. | Macintosh 512Kcode name: Fat MacGot a compact Mac? Consider joining the Compact
Macs email list.  Overview
Introduced to replace the 128K
in September 1984, the 512K had four times the RAM of the
original Mac. This made it possible to work with larger
files, more powerful software, and have more files open
(running more than one application was still in the future,
awaiting MultiFinder). You can convert a non-working compact Mac into a
Macquarium. (Please, don't
even think of converting a working one -- you can always
find someone interested on the Classic
Macs or Vintage
Macs lists.) Details- introduced 10 September 1984 at $3,300; discontinued
14 April 1986
- works with any system through 4.1
- CPU: 8 MHz 68000
- performance: 0.8 (relative to SE); 0.7 MIPS
- ROM: 64 KB
- RAM: 512 KB
- 9" b&w screen, 512x342 pixels
- keyboard attached via coiled telephone-like
cable
- mouse attached via DB-9 connector
- DB-9 serial ports
- floppy: 400 KB single sided
- floppy connector on back of computer
- size (HxWxD): 13.6" x 9.6" x 10.9"
- weight: 16.5 lb.
- PRAM battery: 4.5V #523
- Gestalt ID: 1
- addressing: 24-bit only
- upgrade path: 512Ke,
Plus
- estimated current value: under US$10
Upgrades- Mac Plus motherboard, 800KB floppy drive
- One of the coolest ideas ever, Mac Rescue bumped the
128k or 512k to 4 MB -- plus a 2 MB RAM disk. Probably
long gone, but you might get lucky and find one.
Online Resources- Need a mouse or keyboard? Visit Goodwill
Computer Works-- they usually have plenty available
at US$9.95 each.
- Email lists: Classic
Macs Digest, Compact
Macs
- Mac 512
Page
- Macintosh
128k/512k
- Macintosh:
The first popular GUI, Unofficial, Unauthorized Apple
Online Museum
- Q&A
for the Macintosh (128K) through the Macintosh 512Ke,
The Mac 512K User Group
- Obsolete
Computer Museum
- Software Compatible with
68000 CPU
- Internet
Classic Mac Users Home Page
- Apple
Specs Online for 512K
- Get your compact Mac on the web with tips from
JAG's
House.
- You can use DiskDup+
on a newer Mac to create 400k floppies using standard
double density floppies. The only physical difference
between 400k or 800k disks is whether data is written on
one side or both sides of the floppy. Do not use high
density disks. If you want to copy a disk, open
DiskDup+ and insert the "master" disk. It will be read
and ejected. You will be asked for a copy disk. Insert
the disk you are copying to. If necessary, DiskDup+ will
format the disk. If the newly created disk is unreadable
on the old Mac, try making a copy on another machine
(this can be cause by a misaligned hard drive). DiskDup+
will work on old machines with 1 megabyte of RAM; it will
require two passes to duplicate the disk, however.
DiskDup+ will also make copies from disk image files. You
can download early system software as disk images from
the MacOS Crypt <http://members.aol.com/maccrypt/SystemSoftware.html>.
If you are using System 7.1 or later, drag the disk image
to the DiskDup+ icon. The rest of the process is the same
as when copying a physical disk. If you don't have drag
and drop, DiskDup+ has the ability to read the disk image
directly. Open DiskDup and click on the button that says
"Open Disk Image."
Cautions- The 512K and 512Ke can only access shared volumes on
a network with AppleShare 1.1 Work Station, not with
AppleShare 2.0 Work Station. More details in Apple
TIL 5356.
- The 128K and 512K will not be able to read 400k disks
in an attached 800k disk drive.
- That monitor packs a lot of voltage. Read Compact
Mac CRT Energy before working inside.
- Reliably supports serial port speeds to 19.2 kbps,
although default is 9600 bps.
- Serial port does not support hardware handshaking
required for 9600 bps or faster modems.
- Apple discontinued support and parts orders for the
512K on 31 August 1998. You may be able to find dealers
with parts inventory either locally or on our parts
and service list.
- <back to compact
Mac index or Low
End Mac home
page>
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