Apple Macintosh LC (Elsie)
Apple Macintosh LC
[vin24]
The Apple Macintosh LC, introduced in October 1990, was notable for bringing affordable color graphics to the Macintosh line, targeting education and home users with its low price and compact “pizza box” design. Its claim to fame was making color computing accessible in schools, thanks to its compatibility with the Apple IIe Card, allowing it to run a vast library of Apple II software, which was especially important for educational institutions transitioning from the Apple II series. The LC was a commercial success, selling over half a million units in its first year and becoming one of Apple’s best-selling early Macs
- Manufacturer: Apple Computer, Inc
- Type: Desktop computer
- Release Date: October 1990
- Cost at release: USD $2,499 (CAD ~$6,000 adjusted for inflation)
- MIPS: 2.2
Hardware Specifications
- CPU: Motorola 68020 @ 16 MHz
- Memory: 2 MB on motherboard, expandable to 10 MB (using two 30-pin SIMMs)
- Storage: 40 MB SCSI hard drive (typical), one or two 1.44 MB floppy drives
- Video: 256 KB or 512 KB VRAM, supporting 8-bit color at 512×384 or 640×480 resolution
- Expansion: 1 LC Processor Direct Slot (PDS), mainly for the Apple IIe Card
- Ports: SCSI, ADB, DB-15 video, printer, modem, audio out
- Weight: 8.8 pounds (4.0 kg)
- Dimensions: 2.9″ x 12.2″ x 15.3″ (7.4 x 31 x 39 cm)
Operating System & Programming Languages
Operating System: System 6.0.7 through System 7.5.5
Supported Languages: Macintosh Programmer’s Workshop, and could run languages including C, Pascal, BASIC, and HyperTalk (via HyperCard), among others. The Apple IIe Card also enabled running AppleSoft BASIC and other Apple II languages
Notables
- Nicknames: “Elsie” (from “LC”), “Pizza Box” (for its thin, flat case), “Prism Pinball”.
- The LC was designed specifically to be affordable for schools, with Apple aiming to replace the Apple IIGS in the education market.
- Its success was driven by pent-up demand for a low-cost color Mac, especially in education, and it was one of the first Macs to offer a Processor Direct Slot (PDS) for expansion.
- The Apple IIe Card for the LC allowed seamless use of Apple II software, smoothing the transition for schools invested in Apple II programs.
- The LC’s performance was limited by its 16-bit data bus, despite having a 32-bit CPU, making it slower than other Macs with the same processor.
- The LC family became a staple in North American schools throughout the 1990s
Donated by: Arlen Michaels