Apple started manufacturing its monitors in 1980. Since then, four generations of CRT displays have been introduced, as well as Apple LCDs, which started with the Apple Flat Panel display. Portable displays followed, and at the end of the 20th century, external displays and the first desktop flat-panel display were launched. The Apple Cinema Display, whose first version appeared on the market in August 1999, marked a new era of Apple monitors. Today, Apple Thunderbolt models are the only Apple external displays marketed by the company.
Apple Displays Miscellanea
- Apple Without Monitors: In the 1970s, Apple Computers did not provide monitors to its users. Instead, they suggested consumers use their television sets by plugging them into their Apple computers.
- Up to $6,000 For a Monochrome Monitor: Throughout the 1970s, monochrome monitors were very expensive. The price could reach up to $6,000. Color monitors were very rare, sold at $10,000 and more, and were a luxury device.
- The Very First Apple Monitor: The Apple Monitor III, introduced by Apple Computers in 1980, was the first monitor fabricated by Apple for its business line of machines.
- Apple Monitor II, Successor to the Apple Monitor III: Apple Monitor II was designed by Apple Computers four years after the Apple Monitor III had been launched. Indeed, the Monitor III was introduced in 1980, and the Monitor II was marketed from 1984 to 1993. This numbering, which lead to confusion, is due to the fact that before the Apple Monitor III, it rebadged the Monitor II as the third party manufactured 9” monochrome monitors.
- Apple Monitor II Specs: The Apple Monitor II included adjustments to the size and location of the image on the screen, but they were almost not visible, much to the dislike of the users.
- White Color for Monitor II: The Apple Monitor II was the first monitor to be released in white. It also was the first to use the brand new design style for Apple’s products. This design was known under the brand name of Snow White.
- Mongo Project: The LC 520 display got its start as a design project codenamed “Mongo”. Following the success of the Color Classic, The Apple Industrial Design Group began exploring the adaptation of the Color Classic’s design language, dubbed Espresso, for a larger display version that would also include a CD-ROM drive. However, the Industrial Design Group hated the design so much that they permanently shelved the final concept. In 1992, Apple CEO John Sculley demanded a large screen all-in-one design to fill out his market strategy. Apple’s engineering team retrieved the shelved design and promptly put it into production. The Industrial Design Group began the re-design project that would become the Power Macintosh 5200 LC series less than two years later.
- First Mac with Color Capabilities: The Mac II was the first Mac with color capabilities. Indeed, this desktop computer could use a graphics card capable of handling up to 16.7 million colors. It originally sold for $3,898 for the basic system, and at $5,498 for 1 MB of RAM, one 800K floppy disk drive, and one 40 MB internal SCSI hard disk drive. However, the monitor was not included in that price, and users had to pay up to $9,000 for the complete configuration back in 1987.
- Quick Take: Apple Inc. was the first company to design and launch a consumer digital camera, Quick Take. Its display was based on technology conceived and developed for the first color Apple monitors. It was first marketed in 1994.
- Apple G3: The blue and white G3’s case design was widely praised in 1999 for being easy to open up and work on. The entire right side of the case was a door that hinged down by pulling a recessed latch at the top. The logic board was positioned in the door, providing easy access to all components. No components needed to be removed or unplugged. In fact, users could do it with the computer running. There was room for four internal hard drives which were mounted in a bracket affixed with one screw on the floor of the case. This made the drives both easily accessible and improved their cooling by keeping them away from the heat-producing CPU and power supply. Removable drives were in a more conventional position at the top of the case. An internal fan was positioned at the side of the case to blow cooling air over them.
Links
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