Prototypes in the wild

[kagharaht]

I've always wondered if anyone will ever sell these prototypes? Or is Apple going to keep them forever in a vault somewhere. Or worse destroyed.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

That one in particular is almost certainly not a "prototype of a computer," but just a mockup. A fancy model. Those near-universally get destroyed if they are a design that doesn't get picked for production.

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

I kind of like it. Honestly this would have been a great late-90s computer

 

[Chuckeee]

It sort of looks a little like the special Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh.

While rare there are a couple around

Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[kagharaht]

It sort of looks a little like the special Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh.

View attachment 2383449

While rare there are a couple around

Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I have one in Mint condition. Boxed back in its original packaging. Used it for many years until the OS was obsolete. I used every feature and have SVHS, Geoport Modem connected to it also.

 

[vigilant]

The Twentieth Anniversary Mac was a beauty.

Mac Repair place I worked at in college had one. Loved using it when I had the chance.

 

[mikedis]

double checking to make sure this thread isnt mac specific

Yes, if a prototype was produced in sample sizes of more than 1 or 2 units, chances are there's a number of them out in the wild. I'm a collector of prototype Apple Watch bands specifically, so while I can't speak to the distribution of macs, I can say there are some bands I have that were very rare small scale unreleased designs which most certainly weren't made to be seen by external collectors.

Just all depends on how many were produced, if any.

 

[Chuckeee]

double checking to make sure this thread isnt mac specific

Yes, if a prototype was produced in sample sizes of more than 1 or 2 units, chances are there's a number of them out in the wild. I'm a collector of prototype Apple Watch bands specifically, so while I can't speak to the distribution of macs, I can say there are some bands I have that were very rare small scale unreleased designs which most certainly weren't made to be seen by external collectors.

Just all depends on how many were produced, if any.

You got me wondering. Could you post some pictures of the more interesting ones?

 

[mikedis]

You got me wondering. Could you post some pictures of the more interesting ones?

Too many to post. One of my favorites, though, is this “Bearbrick” pattern print.