Macintosh TV

Introduced: October 1993
Terminated: February 1994

Description

The Macintosh TV was Apple’s first attempt at combining a computer with television.  The all-in-one Macintosh featured a black case with a style similar to the LC 520 and a 14” Sony Trinitron CRT.  It also had a cable-ready TV tuner card that allowed the computer to act as a television.

It was shipped with a small remote control that could be used with other Sony televisions.

History

Apple’s first attempt to integrate a computer and a television was not successful.  The television and computer functions could not be performed at the same time for the most part.  Still frames could be captured in PICT files, but the television feed could not be shown as a desktop window. 

Though the TV tuner card would become a popular option for other LCs and Performas, the Macintosh TV suffered from poor graphics quality that limited its appeal.

Specifications

Processor: Motorola 68030
Processor Speed: 32 MHz
Cache: 0.5 k L1
System Bus: 16 MHz
Hard Drive: 160 MB
Media: 2x CD-ROM, 1.44 MB floppy
Weight and Dimensions (US): 40.5 lbs., 17.9” H x 13.5” W x 16.5” D
Weight and Dimensions (Metric): 18.4 kg, 45.5 cm H x 34.3 cm W x 41.9 cm D
Original Mac OS: System 7.1 (System Enabler 404)
Maximum Mac OS: Mac OS 7.6.1
Firmware: Macintosh ROM
Model Number:—
Logicboard RAM: 4 MB
Maximum RAM: 8 MB
Type of RAM Slots: 1 - 72 pin SIMM
Minimum RAM Speed: 100 ns
Interleaving Support: No
Graphics Card: None
Graphics Memory: 512 KB
Built-in Display: 14” RGB built-in (640x480)
Display Connection: None
Expansion Slots: None
Hard Drive Bus: IDE
Backup Battery: 4.5 V Alkaline
Max Watts: 60 W
Ethernet: None
Modem: None
ADB: 2
Serial: 2
SCSI: 1 - DB-25
USB: None
FireWire: None
Audio In: 1 - 3.5-mm analog input jack, 1 - Built-in microphone
Audio Out: 2 - 3.5-mm analog output jacks, 2 - Built-in speakers

Timeline

The limited edition Macintosh TV was introduced in October 1993 and discontinued in February 1994 after selling around 10,000 units.

Videos

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