Apple Mac SE

Apple Computer, Inc. introduced the Macintosh SE as a performance-optimized evolution of the Macintosh Plus, featuring repositioned SIMMs, an FDHD drive, and a fan-cooled chassis with optional internal SCSI storage.

The Macintosh SE included active cooling, a higher-capacity 80-watt power supply, and a redesigned logic board using VLSI to consolidate circuitry and reportedly reduce production costs². While retaining the Motorola 68000 CPU of its predecessor, Apple claimed a 15 to 20 percent performance improvement through optimized board layout and faster memory access². RAM was mounted on slanted, repositioned Single In-line Memory Modules (SIMMs), with base configurations of 1 or 2 megabytes and upgrade paths officially supporting 2.5 and 4 megabytes¹.

Storage flexibility defined the SE’s configuration options: users could choose two internal 800K floppy drives, or one 800K drive paired with either a 20 MB or 40 MB internal SCSI hard disk¹. A notable enhancement over the Mac Plus was the standard inclusion of the high-density Apple Floppy Drive High Density (FDHD), capable of reading 1.4 MB disks; however, units shipped before August 1989 were equipped with the older 800K drive¹. The SCSI subsystem featured improved hardware handshaking, and external SCSI hard disks were said to transfer data at twice the rate of those on the Mac Plus².

The machine introduced the Apple Desktop Bus (ADB), with two rear-mounted connectors supporting detachable keyboards and mice; any ADB-compatible input device would function¹. Expansion was limited but present: a snap-out rear door allowed for optional external I/O devices, and an internal connector provided access to the CPU bus for potential upgrades¹. The 256K ROM included support for ADB, FDHD, SCSI, and AppleTalk enhancements¹.

Priced at US$2,898 for the base model with 1 MB RAM and dual 800K drives, the SE jumped to US$3,698 when configured with a 20 MB hard disk²⁵. In Australia, the equivalent configurations carried prices of A$5,320 and A$6,905 respectively²⁵. Apple positioned the SE as a mid-tier offering between the Macintosh Plus and the modular Mac II, leveraging the existing Mac production line for immediate shipment². Compatibility with over 90 percent of existing Mac software eased adoption²⁵.

Network expansion was possible via third-party token ring cards, priced at $795 for the SE⁷. An FDHD Upgrade Kit, allowing owners of earlier SE models to retrofit the high-density drive, was available for $599⁷. Apple File Exchange (AFE) software, included in the system software package, enabled cross-platform file translation⁷. The SE laid the groundwork for the Mac SE/30, which replaced the 68000 with a 16-MHz 68030 processor and was designated the next generation in the compact Mac line¹.

Specifications

References

1. PN 072-0228 Apple Service Technical Procedures Macintosh Family Volume One-Mar 1992 (1992)
2. 1987.04 Your Computer (1987)
3. 1987.04 Your Computer (1987)
4. M6198C Macintosh Multivendor Network Solutions Guide 199008 (1990)