The Macintosh NC (or Mac NC) is a network computer prototype that had been in internal development by Apple Computer. However, it was never released for sale.
History[]
The Computer Chronicles - New PCs (1996)
(skip to 7m36s for Pippin prototype demo)
(skip to 15m49s for Oracle's version of the NC)
Apple had demonstrated a preliminary design based on the Pippin 2.0 specification to licensees and developers in 1996. Increased ROM space would eliminate the need to store system software on the CD-ROM, allowing diskless booting for set-top or kiosk operation.[1] Gil Amelio, the CEO of Apple Computer at the time, stated that Apple's version of a device based on Oracle's Network Computer Reference Profile would be "kind of a Pippin Plus."[2]
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs returned to the company and was named Interim CEO on September 16, 1997.[3] The Pippin was among several projects cancelled by Jobs to return Apple to profitability.[4] Jobs also disagreed with Larry Ellison of Oracle over the future of the Mac NC.[5] Jobs chose to redirect technologies from the NC project, such as its NetBoot capability. The NC evolved into the PowerPC G3-based iMac, a breakout success for Apple in 1998.[6]
References[]
- ↑ Options will make Pippin 2 a home, network computer by David Morgenstern, MacWeek vol.10-37. 1996-09-30. Archived 1996-12-20.
- ↑ NC coalition frames plans for Net boxes by James Staten, MacWeek vol.10-21. 1996-05-27. Archived 1996-12-20.
- ↑ Jobs named interim Apple CEO, C|NET. 1997-09-16.
- ↑ For the good of the company? Five Apple products Steve Jobs killed by Casey Johnston, Ars Technica. 2011-08-25.
- ↑ Jobs, Ellison out of sync on Mac NC specs by Jeff Walsh, The Apple Collection. 1997-12-29. Archived 2000-05-31.
- ↑ #1 Temporal Loop - Birth of the iMac by Thomas Hormby, The Mac Observer. 2007-05-25.
See also[]
External links[]
- Oracle Readies Low-Cost Net Cruiser at The Spokesman-Review (1996-05-21)
- Macintosh NC at the Apple Wiki
- Mac NC at Wikipedia