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Very early prototype model of the Macintosh 128K computer, with an Apple label affixed underneath the production front bezel bearing the model number, “M0001,” and serial number, “F3510BEM0001,” the latter of which indicates that this was the 387th Macintosh manufactured during the 51st week of 1983 in Fremont, California. In contrast to production case backs, this 128K prototype features reversed upper emblem boxes, with the Apple ‘rainbow’ logo present to the right square area and the left rectangle area left blank; later prototypes featured an embossed ‘Apple’ company name logo. The back is without a manufacturing label and the bottom of the case bears a different vent layout than the retail version of the computer; this model was evidently created before the venting and cooling system was finalized. Rather than use an inelegant cooling fan, Steve Jobs insisted that the Macintosh rely on convective heat transfer, which made it quiet while in operation.
Like the retail version of the computer, this prototype has numerous facsimile signatures of the Macintosh team—including Steve Jobs, Daniel Kottke, Steve Wozniak, Andy Hertzfeld, Joanna Hoffman, and Jef Raskin—stamped inside the plastic case; however, Raskin’s signature is present to the top, whereas in production models this was moved to a different location at the bottom. The consignor notes that Grimm's signature is not present because he was absent on the day members of the Mac development team were asked to sign their names for the case interior. The process was done in haste and Grimm was always disappointed that his name was not included as part of the final product. The inside also bears the embossed prototype mark, “PTA, Prototype,” with Apple part numbers: “SKMC5022-04, 81-392.” Inside, the analog board is marked "7876" along the top edge and the side of the monitor bears a label marked: “Engineering Sample, E573”; the logic board is no longer present but it is believed to be part of Lot 6062 in the current auction. In very good to fine, untested condition, with rusting to inner case below the analog board and corrosion to power and battery ports.
The Macintosh 128K was the first in the line of Apple's Macintosh computers. It offered a radically new approach that featured a graphical user interface (GUI), built-in screen, and mouse-all of which revolutionized the user's experience, marking the transition from command-line computing to a point-and-click model. The Macintosh was famously announced in one of the most-viewed Super Bowl advertisements of all time, '1984.'
From the collection of Dennis Grimm.
