AppleDesign Powered Speakers II (dark gray, silver logo, 1993)

The data sheet that Apple provided for the AppleDesign Powered Speakers II described them as “audiophile-quality…designed to work perfectly with virtually any personal computer, portable CD player or audio cassette player and with any television that supports sound output.”

Similarly, Apple’s Service Source repair manual lists system compatibility as “Any Macintosh computer, any personal computer equipped for sound output, any CD player or audio cassette player, or any television supporting sound output.”

The arc-sliding design of the rear speaker leg allowed the speakers to be adjusted to various angles. The power and volume controls were located in the front of the right speaker, and an included cable with 3.5 mm plugs connected the two speakers. An external headphone port was also located on the front of the right speaker. A stereo audio input port was located on the rear of the right speaker.

The speakers delivered 90 dB at 0.5m at 200Hz. Each speaker measures 6.8 inches tall, 4.1 inches wide, and 3.9 inches deep.

These AppleDesign Powered Speakers II are dark gray with a silver metallic Apple logo at the top-center of each speaker. The dark gray (almost black) color matched the PowerBook laptop colors of the time and Apple’s PowerCD. The speakers were also available in beige (platinum) to match Apple desktop computers sold at the time.

The AppleDesign Powered Speakers II were discontinued in 1995.

Sources: PicClick, Apple Repair Manuals, Silicon Features

Macintosh Centris 650 (1993)

The Macintosh Centris 650 has the distinction of being Apple’s Macintosh product with the shortest lifespan (along with the Centris 610). The Centris 650 and 610 were introduced on February 10, 1993, and discontinued on October 21, 1993—a lifespan of only 253 days. The short life resulted from a technicality when Apple made the decision in late 1993 to follow a new naming scheme for all their products: “Quadra” for business, “LC” for education, and “Performa” for home. As a result of the name change, the Macintosh Centris 650 became the Macintosh Quadra 650.

The Centris computers were introduced as Apple’s midrange offerings in 1993 as replacements to the Macintosh IIci and Quadra 700. The Centris 650 used a Motorola 25MHz 68040 or 68LC040 chip and could run System 7.1, up through and including Mac OS 8.1 (without a PowerPC upgrade).

The Centris 650 includes onboard video with VGA support via an adapter, 3 NuBus slots, two ADB ports, two serial ports, an external SCSI connector, and a 5.25-inch drive bay. This was one of the earliest Macintosh computers to be available with an internal CD-ROM drive (an AppleCD 300i model).

According to MacWorld in April 1993, five configurations were available:

  • 25 MHz 68LC040, 4 MB RAM (on board), 512 KB VRAM, 80 MB HDD, no Ethernet
  • 25 MHz 68040, 8 MB RAM (on board), 512 KB VRAM, 80 MB HDD, Ethernet
  • 25 MHz 68040, 8 MB RAM (on board), 512 KB VRAM, 230 MB HDD, Ethernet
  • 25 MHz 68040, 8 MB RAM (on board), 1 MB VRAM, 230 MB HDD, Ethernet, AppleCD 300i and microphone
  • 25 MHz 68040, 24 MB RAM (including 8 MB on board), 1 MB VRAM, 500 MB HDD, Ethernet

Sources: Wikipedia, Low End Mac (naming, specs), MacWorld (via Internet Archive)

The Apple Catalog (Spring 1993)

The Apple Catalog opens with the description:

“In this catalog, you’ll read about a lot of tremendously useful products. Products that could change your life. You’ll also read about the way some people really did change their lives—and a lot of other peoples’ lives—in significant ways.”

The Table of Contents includes:

  • Color Classic—Introducing the Macintosh Color Classic computer
  • Color made easy—Scan it, display it, and print it—all in color
  • PowerBook computers—Macintosh power in a notebook size
  • PowerBook accessories—Carrying cases, batteries, rechargers, and more
  • Printers—StyleWriter and ImageWriter printers and accessories
  • Laser printers—Personal LaserWriter NTR and LS printers and accessories
  • Desktop publishing—New tools for the black-and-white publisher
  • Multimedia—Bring full-color video, sound, and animation to your Macintosh screen
  • Disability solutions—Tools for people with disabilities
  • Software—Word processing, drawing, page layout, presentations, and more
  • Learning and communicating—Self-paced training, technical support, and communications software
  • Networks—Networking software and cables
  • Compatibility—How Macintosh works with other systems: AUX, SNA•ps, and MacX
  • Macintosh security—Anti-glare filters, security kits, and system savers
  • Macintosh add-ons—Keyboards, mice, and disk holders
  • Desk accessories—Accents for the well-appointed office
  • Apple wear—Apple clothing and accessories
  • Apple II, too—Products and accessories for Apple II computers
  • The Apple II on Macintosh—Plus a library of useful manuals

The Apple Catalog from Spring 1993 measures 9.125 x 11 inches and is printed in full color on a matte finish paper.

Source: Apple

Making Connections: Learning, Language, and Technology VHS tape (1993)

This VHS tape is in a bright red cardboard case and is titled, Making Connections: Learning, Language, and Technology. The cover of the VHS tape indicates that:

“This video is cosponsored by Apple Computer, Inc., the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE), and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).”

Three schools are featured in this video, Sneed Elementary (Alief, Texas); Marine Park Middle School (Brooklyn, New York), and Santa Fé Indian School (Santa Fé, New Mexico). The box provides a description of the program:

“Technology can be a powerful tool in helping students master their first or second language. This video demonstrates how multimedia technologies enhance the eurriculum in ESL (English as a Second language) and Bilingual classrooms around the United States. The schools featured effectively demonstrate how technology helps develop the literacy skills of students at different levels of language development.”

Source: Apple

Apple User Group Connection items (1992-1993)

These two folders are printed with a logotype for the Apple User Group Connection program. Both include stickers that indicate they are for the Community/Education Edition of the program.

The folders are made of heavy white card stock with a matte finish, measure 9 x 12 inches, and the unique design of the inside back pocket allowed the pocket to expand to about 3/8 inch.

The interior of the folders are filled with 8.5 x 11-inch printed materials, brochures, and a book. Both folders included letters from the Apple User Group Connection instructing groups leaders to participate in some aspect of the program.

The included paperback book is titled Just Add Water: Community/Education Edition. The book describes itself on the cover as “A guide for starting, sustaining, and enjoying an Apple User Group in your community, university, or K-12 school district.” The back cover includes, “Inside you will find insights and proven tips on developing and maintaining programs that successfully serve members’ needs. Just Add Water, Community/Education Edition draws on the experiences of many successful User Groups.”

The folders also include three different issues of Quick Connect: The Apple Newsletter for Apple User Groups. The issues contain articles on Apple products, Apple leadership, education, and enterprise. The three issues in this collection are from May/June 1993, January/February 1993, and March/April 1993.

In addition to the folders and their contents, this User Group Connection collection also includes nine letters addressed to user group leaders using various salutations (e.g., Dear Apple User Group Ambassador, Dear K–12 Apple User Group Ambassador, Dear Education SIG Leader, etc.) [SIG = Special Interest Group]. The letters describe new programs, features, products, and other information pertaining to the User Groups. This collection is dated between 1992–1993.

Source: Apple

APDA Tools for Developers magazine (February 1993)

Before Apple’s software developer program was referred to as “Apple Developer Program” (sometimes stylized as  Developer), the original developer program was started in 1980 by user group in the Pacific Northwest of the United States—the Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) User Group. The user group still exists as of 2023 and its website indicates:

“The Apple Programmers and Developers Association, or APDA, was started in 1980 by Don Williams in coordination with Apple, Inc. and A.P.P.L.E. The resulting tools produced by APDA were the tools with which all Apple programs have come to be and the resulting magazine which was produced quarterly was aptly named the APDAlog.”

Nearly a decade later, Apple reportedly purchased APDA. According to A.P.P.L.E.:

“In 1989, Apple Computer, Inc. bought APDA from A.P.P.L.E. for $3 Million and Apple began producing the APDA Log. The issues shown in this section are the ones produced by A.P.P.L.E. prior to Apple’s take over of the APDA.”

This magazine’s title is APDA Tools for Developers and was published by Apple in February 1993 as a successor to the APDA Log. This issue contains the following sections and articles:

  • What’s New: New and updated products
  • Getting Started in Macintosh Programming: Your first steps begin here
  • Essentials: Self-paced training courses, Technical Notes, Getting Started bundles, and more.
  • E.T.O.: Essentials, Tools, Objects: A subscription-based collection of powerful Apple development tools
  • Macintosh Programmer’s Workshop: This powerful development platform offers the flexibility you need
  • Object-Oriented Programming: MacApp, Macintosh Common Lisp, and other OOP tools and environments
  • Media Integration: QuickTime and other multimedia software development products
  • Apple UNIX Tools: A/UX development tools
  • Programming Languages & Libraries: Develop applications for the Macintosh with C, Pascal, and more
  • Debuggers & Supplemental Tools: MacsBug, Virtual User, ResEdit, and other programming tools
  • Networking & Communications: Extend your reach with DAL, MacTCP, MacX25, MacX.400, and SNA•ps
  • Hardware
  • Books & References

The magazine measures 8.5 x 10.75 inches.

Source: A.P.P.L.E.

Apple product poster (July 1993)

This fold-out poster is from July 1993 and lists product names and feature grids of every Apple product available at the time. Its headline reads “Everything you need to know about Apple products” in Apple Garamond, Apple’s corporate font used between 1984 and 2003. Folded, the poster measures 8.5 x 11 inches—but it unfolds into 16 panels to reveal a 34-inch wide x 44-inch long poster (nearly 3 x 4 feet).

The poster is printed on one side and includes the following product categories:

  • Macintosh Computers (25 options)
  • PowerBook Computers (11 options)
  • Displays (9 options)
  • Printers (12 options)
  • Networking
  • Peripherals

The list of devices offered included separate devices with different names and configurations—creating a dizzying array of options for consumers.

I was able to unfold this poster, perhaps for the first time, carefully enough to provide a photo from above that offers high enough resolution to read most of the grids.

The poster is printed on heavy white paper (yellowing slightly with age), primarily with black ink and dark green accents.

Source: Apple

StartingLine: Apple Marketing Communications Catalog (Spring 1993)

This catalog is titled StartingLine: Apple Marketing Communications Catalog and was released in Spring 1993. It measures 8.5 x 11 inches and is spiral-bound with white plastic. The front and back covers feature colorful, brush-stroke stylized graphics of the types of products featured in the catalog. The cover describes the contents of the catalog as containing:

Ad Slicks
Literature
Product Art
Merchandise
Photography
Videos
Data Sheets
Over 150 new items to choose from

The Table of Contents reveals four major sections: Product Materials, Merchandising, Markets and Solutions, and Additional Information. The catalog provides a welcome message:

“Welcome to the Spring 1993 edition of StartingLine, Apple’s marketing communications catalog. As you can see, there have been some exciting changes. We’ve combined the Print, Revue, Merch, and Video catalogs into a single volume with hundreds of new items to line up to all your marketing and sales support programs. Plus, as always, we’ve included a completely updated Apple Media ToolKit CD-ROM, Apple’s electronic source for customizable marketing communications materials.”

For a collector, the Merchandising section of this catalog is a treasure trove of Apple-logo item information from the time. Included below are photos of the entire Merchandising section that provide product shots and descriptions. This source has allowed me to confirm provenance, date, and an “official” description for several items in my collection.

Source: Apple

Apple Education Event Materials Folder, “Managing Technology in the 90’s” (1995)

If you are an educational leader who wants to learn about managing technology—in 1995—this historic snapshot is for you!

This glossy white folder (measuring 9.25 x 11.75 inches) has a metallic red Apple logo in the lower-right corner and contains everything that was used in an Apple Education event on August 3, 1995, titled “Managing Technology in the 90’s.” This was one of three events held in Illinois (Drury Lane Theatre, Oak Brook Terrace) during August 1995.

The folder contains the following items:

  • Embossed invitation to the event
  • Agenda
  • 2 brochures: Recommended Products At a Glance, Apple Education Series At a Glance
  • 3 handouts: Finding the Promise of Educational Technology (David Dwyer, 1993); Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow Research: Teacher Beliefs and Practices; and a Bibliography of Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow sources
  • Packet of detailed information about Apple devices available at the time
  • Apple Facts (product booklet, April 1995)
  • Pad of paper for note taking

Apple Education’s aims at the time—ideas that are still viable today—were discussed in one of the brochures:

“Welcome to the Apple Education Series. We know that educators today are eager to integrate technology into the classroom. But that need requires more than just a computer—you need well-thought-out, education-specific products and programs that include hardware, software, technical support, and curriculum tools flexible enough to accommodate different teaching styles and individual student needs.”

Source: Apple

AppleCD 150 (1993)

The AppleCD 150 was among a few nearly identical SCSI-connected external CD-ROM drives manufactured by Apple. All AppleCD models used a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface, pronounced “scuzzy”) connection. According to PC Magazine, SCSI was “used in mainframes, servers and storage arrays in the late 1980s and 1990s… The SCSI bus connects up to 15 devices in a daisy chain topology, and any two can communicate at one time: host-to-peripheral and peripheral-to-peripheral.”

The AppleCD had a 1x Read-Only CD-ROM that could read CDs with with up to 750 MB of data. Ports on the back of the device included two 50-pin Centronics SCSI connectors, red and white audio RCA connectors, and device power input. A front input included a mini-headphone audio jack. The AppleCD could read five CD formats: CD-Audio, CD-ROM, HFS, ProDOS, and High Sierra.

To insert a CD in the AppleCD 150, a “CD Caddy” was required. The CD Caddy was a tray that slid out of the CD-ROM drive and required the user to pinch the edges of the tray to open a clear plastic hinged lid, insert the CD-ROM, and then slide the tray into the drive so it could be read by the drive.

Several models of the AppleCD drive were made, including the SC, SC Plus, 150, 300, 300e, 300i plus, 600i, 600e plus, and 1200i.

Source: Wikipedia, PCMag