Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh

Code Name: Spartacus

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Overview

The Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh (or TAM) was a radical change from existing computers. The slim unit (under 4" deep) uses the same kind of LCD screen usually found in laptops. Stereo speakers surround it, along with a large subwoofer for really solid bass.

The keyboard is also like that on a PowerBook. It has no numeric keypad, but does include a trackpad.

In all, Apple built 12,000 TAMs.

Although Apple broke the mold after building the TAM, I expect that within a couple years computers will typically ship with a built-in LCD monitor -- and the iMac will be a much thinner, lighter machine that we know today.

Details

introduced May 1997 at $7,499, discontinued
requires Mac OS 7.6.1 or later (uses special version of Mac OS 8)
CPU: 250 MHz PPC 603e
bus: 50 MHz
CPU performance: 237, MacBench 4
RAM: 32 MB (expandable to 128 MB, uses 168-pin 5V 60ns or faster EDO or FPM DIMMs)
VRAM: 2 MB VRAM
Video: 12.1" 800 x 600 at 8- or 16-bits, ATI 3D RAGE II chip set
L2 cache: 256 KB, expandable to 1 MB
hard drive: 2 GB IDE drive
CD-ROM: 4x
PCI slots: 1 7" slot
1 Comm Slot II, filled with 33.6kbps GeoPort modem
ADB ports: 1
DIN-8 GeoPorts: 2
DB-25 SCSI connector on back of computer
upgrade path: none
dimensions (HxWxD): 17.25"x16.5"x10.0" (43.8x41.9x25.4 cm)
weight: 14.9 lbs. (6.8 kg)

Online Resources

Connecting DVD to your 20th Anniversary Mac, MacProf
Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh Upgrades, Mac Speed Zone
The Incomparable Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh
The Unofficial 20th Anniversary Macintosh Web Site
The Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh, Apple Europe
Overview from MacUser
Feature from Macworld, 3/97
Technical Specifications, Apple TIL #30182
Data Sheet, Apple Asia

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