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March 14, 1994: Apple introduces the Energy Macintosh 7100, a midrange Mac that can change into memorable for 2 causes.
The primary is that it’s among the many first Macs to make use of new PowerPC processors. The second is that it ends in Apple getting taken to courtroom by astronomer Carl Sagan — not as soon as however twice.
Energy Macintosh 7100: A strong Mac
The Energy Macintosh 7100 was certainly one of three Macs launched in March 1994, with the opposite two being the lower-end Energy Macintosh 6100 and the high-end 8100 mannequin.
The Energy Mac 7100’s PowerPC processor ran at 66 MHz (a spec that Apple upgraded to 80 MHz in January 1995). The pc’s onerous drive ranged between 250MB and 700MB in measurement. The Mac additionally sported Apple’s then-standard NuBus card slots and 72-pin paired RAM slots.
The Mac 7100 got here in a barely modified Macintosh IIvx case. (The IIvx was the primary Mac to come back in a steel case and have an inside CD-ROM drive.)
Costing between $2,900 and $3,500, the Mac 7100 was a strong piece of {hardware} that bridged the hole properly between the low-end shopper 6100 and its higher-end 8100 sibling. It was, for instance, completely able to operating two displays. Nonetheless, it might overheat when performing significantly strenuous duties reminiscent of complicated rendering of photos or movies.
The Mac 7100 in contrast with the opposite Energy Macintoshes of its day.
Photograph: Apple
Carl Sagan sues Apple over Energy Mac 7100 code title
As many Apple followers will know, the corporate’s engineers steadily give code names to initiatives they’re engaged on, both to take care of secrecy or simply for enjoyable. They gave the Energy Mac 7100 the code title “Carl Sagan” as a tribute to the well-known astronomer.
Sadly, the key in-joke spilled in a 1993 subject of MacWeek that finally discovered its method into Sagan’s arms. In a letter to MacWeek, Sagan wrote:
“I’ve been approached many occasions over the previous 20 years by people and firms looking for to make use of my title and/or likeness for business functions. I’ve all the time declined, irrespective of how profitable the supply or how vital the company. My endorsement just isn’t on the market.
Because of this, I used to be profoundly distressed to see your lead front-page story ‘Trio of Energy PC Macs spring towards March launch date’ proclaiming Apple’s announcement of a brand new Mac bearing my title. That this was completed with out my authorization or data is very disturbing. Via my attorneys, I’ve repeatedly requested Apple to make a public clarification that I knew nothing of its intention to capitalize on my repute in introducing this product, that I derived no profit, monetary or in any other case, from its doing so. Apple has refused. I’d respect it for those who so apprise your readership.”
A brand new code title: ‘Butt-Head Astronomer’
Carl Sagan wasn’t on the most effective phrases with Apple in 1994.
Photograph: Carl Sagan Planetary Society CC
Pressured to vary the code title, Apple engineers started calling the undertaking “BHA,” which stood for “Butt-Head Astronomer.”
Sagan then sued Apple over the implication that he was a “butt-head.” The decide overseeing the matter made the next assertion:
“There will be no query that the usage of the figurative time period ‘butt-head’ negates the impression that Defendant was severely implying an assertion of reality. It strains motive to conclude the Defendant was trying to criticize Plaintiff’s repute of competency as an astronomer. One doesn’t severely assault the experience of a scientist utilizing the undefined phrase ‘butt-head.’”
Nonetheless, Apple’s authorized group requested the engineers to vary the code title as soon as extra. They picked “LAW” — standing for “Legal professionals Are Wimps.”
Sagan appealed the decide’s resolution. Finally, in late 1995, the well-known astronomer reached a settlement with Apple. From that time on, Cupertino seems to have used solely benign code names associated to actions like snowboarding.
Do you keep in mind the Energy Macintosh 7100? Depart your feedback beneath.
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