If you are a fan of Apple computers, you might remember the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh (TAM) released by Apple back in 1997 as a limited edition to celebrate the company’s 20th birthday.
When originally launched, the TAM system arrived one year later than Apple’s 20th birthday, which was on 1 April 1996. It was met with lukewarm sales due to its exorbitant price and the feeling that the system championed form over function. The TAM was priced at a staggering $7,499, which was quite high for the average consumer at the time. This high price point was partly due to the premium materials used in its construction, such as leather palm rests and a Bose sound system, which added to its luxurious appeal but did not necessarily enhance its computing capabilities.
The Design and Features of the TAM
The Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh was a radical departure from the traditional beige boxes that characterized most personal computers of the era. Designed by Jony Ive, who would later become famous for his work on the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, the TAM featured a sleek, all-in-one design that integrated the monitor and CPU into a single unit. This design was ahead of its time and foreshadowed the direction Apple would take with its future products.
The TAM features a 250 MHz PowerPC 603e processor and a 12.1″ active matrix LCD powered by an ATI 3D Rage II video chipset with 2MB of VRAM capable of displaying up to 16-bit color at 800×600 or 640×480 pixels. It also came with a custom-made Bose sound system, which included two satellite speakers and a subwoofer, providing exceptional audio quality for its time. The system also included a TV/FM tuner and a remote control, making it a versatile multimedia machine.
Legacy and Collectibility
Despite its initial commercial failure, the TAM has become a highly sought-after collector’s item. Its unique design and limited production run have made it a prized possession for Apple enthusiasts and collectors of vintage technology. Well, if you would like to now own one of these historical Macintosh systems, there is one currently being auctioned on eBay and is already up to $5,501 at the time of writing this article. This high auction price reflects the TAM’s status as a rare and iconic piece of computing history.
The TAM’s influence can be seen in many of Apple’s later products. Its all-in-one design concept was refined and perfected in the iMac, which became one of Apple’s most successful product lines. The emphasis on design and aesthetics that the TAM embodied has become a hallmark of Apple’s brand, influencing everything from the MacBook to the iPhone.
“The TAM features a a 250 MHz PowerPC 603e processor and 12.1″ active matrix LCD powered by an ATI 3D Rage II video chipset with 2MB of VRAM capable of displaying up to 16bit color at 800×600 or 640×480 pixels.”
The Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh may not have been a commercial success, but it played a crucial role in shaping the future of Apple. Its innovative design and premium features set the stage for the company’s later successes and helped establish Apple as a leader in both technology and design. For collectors and enthusiasts, the TAM remains a fascinating and valuable piece of Apple’s storied history.
Source: Ubergizmo : : Image Source: Wikipedia
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