List of Apple Macintosh models by case type
This list of Apple Macintosh models by case type contains all case designs used by Apple Computer for their Macintosh computers. The list is sectioned by general case layout, but inside the sections the order is chronological. Models that used multiple names (like most Performas) are only listed once. Where available, the "form factor" from Apple's datasheets has been used to determine the case designation and the computers that used it. For all-in-one models and notebooks that have the same basic case design, but differ in size, only one type is listed. Also, some models that only differ slightly or internally are listed together, like The Two iMac G3s and the Power Mac G4s.
All-in-one
"All-in-one" in the Apple sense means that the display is integrated in the computer case. The keyboard always remains detachable. That includes all Compact Macintoshes, the Macintosh LC 500 series and the iMac series, among others.
Desktop
"Desktop" is used in the sense of a horizontal case capable of being placed under the monitor. The Macintosh II series were the first Macintoshes to use such a case, but true desktop cases are not in Apple's lineup today. However, this section also includes modern cases that are too small to be placed under a normal display.
Tower
A "tower" is a vertical case intended for placement beside the display or under a desk. This section contains both full sized towers and so-called "minitowers". Towers were first used for the high-end Macintosh Quadra models, but all later high-end Macintoshes (such as the Power Mac series) also used the tower design.
Portable
"Portable" in this case means computers that are able to run on internal batteries - modern computers like the Mac mini are arguably more portable than the "luggable" Macintosh Portable, but have no integrated batteries. All modern portable Macintoshes use the notebook design, which the PowerBook series helped to establish.
Rackmount
"Rackmount" computers use cases that are designed to be screwed into a standard 19-inch rack, a form factor that is mostly used for servers. The Xserve series is the only Macintosh ever specifically designed in this way, with all of the computer models having a height of only one rack unit. The Xserve RAID can be considered a "rackmount", although it is much larger than the following:
See also
- Apple Macintosh
- List of Macintosh models grouped by CPU
- List of products discontinued by Apple Computer
- Timeline of Apple Macintosh models
Footnotes
The case is originally that of the Lisa 2/10.
This model came in black instead of beige.
This computer is available in various colors.
The optical drive is changed from tray-loading to slot-loading.
Available with 15-, 17- and 20-inch screens.
Available with 17- and 20-inch screens.
Thinner than the original iMac G5 case, with a curved back and integrated ISIGHT camera; available with 17- and 20-inch screens.
The case is flipped on its side, creating a minitower.
The exterior shell is heavily modified, but the inside is the same.
Even though this case was introduced with the Power Macintosh 7200, Apple uses the later "Power Macintosh 7500" as the designation. This case is unofficially known as the "Outrigger".
The case is modified, with the floppy drive slot moved to the bottom.
This case is a taller version of the Quadra 800 case
This case is a shorter version of the Power Macintosh 9600 case.
This case has three rather different subtypes: "Graphite" (nearly identical to the G3 B&W case save for the color), "Quicksilver" and “Mirrored Drive Doors".
Uses a touchpad instead of a trackball
Available in 12- and 14-inch diagonal size.
Uses an opaque keyboard and slot-in optical drive.
Available in 12-, 15- and 17-inch diagonal size.
Available in 15.4- and 17-inch diagonal size.
Available in black or white.
Later models of the Xserve G4 use a slot-in CD-ROM, like the Xserve G5
References
- Specifications, Apple Computer, Inc.
- Mac Systems: Apple, EveryMac.com
- Glen Sanford, Apple History, apple-history.com
- Dan Knight, Computer Profiles, LowEndMac, Cobweb Publishing, Inc