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Jan 16

Original Macintosh computer (1984)

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The original Macintosh computer, released in 1984, featured a compact all-in-one design, innovative mouse and user-friendly graphical user interface. It came with 128KB of RAM and zipped along with an 8-MHz processor.

Photo by Marco Mioli, courtesy “All About Apple,” licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or later

written by Christoph Dernbach

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Mac vs. DOS

The fact is that the world is divided between users of the Macintosh computer and users of MS-DOS compatible computers. I am firmly of the opinion that the Macintosh is Catholic and that DOS is Protestant. Indeed, the Macintosh is counter-reformist and has been influenced by the ratio studiorum of the Jesuits. It is cheerful, friendly, conciliatory; it tells the faithful how they must proceed step by step to reach -- if not the kingdom of Heaven -- the moment in which their document is printed. It is catechistic: The essence of revelation is dealt with via simple formulae and sumptuous icons. Everyone has a right to salvation.

Umberto Eco

The nature of the personal computer is simply not fully understood by companies like Apple (or anyone else for that matter). Apple makes the arrogant assumption of thinking that it knows what you want and need. It, unfortunately, leaves the “why” out of the equation — as in “why would I want this?” The Macintosh uses an experimental pointing device called a ‘mouse’. There is no evidence that people want to use these things. I dont want one of these new fangled devices.

John C. Dvorak, San Francisco Examiner, 19 Feb. 1984