Tag: Macintosh TV

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Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) Mouse II (M2706, 1993)

The Apple Desktop Bus Mouse II transformed the angular blocky designs to a curved teardrop shape. This basic shape is still used in mouse designs today by Apple and others. This mouse was included with Macintosh computers from 1993–1998 when the original iMac was introduced.

The Apple Desktop Bus Mouse II matched the platinum gray color of Macintosh computers at the time. However, a black version of this mouse was included with the Macintosh TV and the Performa 5420 (sold only in Europe and Asia).

Four different variations of the Apple Desktop Bus II Mouse are in my collection. The three platinum gray color versions have different color trackballs, and one has no label (with the product numbers cast directly into the plastic). The fourth example is the black Apple Desktop Bus II Mouse included with the Macintosh TV.

Source: Wikipedia.com

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Macintosh TV (1993)

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.

Source: EveryMac.com.