ed tech | design | music
Apple’s DVI to VGA Adapter shipped with the original Mac mini (2005). Because the original Mac mini Video out port was designed for displays that use a DVI connector, the computer also shipped with this compact DVI to VGA Adapter. This adapter allowed the Mac mini to work with a then-standard VGA display.
Source: Apple, EveryMac
The iBook G4 (Mid-2005) featured a 1.33 GHz PowerPC G4 processor, 512 MB of RAM, a 40 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive, a slot-loading DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive, and standard AirPort Extreme (802.11g)/Bluetooth 2.0. The screen was a 12.1-inch TFT XGA active matrix display at 1024×768. The case was opaque white, rather than the translucent white used in earlier iBook models.
This iBook model added a Sudden Motion Sensor and scrolling trackpad. The Sudden Motion Sensor stopped the hard drive from spinning if the iBook was dropped, thus minimizing damage and potential data loss. This was the first consumer-level Apple laptop to gain scrolling trackpad features, allowing users to use two-finger scrolling and two-fingering panning (a feature first introduced in PowerBook G4 laptops).
This and other iBook models were used extensively in the schools where I served as Technology Director among teachers and students. At the time, 1:1 laptop programs had just been adopted in a few school districts (where every student is issued a laptop for learning throughout the school day). At the time of the iBook G4, only one public school district in Chicago’s North Shore had adopted a 1:1 program for students, while most school districts had begun to issue laptops to staff and administrators.
References: EveryMac.com
The original Apple Remote had a design resembling the original iPod shuffle. The remote had six buttons. In a circular layout at the top, five buttons included Play/Pause/Select (center), Volume Up, Next/Fast-forward, Volume Down, and Previous/Rewind. A round Menu button was centered below the circular layout.
The remote was white with a black top. The IR emitter was placed behind the black top. This remote was powered by a CR2032 battery accessed by inserting a thin wire (such as a paper clip) to release a battery “drawer.”
The Apple Remote was designed to navigate Apple’s Front Row multimedia system built into Mac computers at the time. Front Row allowed users to browse and play music in iTunes, view videos saved on the Mac in iTunes, play DVDs, and browse photos in iPhoto. The Front Row system was removed from macOS in Mac OS X version 10.7, but the Apple Remote could continue be used to control Keynote presentations, play movies in QuickTime, and control iTunes.
The original Apple Remote could also control an iPod in an iPod Dock with IR capabilities and the iPod Hi-Fi.
Early models of the white flat panel iMac included a magnet on the lower-right side to attach the Apple Remote. The iMac Mid-2007 model removed this feature.
These Apple Remote devices are unopened in two different types of packaging. Both shipped along with other Apple devices. I also have several remotes of this style no longer in the packaging.
Reference: Wikipedia.com
The Mighty Mouse was the first Apple mouse to have multiple buttons. The buttons consisted of two touch-sensitive areas on the top of the mouse and two “squeeze areas” on the sides of the mouse. Because it had no physical buttons, the entire body of the mouse could be clicked. The top of the mouse also had a mini free-spinning track ball that allowed scrolling in any direction.
The Mighty Mouse was opaque white with light gray touch-sensitive squeeze areas. The mini trackball on top was also light gray.
Mighty Mouse makes a sound when the scroll ball is rolled that is produced by a tiny internal speaker in the mouse. The sound cannot be disabled by settings.
In October 2009, Apple renamed the Mighty Mouse the “Apple Mouse” due to legal issues regarding the name. Although Apple had licensed the Mighty Mouse name from CBS (a cartoon character originating in 1942), another company had been selling a “mighty mouse” product before Apple. This is an example of Apple’s sometimes-confusing naming practices. in this case, Apple returned to using the name of a previous product (from 2003) that had a different design and different features.
Source: Wikipedia.com, arstechnica.com
The Mac mini G4 featured a 1.42 GHz G4 processor, 256 MB of SDRAM memory, an 80 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive, and a slot-loading 8X DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive. This is the original Mac mini and was sold as a budget Mac that came with no display, keyboard, or mouse. This computer was a great low-cost option for someone switching from Windows to Mac who already owned a display and USB keyboard and mouse.
The Mac mini G4 had ports including DVI (with a DVI-to-VGA adapter included), USB 2.0, FireWire, and a headphone/line out jack. The original Mac mini supported a wireless AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth card as an option. After July 26, 2005, AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth were provided standard.
The entire computer was 6.5 inches square, 2 inches tall, and weighed 2.9 pounds.
From the day the Mac mini was released, I have always had one permanently connected to my living room stereo system and/or flat panel television and used the Mac mini as my iTunes server. I had previously used a Power Mac G4 Cube for this purpose. With this original Mac mini, I was still using a CRT-based TV so I connected to it remotely.
Source: EveryMac.com
The iMac G5 featured a 2.0 GHz PowerPC 970 (G5) processor, 512 MB of 400 MHz PC3200 DDR SDRAM, a 250 GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard drive, a vertically-mounted slot-loading 8X DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive, and built-in stereo speakers at the bottom of the display. The screen was a 20-inch TFT Active Matrix LCD at 1680×1050. Wired ports included FireWire 400 and USB 2.0. Wireless connections included AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.
Like its predecessors, the iMac G5 rested on an aluminum stand with an adjustable hinge. It also supported the VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) mounting interface standard which allowed the iMac to be mounted directly on a kiosk, wall, or arm. The iMac G5 also had an Ambient Light Sensor under the edge of the display that dims the sleep indicator light when the room is dark.
Source: EveryMac.com
The iPod nano replaced the iPod mini as a full-featured alternative to the classic iPod at the time. The iPod nano featured 1, 2, or 4 GB of flash memory in a 3.5-inch tall, 1.6-inch wide, and 0.27-inch thick white or black case. The color screen measured 1.5 inches at 176×132. The iPod nano is navigated by a Click Wheel and supports viewing photos. The design of the case features a jet black or iBook white front and stainless steel back.
Software functions included Screen Lock, a stopwatch, and a world clock. The iPod nano held approximately 240, 500, or 1000 songs and up to 15,000 or 25,000 photos that were downsampled to fit on the 1.5-inch screen.
Source: EveryMac.com
The original iPod shuffle featured 512 MB or 1.0 GB of flash memory in a 3.3 by 0.98 by 0.33-inch case with an integrated USB connector. Like all iPod shuffle models, it lacked a display. The name of the iPod refers to its ability to shuffle among the 120 or 240 songs its capable of storing.
Like other iPod models, the shuffle can be used to store files other than music files, a feature that worked particularly well on the original shuffle with its integrated USB port.
The original iPod shuffle shipped with a white lanyard and a cap.
Source: EveryMac.com
