The iPod U2 Special Edition is a fourth generation iPod with a black front case (instead of white) and a red Click Wheel. On the back of the iPod U2 Special Edition, autographs of all four members of the band U2 are etched along with their printed names: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.
This is the first of three iPod U2 Special Edition devices. The second version was based upon the iPod Color (iPod with Color Display), while the third versions were based upon the iPod Fifth Generation (iPod Video) and iPod Fifth Generation Enhanced. All models feature the same custom colors and engraved autographs.
The iPod U2 Special Edition (Generation 4) shipped with a poster and $50-off coupon for the complete U2 downloadable box set.
I purchased my version of this iPod from a co-worker, and I do not have the original box, poster, coupon, or earbuds.
After the original iMac which was available only in “Bondi” blue, a second and third generation of CRT iMac using the same basic design became available in five colors. While the original Bondi blue Mac was a greenish blue and named after a popular Australian surfing beach, the second and third generation were named for fruit colors: lime, strawberry, blueberry, grape, and tangerine. Although the colors were named for fruits, the shades were arguably unfruitlike. Like the original iMac, the case was translucent, rather than completely transparent.
This blueberry iMac example is a G3/333MHz model very similar to the 266 MHz “Revision B” iMac that preceded it in the same year (1999). This iMac G3/333 had a larger hard drive and lacked the “Mezzanine” port.
Also note that this iteration of iMac included a matching Apple USB Keyboard (M2452) and Apple USB Mouse (M4848). The mouse was often criticized for its circular, “hockey puck” shape with critics claiming it was difficult to locate the top button since the shape was a circle. In this revision, Apple added a dimple to the top of the mouse to help address this issue.
When I first visited the Apple Park Visitor Center in December 2017, one of several displays caught my eye. The Visitor Center includes an Apple Store, one of only two Apple Stores that sells Apple logo items to the public. (The other Apple Store that sells Apple logo items is the Infinite Loop Apple Store; each location has a different selection of logo items.)
I was quite enamored by the Apple Memory Cards display at the Apple Park Visitor Center. The Memory Cards feature six colors with four designs, each with a white silhouette of an Apple product. All cards have a black back. There are two of each design, for a total of 48 cards. In the Apple Park Visitor Center store, they are arranged as a wreath floating on the wall. I took several photos showing how the wreath is constructed. In Apple’s display, they use a perfectly initiated wood ring with each card affixed with black doubled-sided tape.
Somewhat oddly, the display at the Apple Visitor Center (and the one I made to replicate it) includes 30 cards; however, the deck only includes 24 different designs. Thus, each color displays four unique designs and one duplicate. Since I was creating a near-reproduction of the display, I went with 30 cards.
Since I do not have the facilities or expertise to construct a perfect oak ring with angled cuts, I put my creativity and problem-solving skills to work to find a relatively inexpensive and widely available substitute that I could construct. For a while, I considered designing a 3-D printed ring in pieces, but a far lower-tech solution hit me one day: binder clips. Standing in for angled cuts in a custom oak ring, I decided to use binder clips affixed with foam tape. Since I didn’t want to permanently damage the Memory Cards, I affixed each card to the metal binder clip with rare earth neodymium magnets. (I used one of my sets of Buckycube magnets. Even though this product is no longer available in the USA, other neodymium magnets can still be purchased on Amazon and elsewhere.)
I began by making a template using the drawing features in Pages. I have included the template, materials/supplies list, and directions here if you wish to make your own version. I’m guessing most people could complete the project for $30–60, depending on many factors. The Apple Memory Cards cost $10 and the IKEA frame is $14.99, but the neodymium magnets can be expensive. If you are willing to use foam adhesive or some other adhesion method, your cost could come in far lower since the 2 main elements here are binder clips and the Memory Cards.
Remove the clear plastic front from the IKEA frame. You will not use it for this project.
Cut a strong backing for the frame on which you will mount the binder clips and cards. I used black foam core board from Staples, cut to size with an X-acto blade and metal ruler.
Print the template. I used 11×17 paper, but you could also print it on 2 sheets of any size paper and tape it together.
Cut out each rectangle with an X-acto blade. The template is used as a guide and will be discarded so the rectangle cuts do not need to be perfect—you just need to get the angles right so you can align the binder clips precisely.
Remove the silver wires from 30 small binder clips. (I used black binder clips on my black background, but if I could have found 30 small white binder clips, I’d have used a white background.)
Using a ruler and Post-It tabs, position the template exactly in the center of the backing. (You could use any removable tape for this, I had Post-It tabs on hand.)
Using double-sided foam adhesive, stick each binder clip to the backing using the holes cut from the template. Make sure the angles and placement are precise. I used an X-acto blade to trim the double-sided foam adhesive to match the size of each binder clip.
Assemble the frame with the binder clips facing up. (The front plastic/glass is not used.)
Attach one card to each binder clip using a small neodymium magnet. The angle of the binder clips and the overlap of the cards will cover the binder clips when viewed from the front. (You could stick the Memory Cards to the binder clips with other methods; I chose magnets to not potentially destroy the cards.)
Apple originally released the MacBook in 2006 as a followup to the iBook line of laptops. The MacBook was the first laptop to use the MagSafe connector, a power connector that attached to the laptop with a magnet that easily broke free to prevent the power cord from pulling the laptop off a table or a lap.
I own both a black and white version of the first-generation MacBook. White MacBook laptops have two finishes: the outer case is glossy and prone to light scratches; the inside is a flatter and has a less reflective white finish.
Apple originally released the MacBook in 2006 as a follow-up to various iBook laptop iterations. The MacBook was the first laptop to use the MagSafe connector, a power connector that attached to the laptop with a magnet that easily broke free to prevent the power cord from pulling the laptop off a table or a lap.
The first-generation MacBook was made of polycarbonate and was available in glossy white or matte black.
I own both a black and white version of the first-generation MacBook. To purchase it new, the black model was just over $100 more than the white version for no other reason than it came in black. At the time, all other Mac models were white or silver.
Long before the iPod, Apple released the PowerCD, a CD player that could play audio, read data CDs, and display Kodak photo CDs. The device could connect to both computers and TVs. The PowerCD was also portable since it could be powered by batteries, but a set of powered speakers were necessary for it to be used as a portable music player.
The PowerCD was Apple’s first stand-alone product for consumers that did not require a computer to operate; however, it was designed and manufactured by Philips (the unit is a Philips CDF-100). Apple’s version was produced in the dark gray color used at the time for PowerBooks and included Apple fonts with the classic rainbow logo.
I acquired my PowerCD on eBay and was thrilled that it came in excellent condition. Since this device is not well known, I did my best to show all its angles, disassembled components, and the included remote control.
The eMac was released in 2002 as the final CRT-based all-in-one Mac. It was manufactured for a relatively long time—just over 4 years—and was discontinued in 2006. Although the design is similar to the CRT iMac, it lacks a handle and was extremely difficult to move with a weight of 50 pounds. In addition, the screen size is larger than the original iMac and the eMac features a G4 processor, making it significantly faster.
The eMac was intended to be an education-only Mac, but its popularity, power, and lower price made it attractive to the consumer market. When the eMac was released, the second-generation iMac had just been introduced with a flat-panel display on an adjustable chrome arm. At the time, LCD screens were considerably more expensive than CRT screens so an eMac could be purchased for $999, while second-generation iMac cost $1,299.
The eMac in my collection was manufactured in 2003. Almost 10 years after I acquired my eMac, I was able to get an Apple eMac Tilt and Swivel Stand (M8784G/A). The stand is attached to the bottom of the eMac to both raise it to a more comfortable viewing height and allow it to easily tilt.
I acquired my Macintosh TV in the early 2000s in an eBay purchase. This 1993 Macintosh is said to be among the most rare with sources reporting between 8,000 and 10,000 manufactured. The machine is based upon the Macintosh LC 520, but it came standard with a TV and FM tuner card with a remote control. The computer was Apple’s first computer to ship standard with a cable-ready (BNC port) television built in.
One of the rare elements about this computer is that it was all black, including the ADB mouse and keyboard, both the standard issue at the time of manufacture. At the time, all other Macintosh computers were beige.
The CD player uses a tray cartridge design. To insert a CD, you remove the tray, open the clear plastic tray lid, insert the CD, and then insert the tray cartridge into the CD slot. The CD slot is labeled “CD Caddy.”
When I did the photo shoot for my Macintosh TV, I noticed that rust had formed around the serial and printer ports in the back of the computer. I removed the back and slid out the motherboard to found that the internal battery had ruptured and corroded many of the surrounding parts. I cleaned the inside of the board and removed the battery. I also didn’t attempt to start the computer since several components on the board were affected.
I began collecting Apple computers, accessories, and collectibles in the 1990s. When iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch devices were introduced, I began to collect those items as well. About twenty-five years later, I have an extensive collection of all things Apple.
Beginning in late 2018, I began to document and catalog my collection. I use a Nikon D3500 (with 18–35mm lens), iPhone 12 Pro Max, a basic lighting setup, and a white IKEA table. Blog entries include information, photos, and personal commentary. My Instagram account that features highlights from this collection.
