Re-birth announcement. magazine insert (iMac, 1999)

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, part of Apple’s print advertising included magazine inserts. These inserts functioned like “mini-magazines” within magazines. These inserts were glued with a pliable rubber cement that could be easily removed.

This magazine insert shows the iMac DV Special Edition in graphite and the headline “Re-birth announcement.”

When opened, each page folds out into a three-panel spread. Opened, a two-panel spread shows a slot-loading iMac with several paragraphs of text, and opening the fold-out reveals additional information on three panels. Overall, this magazine insert has three, three-panel spreads. The first spread shows iMac features, the second spread discusses media playing and creation capabilities, and the third spread is devoted to the AirPort base station and wireless.

The back page features all six available colors at the time: Tangerine, Strawberry, Blueberry, Grape, Lime, and Graphite.

This insert is stapled and contains three, three-panel spreads. Folded, it measures 10.5 x 7.375 inches.

Mini-brochures collection (2000)

These product mini-brochures were available in Apple Stores and elsewhere in the early 2000s. They measured 3 x 4.5 inches folded, and designs unfolded into different configurations. All of these mini-brochures feature a photo of the product on the front panel, information inside, and specifications on the back panel.

iMac (July 2000)
This iMac mini-brochure featured the graphite and snow iMac DV Special Edition models. It opened to four horizontal panels and featured all iMac colors of the time—ruby, indigo, sage, snow, and graphite. Features described included Internet, playing DVDs, digital video editing with iMovie, optional AirPort wireless capabilities, and AppleCare. iMac Specifications on the back outlined the four available configurations: iMac DV Special Edition, iMac DV+, iMac DV, and iMac.

AirPort (original, July 2000)
The AirPort mini-brochure opens first to a 2-up layout showing Apple’s Wi-Fi-capable devices at the time (iBook, iMac, PowerBook G3, and graphite Power Mac G4 tower). The brochure then opens to a 4-up horizontal layout showing “Three easy steps to a wireless world.”

Apple Displays (July 2000)
The Apple Displays brochure pictures an Apple Studio Display on the cover (17-inch CRT model). The brochure folds into a horizontal 4-up layout that shows all three available display models at the time along with features—Apple Studio Display (17-inch CRT), Apple Studio Display (15-inch LCD), and Apple Cinema Display (22-inch LCD).

iMac G3/500 DV SE (Summer 2000, graphite)

The iMac G3/500 DV Special Edition (Summer 2000) featured a 500 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor, 128 MB of RAM, a 30.0 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, a slot loading 4X DVD-ROM drive, a Harmon-Kardon designed sound system, and two FireWire 400 ports. The screen was a 15-inch CRT display.

The iMac G3/500 DV Special Edition (Summer 2000) is similar to the iMac G3/450 DV+ (Summer 2000) released at the same time, but was offered in graphite and snow rather than indigo, ruby, and sage. It was referred to as a “Special Edition” model because it had a faster processor, twice the RAM, and a larger hard drive (30.0 GB instead of 20.0 GB).

This iMac model also replaced the Apple USB Keyboard and round Apple USB Mouse with the Apple Pro Keyboard and Mouse.

Source: EveryMac.com

iBook G3/366 SE (graphite, 2000)

The iBook G3/366 Special Edition (SE) shares the same Apple model number as the original “clamshell” iBook, but has a few upgraded internal specifications. The iBook SE increased the processor power to 366 MHz and shipped with 64 MB of RAM and a 6.0 GB hard drive.

The SE was also offered in a more conservative case color that Apple referred to as “graphite and ice.”

Source: EveryMac.com

iPod shuffle Generation 3 (4 GB, stainless steel, 2009, unopened)

The iPod shuffle Generation 3 was released in two stages. The initial release came in black and silver, and a later release added blue, green, pink, and an all-stainless-steel “Special Edition.”

The design of the iPod shuffle Generation 3 was considered somewhat controversial because it had no external screen or controls. The three controls—volume up, volume down, and “action”—are all on the earphone cable. VoiceOver technology, accessed using the “action” control, spoke song information.

This example is an unopened stainless steel Special Edition. It was only offered in a 4 GB capacity, and was only available at Apple Stores.

Source: EveryMac.com

iPod U2 Special Edition Generation 4 (20 GB, 2004)

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.

Source: EveryMac