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Text File | 1989-03-08 | 5.8 KB | 111 lines | [TEXT/MSWD] |
- APPLE ANNOUNCES NEW VERSATILE MACINTOSH IIcx WITH 68030 PERFORMANCE IN A SMALL-SIZED MODULAR DESIGN
-
- San Francisco, California. March 7,1989. Apple Computer, Inc. today
- introduced the newest member of its expanding, compatible Macintosh(R)
- personal computer family - the Macintosh IIcx. The versatile IIcx features
- 68030 performance, three NuBus(TM) expansion slots and a small, modular
- design.
-
- The Macintosh IIcx is the third new Macintosh announced in the past six months
- that features full 32-bit 68030 and 68882 microprocessors and Apple's unique
- SuperDrive, which allows users to easily access non-Macintosh disks. The IIcx
- system's performance and expandability, plus its small footprint -- about the
- size of a typewriter - make it an adaptable system that will appeal to many of
- the different markets that Apple serves.
-
- The feature that distinguishes the Macintosh IIcx from the Macintosh II and
- IIx, is its unique flexible product design. Its small footprint takes up less
- space on the desk, and its mounting flexibility - base, side or from a
- mounting bracket - helps it fit into any work environment.
-
- In addition, the new IIcx is easy to service and configure. Users can
- disassemble the entire system after removing a single screw, making it simple
- to reach critical components such as RAM, ROM and disk drives.
-
- As with all members of the Macintosh product family, the IIcx was designed to
- use the same software architecture. This allows customers to use the same
- applications and data files on any Macintosh model.
-
- In addition, like other members of the modular Macintosh product family, the
- IIcx shares important features such as color QuickDraw(TM), NuBus
- architecture, stereo sound capabilities and an optional internal 3.5-inch half-
- height hard disk. And, like the Macintosh IIx and compact Macintosh SE/30,
- the IIcx features a 68030 microprocessor, a 68882 math coprocessor and a 1.4MB
- SuperDrive (FDHD(TM) - Floppy Drive High Density) - a 3.5-inch floppy disk
- drive that can read and write to non-Macintosh formats, and the ability to use
- ROM SIMMs.
-
- A new capability introduced with Macintosh IIcx is auto-restart, which allows
- the system to restart itself in the event of a power outage.
-
- "The Macintosh IIcx is important for Apple because it combines the flexibility
- of our open architecture systems with a small size," said Jean-Louis Gassee,
- president of Apple Products. "With this combination of features, we expect
- the Macintosh IIcx to have very broad appeal.
-
- "Together with the Macintosh II and IIx, the IIcx strengthens the product line
- and extends the range of options for users who are interested in considering
- modular Macintosh systems," he added.
-
- Technical Specifications
-
- The Macintosh IIcx system's 68030 runs at 16MHz, as does its 80-bit precision
- 68882 math coprocessor. The 68030 has separate 256-byte caches for data and
- instructions, plus a built-in Page Memory Management Unit (PMMU) used by
- advanced multitasking operating systems such as A/UX(R), Apple's UNIX(R)
- system.
-
- Three high-performance NuBus slots allow easy expansion. Virtually all 32-bit
- expansion cards designed for the Macintosh II and IIx are immediately
- compatible. NuBus expansion cards are currently available for external
- monitors, networking, host connectivity, memory and a variety of specialized
- coprocessing applications.
-
- The industry-standard NuBus structure allows fast transfer of large quantities
- of data between add-on cards and the logic board. NuBus features fair
- arbitration and geographical addressing. These characteristics let the add-on
- cards "identify" themselves so, unlike other computers, there is no need to
- set switches to configure a system. Because NuBus cards can be placed in any
- slot, there is exceptional flexibility and ease associated with system
- configuration. In addition, through NuBus, coprocessor boards can take over
- the capabilities of the system to focus on specialized tasks.
-
- The IIcx is compatible with Macintosh II and IIx software, and the high-
- capacity SuperDrive works with Apple File Exchange to make the new system
- compatible in a multivendor environment; able to read and write MS-DOS files
- effortlessly. The logic board features 256K ROMs. In addition, there is a
- slot for future ROM SIMMs (Single In-line Memory Modules) making future
- expansion or service easy.
-
- The Macintosh IIcx can be configured with 1MB to 8MB of RAM on the logic board
- (using 1MB SIMMs). In addition to the usual complement of Macintosh ports
- (two RS232/422, two ADB(TM) [Apple Desktop Bus], SCSI and a stereo audio
- port), the IIcx features an external floppy disk drive port. Besides the
- built-in SuperDrive, the system can accommodate either 40MB or 80MB 3.5-inch
- half-height hard disks.
-
- "This new, extremely versatile Macintosh provides a platform that is easily
- configured for a wide range of uses ," said Allan Loren, president of Apple
- USA. "We believe it is sized and priced to work across the entire line of
- applications and should put it into a core position for our business and
- higher education customers."
-
- Price and availability
-
- Each Macintosh IIcx includes a mouse, System Software 6.0.3 (includes Apple
- File Exchange), HyperCard(R) software, all documentation and SuperDrive.
- Keyboard and other peripherals are sold separately.
-
- Suggested retail prices for typical configurations:
-
- 1MB RAM/SuperDrive (FDHD) $4,669
- 1MB RAM/40MB Hard Disk $5,369
- 4MB RAM/80MB Hard Disk. $7,069
- 4MB RAM/80MB Hard Disk(A/UX installed) $7,552
-
- Macintosh IIcx systems are available today at Apple resellers worldwide.
-
- Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, A/UX and HyperCard are registered trademarks
- of Apple Computer, Inc. QuickDraw, FDHD and ADB are trademarks of Apple
- Computer, Inc. UNIX is registered trademark of AT&T Information Systems.
- NuBus is a trademark of Texas Instruments.