Filed under: Desktops, Hardware, Odds and ends, Retro Mac, Apple History
Here's your chance to own Gene Roddenberry's Mac
So, that's the story as we understand it. The headline has been adjusted to match the new information, and in turn we apologize for the error.We've gotten several inquires about this by the fantastically loyal and knowledgeable Mac community. After further investigating the item, here's the information:Firstly, this Macintosh was, indeed, presented to Gene Roddenberry by Apple. There is no doubt about this.The conflict between the photo and the serial number is as follows. This computer, given by Apple to Mr. Roddenberry, is an early production Macintosh 128 (#776), which was then upgraded by Apple for Gene to a Macintosh Plus-thus the model number / serial number / panel that "belongs to" a Macintosh Plus. The 0001 led us to mistakenly believe that it was the first one off the line.Again, the provenance of the item is perfect and it did belong to Mr. Roddenberry. I apologize for any confusion.
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How would you like to own the first Macintosh Plus computer? By first, I mean the one with serial number F4200NUM0001, the Mac that was given by Apple to Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. As you'll remember, a Mac Plus (presumably not this one) was used by Scotty in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Here's the description of the Mac Plus from Profiles in History:
This is the very first Macintosh Plus 1Mb personal computer to come off the assembly line at Apple Computer in Fresno, California. It was presented to Gene Roddenberry as a gift by Apple Computer, Inc. and bears the serial number F4200NUM0001. The Macintosh Plus was a revelation among personal computers when it came on the market in 1986. With 1 Mb RAM (upgradeable to 4Mb), it supported the double-sided floppy disk format and was the first Mac with a SCSI port for fast data transfer to and from an external hard drive.The Mac Plus is expected to sell for $1000 - $1200, less than half of its original purchase price. A closeup photo of the computer showed definite signs of use, including the lovely sludge that tends to build up on keyboards and mice after years of handling. For a view of the Mac Plus in all of its beige (Pantone 453) glory, read on.
The Macintosh was the first mass produced computer to utilize the mouse and the Macintosh Plus was the longest-lived Macintosh with production until 1990. It features the beige-colored case with 9 in. display, 3.5 in. floppy drive and includes the short keyboard, external floppy drive, mouse and Apple logo deluxe padded carrying case. An incredible artifact with a wonderful association between the visionary computer designer/manufacturer and legendary Star Trek creator. Accompanied by a signed letter of provenance from Gene Roddenberry's son, Rod.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
wmd said 5:10PM on 9-17-2009
LOL!
M0001 was the model number!
Sucker born every minute!
Reply
Ben said 5:16PM on 9-17-2009
Read again. Do not skim.
Hagen Kaye said 6:01PM on 9-17-2009
Yup, fake. It's not the first Mac Plus off the production line.
This auction will be pulled soon.
Magnus said 6:09PM on 9-17-2009
It was presented to Gene Roddenberry as a gift by Apple Computer, Inc. and bears the serial number F4200NUM0001.
If you read the label it has that exact serial number.
What does the mobel number have to do with it again?
Hagen Kaye said 6:21PM on 9-17-2009
Well, first the picture is not a Mac Plus. Mac Plus has the word 'Macintosh Plus' written beside the apple logo on the front. It's a picture of a Mac 128K (apple logo only on the front).
Second, Google for 'Early Mac serial number decoder' and you'll find F4200NUM0001 decodes as:
Manufactured in: F => Fremont, California, USA
Year of production: 1984
Week of production: 20
Production number: 0NU => 776
Modell ID: M0001 => original Macintosh 1984 (128k)
Your original Macintosh 1984 (128k) was the 776th Mac manufactured during the 20th week of 1984 in Fremont, California, USA.
ds said 5:10PM on 9-17-2009
I own my (and about 12 other people's) fair share of old Macs (including a set top box prototype and a 128), this one is a hell of a find. Wish I could afford.
Reply
Tacoman said 5:26PM on 9-17-2009
Why were computers always that color?
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TR said 6:30PM on 9-17-2009
I can't find it at the moment (and I doubt it applied to non-Mac computers), but there was a certain, specifically-designed scheme created for Macs' designs to base off back in their beige days. (Such as beige for body, lighter beige for screen case, the slits like on the bottom of the side in the photo above, the rainbow Apple…)
I think it had 'snow' in its codename, but all I can find is Snow Leopard stuff now.
Otherwise, my opinion would be that it was one of the cheapest colors of plastic, and, no one cared about beautiful computers when they didn't even have computers. ;-)
Alexandre Strube said 7:51PM on 9-17-2009
They weren't. Actually, Apple kinda invented blank/beige computers. Most of them were black at that time, especially the cheap ones. This specific beige is after years of wear and because the original tone was cheap. There are some people who found a chemical that is able to give them their original color - a grayish, almost-white beige.
PK said 2:07AM on 9-18-2009
Here's more info on what TR was talking about: Snow White, the special design language frogdesign came up with for Macs -
http://www.landsnail.com/apple/local/design/design2.html
David Robison said 2:18AM on 9-18-2009
I believe it was supposed to "go with" office interiors of the time.
Smoke_me_a_Kipper said 7:46AM on 9-18-2009
UV rays tend to yellow the plastic on these Macs. It's not that bad, but not quite the original colour.
Mine is a lighter shade of yellow, I can tell because the mouse I have was still sealed.
If it's a Mac plus inside, it's not an original M0001. The mother board was replaced to a Mac Plus one. Interesting if the back of the unit was replaced. The original series had no SCSI (DB25) port, the Mac Plus did. So wouldn't the back of the machine have had to been replaced OR is this unit just had it's ROMS & memory upgraded.
Two wrongs said 5:28PM on 9-17-2009
Wonder if it runs at all?
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Frank said 5:40PM on 9-17-2009
i have four of them, and they all still run. i don't see why this one wouldn't if it was stored decently and treated right during its life.
Denis Masyukov said 5:55PM on 9-17-2009
I want it! Can it run my Restaurant Share app?
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solarpos said 6:04PM on 9-17-2009
Rod Roddenberry? Bet he caught flack for that one in school.
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Cronick said 6:12PM on 9-17-2009
Not if your dad's name was Gene.
Lon Varscsak said 6:14PM on 9-17-2009
And all your friends are nerds. ;)
solarpos said 6:40PM on 9-17-2009
Rich kids are not cruelty immune.
blakespot said 6:16PM on 9-17-2009
That's an original Mac case. Are we talking about a Mac Plus here? My Mac Plus is in way better shape.
http://is.gd/3ohjC
Anyway...
Reply