68kMLA Classic Interface

This is a version of the 68kMLA forums for viewing on your favorite old mac. Visitors on modern platforms may prefer the main site.

Click here to select a new forum.

Mac 128K/512K manufactured in May 1984?

Posted by: neo on 2024-02-18 16:43:38

I acquired a Macintosh a while ago and I always thought it was a stock 512K fat Mac, as I saw the typical "Macintosh 512K" badge on the back. A few weeks ago, I checked the serial number on the bottom and it actually was "M0001"! I guess this was originally a 128K and then upgraded to 512K. I checked the info on macfaq.org and this is what I got "Your Macintosh 128 (M0001), with serial number FxxxxxxM0001, was the 5227th manufactured during the 26th week of 1984 in Fremont, CA."

This really threw me off as according to Wiki, "By April 1984 the company sold 50,000 Macintoshes, and hoped for 70,000 by early May and almost 250,000 by the end of the year." How could my Mac be manufactured in May 1984 as the 5227th unit if by April there were already 50k units sold?

Am I missing anything here? btw, is this machine worth more or less than a regular 512k?

Posted by: Gunzel on 2024-02-18 17:21:01

Isn’t it saying that it was the 5227th manufactured for the week?

Posted by: joshc on 2024-02-19 02:36:58

Isn’t it saying that it was the 5227th manufactured for the week?

This.

Posted by: Snial on 2024-02-19 06:07:58

It's also worth remembering that although the initial sales of the 128K were pretty much as hoped for, by December 1984 they were down to 10K/month. The question then is whether the 5227th Mac 128K manufactured in week 26 was sold before weeks 26 (as there might have been a bit of a backlog at that time) or after week 26.

The Mac Lab at UEA where I first used a Mac (I couldn't photo it, because I was too embarrassed to take my Boots Instamatic camera to Uni and didn't get another camera until Jan 1989), was populated with upgraded Mac 128Ks, because I don't even remember seeing them have a 128K or 512K written on them (though I don't think I checked the back, despite having to plug the mouse in them on numerous occasions).

Does anyone have the monthly production / sales / delivery data for 1984 onwards? Does it exist?

The Macintosh turns 30: Going the distance

Apple's Macintosh arrived with great fanfare, but the computer that aimed to show why 1984 wouldn't be like "1984" barely made its debut. Here's the story of how it came to be.

www.cnet.com

Posted by: neo on 2024-02-19 21:09:15

Thanks guys for the info. it makes a lot more sense now. Also like the article shared by Snial which really gives a full history of the Macintosh 👍