Macintosh M0001 Vintage Computers & Mainframes

Frequently Asked Questions About the Macintosh M0001

The Macintosh M0001 is the original version of the Macintosh personal computer that came out in 1984. Called simply the Apple Macintosh at the time, the computer is an important part of electronic history. By purchasing this hardware on eBay, you can experience the Macintosh as it was originally meant to be used.

What should you look for in a used Macintosh?

Obviously, due to the age of the system, the Macintosh may come in a variety of working states. Some computers may be fully operational from the moment of purchase while others may require some work. If the computer is not yet in a functional condition, then you can still buy individual parts such as the CPU or RAM separately.

How many different Macintosh models are available?

Apple released two models of the Macintosh in 1984. The first version of the computer is frequently known as the Macintosh 128K. It is named after the 128KB of RAM that was built into the system. The second version of the computer, released in September of the same year, is known as the Macintosh 512K. As the name implies, this computer model has 512KB of RAM. It can be identified by the name M0001W. Other than the amount of RAM, however, the two systems are almost exactly the same. Two other variations of the Macintosh were released in 1986. They include the Macintosh Plus, also known as the M0001A, and the cheaper alternative, the Macintosh 512Ke, also known as the M0001E. Both systems have a larger floppy drive. The Macintosh Plus specifically has 1MB of RAM, which is expandable up to 4MB.

What are some features of the original Macintosh?

The original Macintosh features a single casing for the monitor and internal parts similar to an all-in-one desktop. It comes with the following features:

  • Monitor: The Macintosh consists of a beige-colored casing with a 9-inch black-and-white CRT monitor built in. The monitor has a resolution of 512x342 pixels. A handle located on the top of the casing makes it easier to carry.
  • Floppy drive: The 3.5-inch floppy drive is the main means of storage on the computer. Each disk holds approximately 400 KB of data. The Macintosh Plus and 512Ke hold 800 KB of data.
  • Processor: The Macintosh features a Motorola 68000 processor that operates at approximately 7.8 MHz.
  • Peripherals: Printer and modem ports are built into the back of the computer.
  • Mouse and keyboard: A standard mouse and keyboard came with the system. Both used a proprietary D-sub connection. If your computer system does not come with a mouse or keyboard, then you can still purchase them separately.