Collection › Macintosh IIcx

D091 · Apple Heritage Museum · Lugano

Macintosh IIcx

1989 · Mac era Classic Macintosh

Introduced

1989

Original price

$ 5369

Processor

Motorola 68030

Original OS

System 6.0.3

Max OS

Mac OS 7.5.5

1976

1984

1998

2001

2007

2020

2026

Pre-Mac

Mac era

iMac era

iPod era

iPhone era

Silicon

Processor

ProcessorMotorola 68030

Speed16 MHz

Architecture32-bit

Cache256 bytes data, 256 bytes instruction (L1)

System bus16 MHz

Memory & graphics

Standard RAM1 MB or 4 MB

Max RAM128 MB

RAM type30-pin SIMM (120 ns)

Memory slots8 SIMM slots

GPUOptional Apple Macintosh II video card (NuBus)

Storage

Storage40 MB or 80 MB hard drive

Bays1 x 1.44 MB SuperDrive floppy

Connectivity

Audio outStereo 8-bit mini

SCSIDB-25 SCSI

ADB2 ADB ports

Serial2 Mini DIN-8 serial ports

Software

Original OSSystem 6.0.3

Max OSMac OS 7.5.5

Power

Weight13.6 lbs

Dimensionsapprox. 5.5" H x 12" W x 15" D

Max power159 Watts

Expansion slots3 NuBus slots

Identifiers

Model N°M5650

Lifecycle

Introduced1989

Discontinued1991

History

Half a year after the release of the Macintosh IIx, Apple introduced the Macintosh IIcx in 1989. Despite looking very similar to the IIx and offering the same performance, the IIcx was quieter (thanks to a quieter fan and a smaller power supply) compared to its predecessor. The design was made much more compact by reducing the number of NuBus slots from 6 to 3. The new case, the first Apple case designed to function in both horizontal and vertical orientation, remained in use for its successors IIci and Quadra 700. The idea of vertical orientation, one of the first minitower cases, was suggested by Apple CEO John Sculley, who had run out of space on his desk. The model was designated IIcx for compact (following the previous Apple IIc of the compact model of the Apple II series), while the x was Apple's designation for the 68030 processor. Users appreciated the Mac IIcx in part because its components and parts (such as RAM, NuBus slots, and power supply) fit perfectly into the case without the need for screws. There was only a single central security screw that held the assembly together, although it was often not reinstalled if removed. During the IIcx presentation, Jean-Louis Gassée demonstrated the modular design of the IIcx by assembling one from components in front of the audience. This made it less expensive to produce, easier to repair, and earned it significant praise and a warm reception from the Mac community. This model was replaced by the Macintosh IIci which used the same case. The case is unofficially a Snow White design. It could run System 6 and System 7. The case was designed by the Apple Industrial Design Group and, while drawing inspiration from the Snow White design language, made the Macintosh IIcx the first of the computers that the newly formed Apple Industrial Design Group had designed. In 1989 this marked the beginning of the effort to break ties with Frog Design.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh_IIcx · Wikipedia

Trivia

• The Macintosh IIcx was one of the first computers with a vertical orientation (minitower) thanks to an idea from CEO John Sculley, who had little space on his desk and wanted a more compact computer. • During the public presentation, Jean-Louis Gassée live-assembled a Macintosh IIcx by putting together the components in front of the audience, demonstrating its innovative modular design without screws. • The revolutionary design of the IIcx used snap-in components (RAM, NuBus slots and power supply) without the need for screws, making it cheaper to produce, easy to repair, and earning it the appreciation of the Mac community.

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D091 · APPLE HERITAGE MUSEUM · LUGANO

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