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Apple's Early Server Strategy and the Macintosh Office Concept
Key points
- Apple's server line originated from the 1985 Macintosh Office concept.
- The AppleTalk Personal Network enabled device communication.
- The Macintosh XL served as a stopgap server solution.
- The 'Big Mac' project aimed to be a high-end file server or workstation.
Origins of Apple's Server Strategy
Apple's foray into server hardware in the early 1990s, including the Workgroup Servers, can be directly linked to the Macintosh Office concept introduced in January 1985. This initiative aimed to establish networked environments for businesses using Apple products, despite Apple not having a prior history in large-scale computing hardware.
The Macintosh Office Introduction
The Macintosh Office announcement included the AppleTalk Personal Network for device connectivity, the LaserWriter printer, and the Macintosh XL (a rebranded Lisa 2/10). The Macintosh XL, priced at $3995, was intended as a temporary solution for network file storage, with future support for PCs planned. Steve Jobs predicted 10,000 Macintosh Office networks by the end of 1985.
The 'Big Mac' Vision
The Macintosh XL was a stopgap until the 'Big Mac' project, envisioned as the central component of the Macintosh Office. This project aimed to create a high-end file server or workstation, potentially running a Unix-based operating system with a Macintosh interface. Internally, it was also known as the '3M' project, indicating its advanced specifications.
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Reporting from
This article discusses the historical context of Apple's server development, tracing it back to the failed Macintosh Office concept in the mid-1980s. It explains how early products like the AppleTalk Personal Network and the Macintosh XL were foundational to Apple's eventual server offerings, including the Workgroup Servers.