The 1984 MacIntosh Computer
and Graphic Design

The Apple Macintosh 1984 Peripherals

Peripherals to the basic computer allowed graphic designers additional abilityes to use the computer for their work goals.

 

"Affordance" refers to the perceived and actual properties of a thing, primarily those functional properties that determine just how the thing could possibly be used.

Gavriel Salomon
Distributed Cognitions: Psychological and Educational Considerations p.51

 

The Apple Mouse was based on the mouse which was invented by Douglas Engelbart while he worked at SRI. It was part of the the GUI used by the  Xerox Alto computer. SRI licensed the mouse to apple for approximately $40,000.

 

Apple modified the design to be simpler and less expensive. They tested it with consumers to see how they would use it. Many prototypes were made until the final design was issued, a beige, rectangular block with one button. Multiple functions could be accomplished by combining a click of the button with a modifying key from the keyboard. The mouse rolled on a ball build into the plastic case. The user would develop eye/hand coordination as the mouse guided the items on the screen.

 

The Apple Imagewriter was dot-matrix printer that could print both text and images up to 144 ppi. It printed WYSIWYG output from the black and white screen of the computer.

 

In addition to the mouse and printer Apple also offered a modem with the software MacTerminal. A numerical keypad was available as the keyboard that came with the computer did not have numbers or arrows. A nylon carrying case with shoulder straps was available as well as a  security kit, meant for securing the computer onto an office desk.

 

All of these items had the familiar feeling of buying stereo components which would make those outside of the computer world more comfortable in making the purchases.

 

 

Apple Mouse

Apple Imagewriter