{"id":5752,"date":"2009-01-25T16:33:44","date_gmt":"2009-01-25T11:03:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=5752"},"modified":"2026-10-11T12:09:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T06:39:23","slug":"first-macintosh-computer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/first-macintosh-computer\/","title":{"rendered":"First Macintosh Computer (1984): Specs, Price and the 1984 Ad"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The first Macintosh computer was launched by Apple on 24 January 1984. We wrote this post in January 2009 to celebrate 25 years of the Mac; in January 2024 the Mac turned 40. Here is a look at the original Macintosh 128K, its specs and price, the famous &#8220;1984&#8221; Super Bowl ad, Steve Jobs&#8217;s first Mac demo, and how the Mac has changed since.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/mac-1984.jpg\" alt=\"first macintosh computer 1984\" width=\"250\" height=\"293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/mac-1984.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/mac-1984-127x150.jpg 127w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> The first Macintosh computer, later called the Macintosh 128K, went on sale on 24 January 1984 for US$2,495. It had a 9-inch black-and-white screen, an 8 MHz Motorola 68000 processor, 128 KB of RAM, a 3.5-inch floppy drive, a keyboard and a one-button mouse. It was the first mass-market personal computer with a graphical interface and mouse.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af2ab3005917\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af2ab3005917\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/first-macintosh-computer\/#First_Macintosh_computer_specs\" >First Macintosh computer specs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/first-macintosh-computer\/#The_%E2%80%9C1984%E2%80%9D_Super_Bowl_ad\" >The &#8220;1984&#8221; Super Bowl ad<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/first-macintosh-computer\/#Steve_Jobss_first_Macintosh_demo\" >Steve Jobs&#8217;s first Macintosh demo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/first-macintosh-computer\/#Why_the_first_Mac_mattered\" >Why the first Mac mattered<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/first-macintosh-computer\/#How_the_Mac_has_changed_in_40_years\" >How the Mac has changed in 40+ years<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/first-macintosh-computer\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/first-macintosh-computer\/#When_was_the_first_Macintosh_released\" >When was the first Macintosh released?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/first-macintosh-computer\/#How_much_did_the_first_Mac_cost\" >How much did the first Mac cost?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/first-macintosh-computer\/#What_was_the_first_Mac_called\" >What was the first Mac called?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/first-macintosh-computer\/#Who_directed_the_1984_Apple_ad\" >Who directed the 1984 Apple ad?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_Macintosh_computer_specs\"><\/span>First Macintosh computer specs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Launch date<\/td>\n<td>24 January 1984<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Price<\/td>\n<td>US$2,495<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Processor<\/td>\n<td>Motorola 68000 at about 8 MHz<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Memory<\/td>\n<td>128 KB RAM, 64 KB ROM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Display<\/td>\n<td>9-inch black-and-white, 512 x 342 pixels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Storage<\/td>\n<td>Single 400 KB 3.5-inch floppy disk drive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Software<\/td>\n<td>System 1 with MacPaint and MacWrite<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Input<\/td>\n<td>Keyboard and one-button mouse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_%E2%80%9C1984%E2%80%9D_Super_Bowl_ad\"><\/span>The &#8220;1984&#8221; Super Bowl ad<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Apple&#8217;s famous <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1984_(advertisement)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;1984&#8221; television commercial<\/a>, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Anya Major, introduced the Macintosh. It aired nationally just once, on 22 January 1984, during the third quarter of Super Bowl XVIII, and became one of the most famous ads ever made.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"entry-content-asset videofit\"><iframe title=\"1984 Apple&amp;apos;s First Macintosh Commercial\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OYecfV3ubP8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Steve_Jobss_first_Macintosh_demo\"><\/span>Steve Jobs&#8217;s first Macintosh demo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>On 24 January 1984, Steve Jobs unveiled the Macintosh at Apple&#8217;s shareholder meeting. He pulled it out of a bag, and the Mac famously said &#8220;Hello&#8221; to the audience in its own voice. This demo shows what made the Mac different from the text-based computers of the time.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_the_first_Mac_mattered\"><\/span>Why the first Mac mattered<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Graphical interface:<\/strong> windows, icons, menus and a pointer made computers usable without typing commands.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The mouse:<\/strong> the Mac popularised the mouse for everyday users.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Desktop publishing:<\/strong> fonts, MacPaint and later laser printers made the Mac a favourite of designers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>All-in-one design:<\/strong> screen, computer and drive in one compact case.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_the_Mac_has_changed_in_40_years\"><\/span>How the Mac has changed in 40+ years<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1998:<\/strong> the colourful iMac G3 helped revive Apple after Steve Jobs returned.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2006:<\/strong> Macs moved from PowerPC to Intel processors.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2008:<\/strong> the thin MacBook Air arrived.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2020:<\/strong> Apple silicon began with the M1 chip, bringing big gains in speed and battery life.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2024:<\/strong> the Mac celebrated its 40th anniversary, with M-series Macs across the whole line-up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Using a Mac today? See how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/google-chrome-mac\/\">download Google Chrome for Mac<\/a>, or read the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/10\/steve-jobs-books\/\">best Steve Jobs books<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_was_the_first_Macintosh_released\"><\/span>When was the first Macintosh released?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>24 January 1984.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_did_the_first_Mac_cost\"><\/span>How much did the first Mac cost?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>US$2,495 at launch, which is several times that amount in today&#8217;s money.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_was_the_first_Mac_called\"><\/span>What was the first Mac called?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Simply &#8220;Macintosh&#8221;. It was later called the Macintosh 128K after the Macintosh 512K arrived.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_directed_the_1984_Apple_ad\"><\/span>Who directed the 1984 Apple ad?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ridley Scott, the director of Alien and Blade Runner.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The first Macintosh computer was launched by Apple on 24 January 1984. We wrote this post in January 2009 to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5768,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gadgets"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5752"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5752\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63855,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5752\/revisions\/63855"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}