 - The Macintosh (often called "the Mac"), introduced in 1984 by Apple Computer, was the first widely-sold personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). The Mac was designed to provide users with a natural, intuitively understandable, and, in general, "user-friendly" computer interface. Many of the user interface ideas in the Macintosh derived from experiments at the Xerox Parc laboratory in the early 1970s, including the mouse, the use of icons or small visual images to represent objects or actions, the point-and-click and click-and-drag actions, and a number of window operation ideas. Microsoft was successful in adapting user interface concepts first made popular by the Mac in its first Windows operating system.
The Macintosh has its own operating system, Mac OS which, in its latest version is called Mac OS X. Originally built on Motorola's 68000 series microprocessors, Mac versions today are powered by the PowerPC microprocessor, which was developed jointly by Apple, Motorola, and IBM. The Mac is actually a line of personal computers, configured for individual users and businesses with different needs. The iMac provides the Mac technology and interface in a low-cost package.
While Mac users represent only about 5% of the total numbers of personal computer users, Macs are highly popular and almost a cultural necessity among graphic designers and online visual artists and the companies they work for. In general, Mac users tend to be enthusiasts.
| CONTRIBUTORS: |
Steve Mullany and John C. Watson |
| LAST UPDATED: |
04 Aug 2001
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