02-26-2019, 11:09 PM
https://www.cultofmac.com/608928/apple-c...k-in-1984/
Apple is rumored to be using a stackable, modular design for its next Mac Pro, allowing components to be easily swapped in and out. It’s an innovative concept — but it’s not new.
In fact, Apple worked on a very similar concept way back in 1984. The so-called Jonathan Computer was ultimately deemed too “advanced and risky” by Apple bosses.
The concept of the Jonathan was reportedly inspired by the “open” architecture of the Apple II. The notion was that it would be capable of running Apple II, Mac, UNIX and DOS software. Other snap-on modules would also offer disk drives and networking capabilities.
It would allow customers to have a computer that could adapt depending on their expertise. This would have avoided lots of the hardware confusion that marked the later Mac product line.
Apple is rumored to be using a stackable, modular design for its next Mac Pro, allowing components to be easily swapped in and out. It’s an innovative concept — but it’s not new.
In fact, Apple worked on a very similar concept way back in 1984. The so-called Jonathan Computer was ultimately deemed too “advanced and risky” by Apple bosses.
The concept of the Jonathan was reportedly inspired by the “open” architecture of the Apple II. The notion was that it would be capable of running Apple II, Mac, UNIX and DOS software. Other snap-on modules would also offer disk drives and networking capabilities.
It would allow customers to have a computer that could adapt depending on their expertise. This would have avoided lots of the hardware confusion that marked the later Mac product line.
