Ever since it launched in 1984, the 128K Apple Macintosh has been a classic staple of computer history, introduce the public to an amazing new graphic interface, mouse and other fresh features.

Compact by the standards of the time, it felt like a universe of power was packed inside the small shell, and this detailed illustration brings that idea to life in a quite literal way.

This homage by Dorothy is a three-color litho print cutaway that imagines entire worlds unfolding inside the shell of this vintage computer, with various hints and allusions to Apple and its founder, Steve Jobs.

From the creators: “Dorothy’s new cutaway print imagines the internal going-ons inside the original Apple Macintosh. Look closely at our miniature world and the tiny people that work in it and discover what they get up to when no one is watching. Find the many references to Apple (and popular culture) woven into the illustration.”

The post Mac Fan Art Turns Classic Apple Computer into a Micro-City first appeared on Gajitz.

Paying tribute to vintage characteristics of old Macintosh desktop computers as well as contemporary streamlined Apple designs, this sleek combination features elements of iPhone, iPads and the Apple Air.

Developed by Curved Labs in Germany, the design features the best of all worlds: stylistic elements referencing classic computers but the complete touchscreen functionality and streamlined construction of newer models.

Iconic elements like the vintage floppy disk drive slot are reintroduced with twists, in this case: the opening becomes a port for portable flash drives.

Shown in gray, gold and silver and set face to face with the original sources of inspiration it is easy to see how the concept was derived but also where it departs from its predecessors.

The design is intended, in part, to be a statement about change over time, with an interested in preserving some kind of aesthetic integrity over generations of development.

The post Retro Hybrid: Remixing Classic Mac & Classy Apple Designs first appeared on Gajitz.

Apple’s iconic designs have changed the way we look at consumer electronics, from the Apple II in 1977 to the sleek iPhones and iPads we all seem to carry around today. This short video gives a quick run-down of every one of them (almost) – all the way from the beginning to the present.

Put together by Rob BeSchizza, the video is a fun journey through the design evolution that created the largest publicly-traded company in the world. As the video progresses, the designs eventually morph from large and boxy to sleek and rounded. Don’t blink, though, or you might miss your favorite.

The post A Bite of Tech History: Every Apple Design in 30 Seconds first appeared on Gajitz.

The top of your MacBook has that iconic Apple logo to make it interesting, and if you ever get sick of that there’s a dizzying array of decals to jazz up the cover. But where’s the love for the bottom of your computer? Never fear – there’s finally a decal for the bottom of your MacBook and it’s one of the coolest Mac accessories ever. The sticker lets you take a look into the guts of your machine, just as if the bottom cover was missing altogether.

The image on the decal is 1:1 size, so all of the components are the right size and in the right places. It’s startlingly realistic, so you might get some weird looks when pulling your computer out in public. They’re available for 13 and 15-inch Macbooks for $17 from Etsy seller CrystalMacBook.

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Everything is coming up Apple lately. The iPad is surpassing expectations, the newly-announced next-gen iPhone is creating a stir, and Apple recently overtook Microsoft as the world’s most valuable tech company. But not everything Apple touches turns to gold. They’ve seen their fair share of flops over the company’s long history. The above Macintosh Portable was Apple’s first attempt at a portable, fully-featured, battery-powered computer. At 16 pounds, its portability could be debated; the battery power was laughable and the thing couldn’t even boot if the battery was unable to hold a charge. The Mac Portable was discontinued just a year after its introduction.

The Apple MessagePad – often mistakenly called the Newton (which was actually the name of the OS) – is one of Apple’s most famous flops. To be fair, the device was not a terrible failure and still boasts a very large base of devoted fans. The most logical explanation for its commercial failure and quick discontinuation is that the MessagePad was a bit ahead of its time. The handwriting recognition was weak, the battery life was severely limited, and the original version lacked desktop connectivity. Still, CNET UK compared the MessagePad to the iPhone in 2009 and declared the Newton device superior to its “grandchild” because of its innovation at the time of its release.

The Twentieth Anniversary Mac was one of the most aesthetically beautiful Apple computers ever. Its sleek, modern form was unlike anything the world had seen when it was released in March of 1997. Unfortunately, it was widely thought that Apple had put way too much thought into its form and not nearly enough into its function. The original price of $7,499 was shocking, even though the price had originally been predicted at $9,000 (including a direct-to-door concierge delivery and setup service). Later, following widespread criticism of its high price and limited function, the price dropped as low as $1,995 – below the cost of production. Despite being technically disappointing, the extreme scarcity and attractive appearance of the TAM has made it a sought-after collectible for Apple enthusiasts.

The post Infamous Misses: 3 of Apple’s Most Notable Product Flops first appeared on Gajitz.