A Classic II/LC III laptop/book….

[-SE40-]

Good info!
But looking at the display hinge, this shows it was much later in 1984.
While the first book hinge shows up in the model of 1980.

Right?
Or?

 

[-SE40-]

This is interesting as it can hinge, and slide for and backward….(I suspect)

 

[retr01]

Hey @-SE40- remember the MacBook design with an integrated touch screen back in 1984 that you discussed earlier? It turns out that Frog Design and Apple did muse on the "MacSlate" designs back then in the same year. Wow! Cool, huh?!

I am not sure if Jobs liked the term "MacSlate." Years later, Apple's iPad would be released as presented by excited Steve Jobs on April 3, 2010.

 

[retr01]

Good info!
But looking at the display hinge, this shows it was much later in 1984.
While the first book hinge shows up in the model of 1980.
Right?
Or?

No. 1980 is too early. Steve Jobs did not meet Hartmut Essingler until January 1982. I do not know why that person representing CNET referred to the 1984 design as 1980 in the Pinterest post. That is incorrect.

This Designer Told Young Steve Jobs His Computers Were Ugly, And What Happened Next Changed Apple Forever

Esslinger looks back on his time working with Steve Jobs.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[-SE40-]

So cnet is wrong, than it cant be earlier tha 1982-1983?

 

[retr01]

So cnet is wrong, than it cant be earlier tha 1982-1983?

Correct. Hartmut started designing for Apple circa 1982.

 

[retr01]

This is interesting as it can hinge, and slide for and backward….(I suspect)

And based on the gutters on both sides of the design lines, it appears to be able to slide closer to the keyboard and back, too.

 

[-SE40-]

Interresting developments timeline……

 

[-SE40-]

Sliding and twisting is a risky choice, as in for the engineering business side….

 

[retr01]

Interresting developments timeline……

Yeah.

• January 1982 - Steve Jobs greets Hartmut, who tells Jobs that Apple computers are ugly.
• Steve Jobs brings Hartmut onboard as a world-class designer
• Hartmut begins designing as Frog Designs for Apple that same year.
• 1983 - Designs shift towards the Snow White language, starting with the Apple //c.
• January 24, 1984 - Mac 128k is released.
• 1984 - Designs for the new Macs.
• September 10, 1984 - Mac 512k is released.
• January 16, 1986 - Mac Plus is released.
• March 2, 1987 - Apple released Mac SE and Mac II with Snow White designs of Hartmut.

Now, here's the thing. Why were the Mac 128, 512k, and Plus still of the "ugly" designs that Hartmut eschewed? Why did it take Apple near the end of the first quarter of 1987 to finally release using the Snow White design language? That is fascinating. I suspect Steve didn't give much thought, or it was a big rush that Jobs missed two deadlines at the ire of the evil Arthur Rock and the Board of Apple.

The "ugly" designs of the first three compact Macs, the missed deadlines, the jacked-up prices, and the not connecting full 24-bit addressing from the 32-bit 68000 are some of the many dark parts of Apple's history caused by executives and Board members. The engineers, employees, dealers, suppliers, developers, and even consumers take the brunt from Apple's executives and suffer bad tastes.

 

[retr01]

Sliding and twisting is a risky choice, as in for the engineering business side….

I agree. Apple today will not use swivel LCD hinge designs as some "tablet convertible" PC laptops have because of weak points and are easily breakable.

 

[-SE40-]

Update!

Shortened a bit, to size the LCIII in decently.
Fits both ways….connectors to the side, back or to keep those even internal.

 

[Trash80toG4]

Very nice! I thought the LCD was going to be hinged at the front edge per the Black version pic?

 

[Trash80toG4]

Now, here's the thing. Why were the Mac 128, 512k, and Plus still of the "ugly" designs that Hartmut eschewed? Why did it take Apple near the end of the first quarter of 1987 to finally release using the Snow White design language? That is fascinating

The Mac's case tooling was well into development (Twiggy Mac) by the time the Hartmut connection was made and Snow White slowly came into the picture. The Mac was far behind schedule and an untextured prototype TwiggyMac front bezel was was savagely mauled with a router for Sony 3.5" FDD test fitting sometime in 1983?

For approx. timeline, check the Twiggy/Sony FDD brouhaha on Folklore: Quick, Hide In This Closet!

 

[retr01]

The Mac's case tooling was well into development (Twiggy Mac) by the time the Hartmut connection was made and Snow White slowly came into the picture. The Mac was far behind schedule and an untextured prototype TwiggyMac front bezel was was savagely mauled with a router for Sony 3.5" FDD test fitting sometime in 1983?

For approx. timeline, check the Twiggy/Sony FDD brouhaha on Folklore: Quick, Hide In This Closet!

LOL! Now, that was funny at the end of the story hiding the Japanese engineer from Sony in a closet when Jobs walked into the area. From the folklore page (adapted to modern grammar):

George knew that Steve would wonder who Kamoto-san was if he saw him. Thinking quickly, he immediately tapped Kamoto-san on his shoulder and sputtered, pointing at the nearby janitorial closet. "Dozo, quick, hide in this closet. Please! Now!"​

​

Kamoto-san looked confused, but he got up and hurried into the dark janitorial closet. He had to stay there for five minutes until Steve departed and the coast was clear.​

​

George and Larry apologized to Kamoto-san for their unusual request. "No problem, " he replied, "But American business practices are very strange. Very strange."​

I am glad that Apple finally updated the Sony 3.5" drives. Yeah, they messed up and delayed the release a few times of the Macintosh, mainly because Jobs seemly could not make up his mind or there was some new things coming up, like the Sony 3.5" drive.

 

[retr01]

Hey @-SE40-! That is an AMAZING design of your new case from one of Hartmut's designs. Awesome!

One idea I have is to use small magnets situated inside the bevel of the top of the LCD screen and the bottom of the recession where the LCD screen closes in. It will not open when you carry it until you lift the LCD. That is what Apple does in modern MacBook Air and Pro now.

 

[-SE40-]

@Trash80toG4 as for you post 153- „If noting works, a more konventional hinge can be applied.
Time will tell…..“

The display is just there for the complete picture,
to keep proportions in the eye.
If placed more backwards the display can hinge forward, to close and protect the display.
As the whole case is just 345mm deep, I feel the eyedistace wont become much of an issue.

I stil like the idea to slide it front-backwards.
the mission impossible lets call that
I am also thinking magnets….to click the whole display on, and off.
There is space underneath the case to store the display. Maybe that was Hartmuts initial idea?
This would also explain the step they made in the backside of the model.

The displays hinge or mounting position remains undecided until making a volume model to toy with.

 

[Trash80toG4]

Hartmut and the Tadpoles were tripping the Mac fantastic before LCD tech with its ribbon cable limitations were really a thing, no? I've got a plug-in LCD setup in a laptop I was repurposing for OrangePi playtime. I'll see if I can post some pics of that. It's the only way I can think of offhand to gain the flexibility you seem need.

 

[-SE40-]

@Trash80toG4 , some extra info is always good!
@retr01 post 137 link video shows also some great info on that

 

[retr01]

@retr01 post 173

Where's post #173? We have 160 posts so far in this thread, including this one.

Yes, great video! I agree.