Happy Birthday, Macintosh! The Iconic Computer Turns 41

The Macintosh, introduced by Apple 41 years ago, revolutionized personal computing by making graphical user interfaces and point-and-click navigation mainstream. Launched on January 24, 1984, the Macintosh was the first widely successful personal computer to feature a mouse and on-screen icons, making it far easier to use than text-based command-line systems. Apple’s marketing emphasized its simplicity, claiming it required only a few hours to learn, and highlighted its potential to enhance both productivity and creativity.

Priced at $2,495 (equivalent to over $7,000 today), the original Macintosh came with an 8 MHz Motorola 68000 processor, 128 KB of RAM (expandable to 512 KB), a 9-inch black-and-white CRT display with a 512×342-pixel resolution, and a 400 KB 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. Its compact design and features like multitasking windows, drop-down menus, and copy-and-paste functionality were groundbreaking.

Bundled software included MacPaint and MacWrite. MacPaint introduced advanced graphic tools, such as pattern fills and brushes, enabling users to create detailed black-and-white drawings. MacWrite, a WYSIWYG word processor, allowed real-time editing and drag-and-drop functionality, setting a new standard for word processing.

The Macintosh debuted with the iconic “1984” Super Bowl commercial, directed by Ridley Scott, which framed the computer as a revolutionary product against the conformity of IBM-dominated computing. The campaign helped solidify the Macintosh’s legacy as a game-changing innovation.

While modern Macs have evolved significantly, many foundational features of the original Macintosh remain relevant today. Its introduction marked a pivotal moment in computing history, combining advanced technology with user-friendly design to expand the accessibility and appeal of personal computers.

Filed in Computers. Read more about Apple.