Six months after the release of the Macintosh IIx Apple introduced the Macintosh IIcx on March 7, 1989. Despite resembling the IIx to a great extent, the IIcx was quieter (due to its quieter fan on a smaller power supply) than its predecessor. The design was also much more compact because it had only three NuBus slots. The new case, Apple's only to be designed to operate in either horizontal or vertical orientation, remained in use for its successors the IIci and Quadra 700. The idea for vertical orientation, one of the first minitower cases, was suggested by Apple CEO John Sculley, who was running out of space on his desk.

Users liked the Mac IIcx in part because its components and parts (such as RAM, NuBus slots, and power supply) snapped into place inside the case without the need for screws. At the IIcx's introduction, Jean-Louis Gassee demonstrated the IIcx's modular design by assembling one from parts in front of the audience. This made it less expensive to build, easier to repair, and earned it heavy praise and a warm reception amongst the Mac community.

The Apple Macintosh IIcx features a 16 MHz 68030 processor, 1 MB of RAM, a 40 MB or an 80 MB hard drive, and the option of an Apple Macintosh II video card in a compact, easy-to-expand desktop case. Basically, the Macintosh IIcx is a more compact, but less expandable, version of the previously released Macintosh IIx.

Our model No: M5650, serial no: CK4206ZM5675 together with keyboard, monitor, software and manuals was very kindly donated by Graham Sherwood. All in original boxes

Manufacturer: Apple
Date: 7th March 1989

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH4759. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.