Tag Archives: Apple

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Restoring Apple’s fastest classic Mac (Mac IIfx)

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The Apple Macintosh IIfx was Apple’s way of saying, “Why settle for fast when you can have fast for 1990?” Nicknamed the “Wicked Fast” Mac, this beast was to other computers of its time what a Ferrari is to a grocery store parking lot: completely unnecessary but irresistibly cool.

Powered by a 40 MHz Motorola 68030 processor, the IIfx was Apple’s speed demon, complete with a pair of custom I/O processors to handle things like floppy drives and serial ports. That’s right—it needed extra chips to manage the hard work of talking to printers and loading Oregon Trail. In 1990, that was like having a butler for your butler.

Its speed wasn’t cheap. The IIfx launched at a wallet-busting $12,000, which in today’s money is enough to buy a decent used car—or 50 Chromebooks. It was so exclusive that Apple practically issued you a monocle and a smoking jacket when you bought one. Rumor has it they even considered shipping it with a complimentary cup of artisan espresso.

But what did you get for that princely sum? A computer that could handle up to 128 MB of RAM, which was more memory than most people could comprehend needing back then. It was also packed with custom black-tantalum capacitors, which sounded so fancy you’d think the IIfx was moonlighting as a James Bond gadget.

Of course, it wasn’t all glamour. It ran System 6 or 7, meaning it could crash just as spectacularly as its slower cousins. But hey, at least it could do it faster! And let’s not forget the “affordable” peripherals like its $3,000 monitor, which was practically mandatory unless you wanted to experience 40 MHz of raw power on a green monochrome display.

In short, the Macintosh IIfx was the computer equivalent of a Lamborghini in a world of Honda Civics. It screamed “overkill” and “status symbol” louder than a dot-matrix printer, and for that, it remains a glorious relic of the early ‘90s tech arms race.

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Dozens of Apple computers rescued! #BarnFind

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Tales of Weird Stuff takes a long road trip through Washington State to Spokane to rescue a truck load of classic Apple computers. This is wild!

Apple computers are not only known for their sleek designs and cutting-edge technology, but some models have become rare, highly collectible, and seriously expensive. Here are 5 of the rarest or most expensive Apple computers:

1. Apple I (1976)

The holy grail of vintage computing! Only about 200 of these were ever made, and even fewer exist today. Hand-built by Steve Wozniak in Steve Jobs’ garage, this computer came as a motherboard kit, no case or keyboard included (DIY vibes, right?). One of these relics sold for $905,000 in 2014, making it the equivalent of owning a tech museum in your living room.

2. Apple Lisa 1 (1983)

The Apple Lisa was like the overachieving older sibling to the Macintosh. It was the first personal computer with a graphical user interface, which is why it cost as much as a decent car back then—about $10,000. Nowadays, a working Lisa 1 can go for $50,000–$100,000 depending on condition. It’s basically the computer equivalent of saying, “I bought Bitcoin in 2009.”

3. Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh (1997)

When Apple hit the 20-year mark, they decided to throw themselves a party and released this luxury limited-edition Mac. It came with a Bose sound system and a price tag of $7,500. Now, they’re collector’s items worth $10,000–$15,000. Owning one is like saying, “I appreciated the finer things in life… even in 1997.”

4. Macintosh 128K (1984)

The OG Mac, the one that started it all. It was the first Mac with a graphical interface and mouse, making it the apple of every tech geek’s eye (pun intended). While they originally sold for $2,495, a mint-condition one in the original packaging can fetch upwards of $5,000–$10,000 today. Think of it as vintage, but make it tech chic.

5. Apple II (1977)

This one was a big deal—it basically brought personal computing to the masses. With its sleek (for the time) design, color graphics, and a whopping 4 KB of RAM, it was the height of ‘70s tech sophistication. Depending on condition and whether it’s a first-gen model, it can go for anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000 now. The computer that once ran “Oregon Trail” is now worth more than your actual trail-running shoes.

Owning one of these machines isn’t just about having a rare piece of tech history—it’s about flaunting that you’re an Apple superfan with a time-traveling wallet!

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I tried using a Mac for 2 years. Here’s my review.

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Long-term MacBook Pro review after 2 years of use.

The Apple MacBook is like the Starship Enterprise of laptops—sleek, shiny, and ready to boldly go where no computer has gone before. Just like the Enterprise, it’s a finely-tuned piece of technology that makes you feel like you’re in command of your own personal starship.

First off, the MacBook’s aluminum body is as smooth and polished as the hull of the Enterprise itself. When you open it up, the screen lights up like a warp core powering on, ready to take you to the farthest reaches of the digital universe—whether that’s exploring strange new websites or conquering the vast expanse of your email inbox.

The keyboard? It’s like the control panel on the bridge—every key precisely engineered for efficient navigation through your tasks. And with that satisfying click, it’s like you’re giving orders to the ship’s computer, which, in this case, is Siri (the ever-patient Starfleet officer who never questions why you need to know the nearest pizza place at 3 a.m.).

The trackpad is your command center, as intuitive as using a tricorder. Swipe, tap, and zoom with the precision of Mr. Spock calculating the odds of successfully completing the Kobayashi Maru. And let’s not forget the MacBook’s battery life—it’s the closest thing we have to dilithium crystals in the 21st century, keeping you powered up for hours, even when you’re light-years away from an outlet.

And when it comes to speed, the MacBook’s M1 chip is like Scotty in the engine room, delivering warp speed performance even when you’ve got more tabs open than a Klingon battlecruiser. Multitasking feels as effortless as Kirk sweet-talking his way out of a tight spot.

Of course, just like the Enterprise, the MacBook isn’t immune to the occasional hiccup—whether it’s a software update that feels like a Romulan cloaking device has activated, or a spinning beach ball that’s as dreaded as a malfunctioning holodeck. But these moments are rare, and your MacBook is usually as reliable as Data running a diagnostic.

In short, the MacBook is the perfect blend of form and function, with a little bit of Starfleet flair. It’s the laptop you’d choose if you were captain of your own starship—or at least the one you’d want while pretending to be. And as any good captain knows, sometimes it’s not just about getting the job done; it’s about doing it with style.

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Let’s fix up some Apple Macs! Which of these is the most reliable? #repair

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Adrian’s Digital Basement takes a look at repairing a classic Apple Mac SE.

The Apple Macintosh SE, introduced in March 1987, was a significant addition to Apple’s line of personal computers. It featured a compact all-in-one design, combining the CPU, memory, storage, and display in a single unit. The SE stood for “System Expansion,” highlighting its capability for expansion through its unique design. With a 9-inch black-and-white CRT display with a resolution of 512×342 pixels, the Macintosh SE offered crisp graphics and legible text for its time, making it suitable for a variety of tasks including word processing, graphic design, and desktop publishing. The machine was powered by a Motorola 68000 processor running at 8 MHz, delivering respectable performance for its era.

One notable feature of the Macintosh SE was its expandability, with two expansion slots allowing users to add additional functionality such as networking capabilities or extra storage. Additionally, it was one of the first Macintosh models to feature a built-in SCSI port, enabling easy connection to external devices such as hard drives and scanners. The SE was available in several configurations, including options for different amounts of RAM and storage capacities. Despite its compact size, the Macintosh SE was a versatile and capable machine that played a significant role in shaping the personal computing landscape of the late 1980s and early 1990s, contributing to Apple’s reputation for innovation and user-friendly design.

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Game Chasers: This Apple II Computer Turned Out To Be Worth The Money!

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Game Chasers Billy takes the Apple II he found for $40 bucks to The 8-Bit Guy, a local vintage computer hobbyist. They will find out if it works, restore it to its former glory, and see whether or not it was worth the money to pick it up.

The Apple II was a pioneering personal computer released by Apple Inc. in 1977, revolutionizing the consumer tech landscape. With its sleek design and innovative capabilities, it became a hallmark of the burgeoning home computing era. The Apple II featured a distinct beige-colored plastic case, a built-in keyboard, and a central processing unit running at just over 1 MHz. Its graphical display, utilizing a color palette that was revolutionary for its time, facilitated a variety of applications from gaming to word processing.

What set the Apple II apart was its expandability and versatility. Unlike many computers of its era, it offered expansion slots, allowing users to add peripheral devices like floppy disk drives, printers, and modems. The availability of software like VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet program, propelled the Apple II into offices and businesses, solidifying its impact on both personal and professional spheres. Its accessibility and user-friendly design made it a cornerstone of the microcomputer industry, leaving a lasting legacy that contributed significantly to the evolution of personal computing.

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New iPhone 15 Pro Max Is A Gaming Console! Hands-On Testing

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The new iPhone 15 Pro Max armed with a blazing-fast A16 Bionic chip, this device offers unparalleled processing power and efficiency. The improved CPU and GPU architecture deliver lightning-quick performance, ensuring that even the most demanding games run with buttery-smooth frame rates. The advanced thermal management system prevents overheating during extended gaming sessions, providing a consistent and comfortable experience for gamers.

The iPhone 15 also boasts a stunning Super Retina XDR display, showcasing vivid colors and deep blacks. The ProMotion technology, with its 120Hz refresh rate, elevates the gaming experience to new heights, providing ultra-responsive touch input and silky-smooth animations. Additionally, the spatial audio capabilities create an immersive audio environment, allowing gamers to pinpoint sound cues with remarkable precision. With support for the latest augmented reality technologies, the iPhone 15 opens up a whole new dimension of gaming possibilities, seamlessly blending the virtual and real worlds. With its exceptional performance and cutting-edge features, the iPhone 15 solidifies its position as a top-tier gaming phone, delivering an unrivaled gaming experience for enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.