Just got a Macintosh SE

[bdparrish]

I just received a Macintosh SE from a family member. I looked up the serial number from this site (http://myoldmac.net/FAQ/Mac-Serialnumber-decoder-e.php) and was told that I had a Macintosh SE from the 1986 production and was the 13,475th produced in that year. Looking at Wikipedia it says this model wasn't produced until 1987. Can someone explain what is going on? Also, can anyone suggest a restoration or repair capability for one of these machines?

 

[Peadogie]

For compairison sake you could try looking it up on Everymac.com. In my experience, they have always had very accurate info.
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_classic/index-vintage-classic-macs.html

Sorry I can't help with repair/restoration.

 

[defjam]

I just received a Macintosh SE from a family member. I looked up the serial number from this site (http://myoldmac.net/FAQ/Mac-Serialnumber-decoder-e.php) and was told that I had a Macintosh SE from the 1986 production and was the 13,475th produced in that year. Looking at Wikipedia it says this model wasn't produced until 1987. Can someone explain what is going on? Also, can anyone suggest a restoration or repair capability for one of these machines?

I might be able to help you out. I'm currently working on three of them right now. What kind of restoration / repair help do you need?

Feel free to PM me if I don't respond (I do not check this forum regularly).

 

[MacTech68]

Machines are given a serial number at time of manufacture. The first machines are made prior to the release date. This means the first machines sold are often dated a few months prior (especially way back in the 1980s).

 

[Anonymous Freak]

First, make sure that you're entering the serial number correctly! The second character is the last digit of the year it was made - so if your serial number starts with "F6" then it was indeed made in 1986.

They always had to start production months ahead of actual "went on sale" date to have inventory to sell. The SE was officially released in March 1987, so having production start in late 1986 makes sense.

I have an original Macintosh (aka "Macintosh 128k") that has a manufacture date of mid-December 1983, a month before it was unveiled!