Home  >  Classic Macintosh Section  >  All-In-One Timeline

The above chart is a pictorial view of Apple's all-in-one Macintosh form factors from 1984 to today. Apple defined the all-in-one concept with the original Macintosh 128K in 1984. Steve Jobs helped shape this significant marketing position stressing the "computer as appliance" principle that Apple has perpetuated for over twenty years. Since the release and subsequent success of the Macintosh 128K in 1984, Apple has offered some form of all-on-one Macintosh. The above chart stresses the all-in-one form factor, not necessarily the product label. A form factor is the physical size and shape of a device. The chart uses form factor to denote the physical shape of each all-in-one Macintosh as measured by outside dimensions. This is not necessarily the same thing as a set of specifications on the size, shape and configuration of the internal components such as the power supply or motherboard. For instance, the Macintosh SE form factor could enclose the SE/30 motherboard or the SE motherboard. Furthermore, this chart represents the American market. I have omitted foreign sold Macs such as the Macintosh Color Classic II. The dotted line represents forward movement of time. It does not denote that one form factor lead to the next. This is not necessarily true.

   Rate this article: