The Macintosh 512k

Introduced in September of 1984, The Mac 512k was a Mac 128k with 384k more RAM. It was replaced in April 1986 with the 512ke, which included an 800k floppy drive, and a 128k ROM. It was discontinued later that year. The 512k sold for $3,195, and the 512ke for $1,999.

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512k Specs

• Codename: Fat Mac
• CPU: MC68000
• CPU speed: 8 Mhz
• FPU: None
• motherboard RAM: 512 k
• maximum RAM: 512 k
• number of sockets: none
• minimum speed: n/a
• ROM: 64 k (512k)/128 k (512ke)
• L1 cache: n/a
• L2 cache: n/a
• data path: 16 bit
• bus speed: 8 Mhz
• slots: none
• SCSI: none
• Serial Ports: 2
• ADB: none
• Floppy: 400 k (512k)/800 k (512ke)
• none
• CD-ROM: none
• Moniter: 1-bit (B&W) 512x342 built-in
• Sound Output: mono 8 bit (built-in speaker)
• Sound Input: none
• Ethernet: none
• Gestalt ID: 2 (512k)/3 (512ke)
• power: 60 Watts
• Weight: 16.5 lbs.
• Dimensions: 13.6" H x 9.6" W x 10.9" D
• Min System Software: 1.0
• Max System Software: 6.0.8
• introduced: September 1984 (512k)/April 1986 (512ke)
• terminated: April 1986 (512k)/September 1987 (512ke)
• Current Value: $0

Upgrades

Classic Mac Repair Tips

Check out my Mac store for parts!
Mac Plus - you can pop a Plus motherboard inside the 512k, but you'll still be limited to a 400k floppy drive and the ports won't align with the holes on the back. - you are much better off buying a REAL Plus for $1-5 at thrift stores.
There were several memory upgrade cards and CPU upgrades available 'back in the day', good luck finding them now.

The 512k was upgraded to a 512ke in September of 1987. This added an 800k floppy drive, but no SCSI port- the Plus was the first Mac to have a SCSI port, making it much more useful than the previous two Macs.

Internet

If youuse an old terminal emulation program such as White Knight or macTerminal, you can theoretically get online with a slip account - you know, the old fashioned text only interface. The only problem is most ISP's do not support modems slow enough to work on the 512.

Software

Because the 512k is so old, there are very few programs around that will run on it. Try local thrift shops and eBay.

Uses

Word Processing
Learn How To Type
Play old games
Paint programs for kids

Usenet

comp.sources.mac : Software for the Mac
comp.sys.mac.advocacy : Macintosh family compared to the others
comp.sys.mac.announce : Important notices for Mac users
comp.sys.mac.apps : Discussion of Macintosh applications
comp.sys.mac.comm : Discussion of Macintosh communications
comp.sys.mac.digest : Mac info & uses
comp.sys.mac.hardware.misc : General Mac hardware topics
comp.sys.mac.misc : General discussion about Mac
comp.sys.mac.programmer.help : Help with Mac programming
comp.sys.mac.programmer.info : FAQ
comp.sys.mac.programmer.misc : Other issues of Macintosh programming
comp.sys.mac.system : Discussion of Macintosh software system

Other

Turning your dead Mac into a MacQuarium.
My First Mac
Making a video adjustment tool
Mac 128
Macintosh 128/512
512k user group
Obsolete computer museum
Vintage 128k Mac collection
Apple's Spec page for the 128k

Some content used ith permission from Apple_history.com.