%20Computer%20Museum.html The Computer Museum ] ] Later it would be included standard in North America as well.

Despite the fact the 512K"e" included the same new 128K ROMs and 800K disk drive as the Mac Plus, it retained the same port configuration as the original Mac. Therefore, even though its ROM allowed it to make use of the new SCSI standard, unlike the Plus, it did not include a built-in SCSI port. Thus the 512K"e" was forced to use the slower Hard Disk 20 or similar products as its only options for using a hard drive. However, Apple endorsed certain third-party products which could be added to the 512K to provide a SCSI port. [ [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2417 Macintosh 512K: Adding a SCSI Port ] ]

Official Upgrades

A Macintosh 512K could be upgraded to a 512K"e" by purchasing and installing Apple's $299 "Macintosh Plus Disk Drive Kit". This included the following:
* 800 KB double-sided floppy disk drive to replace the original 400 kB single-sided drive
* 128 KB ROM chips to replace original 64 KB ROM
* Macintosh Plus System Tools disk with updated system software
* Installation guideOne further OEM upgrade replaced the logicboard and the rear case (to accommodate the different port configuration) with that of the Macintosh Plus which essentially added built-in SCSI functionality and up to 4MB RAM. As Apple's official upgrades tended to command a premium, many third party manufactures offered add-on SCSI cards as well as RAM upgrades to achieve the same functionality. The new ROM allowed the computer to run much newer system and application software and though it loaded more data into RAM it only slightly decreased the amount of available memory by 1.5K, leaving well over 370K available for applications. [ [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=1990 Macintosh 512K ROM Upgrade: Memory Available ] ]

ystem Software

After June 1986, the 512K"e" shipped with System 3.2. After it was discontinued, Apple changed the recommended OS for the 512K"e" to System 4.1. System 6.0.8 is the maximum OS for the 512K"e".Fact|date=December 2007

ee also

* Macintosh Plus
* Macintosh SE
* Macintosh 128K/512K technical details

References

External links

* [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=112166 Macintosh 512K"e" technical specifications] at apple.com
* [http://www.mac512.com/macwebpages/512ke.htm 512Ke information page] mac512.com
* [http://www.mac128.com/m0001 The M0001 Registry] Owners of Vintage Macintosh
* [http://homepage.mac.com/chinesemac/earlymacs/#Plus_hardware Apple Macintosh Before System 7] Original 512K"e" Hardware & Packaging DetailsNavbox with columns
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