The late ’90s was one of many turning points in the tech industry. With the release of Windows 95 bringing computers to households, people were becoming more familiar with them than they had ever been before. They were aware of the advantages, the disadvantages, and the customs that were to be expected with a computer. With the trajectory of the tech industry and Y2K, it was due for a change, which Apple would deliver. Within weeks, the iMac had become the number-one-selling computer in the United States. It was an instant hit among consumers and prevented Apple from going out of business. Within two years, the iMac would become one of the highest-selling computers of all time. This isn’t necessarily a surprise taking everything into account. The iMac would introduce color into a tasteless PC environment. Not only did consumers have the opportunity to choose their color, but also to open a new world for those unfamiliar with computers. It would introduce a personal computer to those in a way that is fun and exhilarating. Rather than intimidating and difficult to understand. The iMac made it very clear that this is the path technology must follow.
The iMac’s ingenious design of its time not only tells a story of beautiful architecture and user convenience, but it also tells a story of redemption and hope; even sharing many parallels with its predecessor. Unlike most stories, the iMac G3 did not start easily. While the computer industry may have been thriving in the ’90s, especially in Microsoft’s case, the same thing could not be said for Apple. Unlike its pinnacle in the ’70s and ’80s, it was going under. The company was hemorrhaging money every quarter, and it was unclear if they would still be around by the 2000s. This tremendous failure was a sort of domino effect tracing back to one invention, the very invention that would lead to the conception of the iMac. This being the Macintosh, released in 1984. The Macintosh is arguably one of the most interesting stories of the information age. An invention regarded with so much ambivalence from tech historians, it has become somewhat of an enigma. Many ask “How could a computer so ahead of its time, be so behind?” The features that the Macintosh introduced were revolutionary and altered the customs in which the tech industry operated. Yet due to so many complex problems, the Macintosh did not divest which led to great strain on the company. Tensions were very high to the extent that Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, left the company in 1985. Apple’s next task was to figure out how to operate without its CEO.
What NeXT?
Apple had the Macintosh, but no vision, and Jobs had the vision, but no company. Jobs would start a new company that could re-manifest the creativity that gave him the Macintosh. Jobs’ new company would be known as NeXT. Many of Apple’s former employees would choose to follow Jobs and join his next chapter. However, this company was not focused on personal computers. As society in the ’80s wouldn’t be ready for that yet. Instead, NeXT would focus on creating workstations of the same capability for universities and schools. This vision essentially had the best of both worlds. These institutions would have the money to purchase this expensive equipment, which it would provide to the young and inexperienced that the Macintosh was primarily targeting. It was the perfect compromise that allowed people to become familiar with what the future of computing would be like, and what they could be missing out on. Considering universities only needed to purchase a few of these units, sales were poor. However, the computer’s UNIX-based OS, NeXTSTEP, was very successful. Not only did it have a robust user interface, it had a major lead in technology compared to its competitors.
NeXTSTEP focused on object-orientated architecture, which made it great for developing programs. Additionally, it had great support for rendering 3D graphics, essentially bringing the art of CGI into full force by the ’90s. Naturally, NeXT was doing quite well. Apple, however, seemed to be directionless. Apple would release uninspired upgrades to the Macintosh, which was starting to show. When Windows 95 was released with a better environment than macOS and much greater support for the internet, nobody focused on the Macintosh. This is when the decline of the company started. Apple was starting to realize the mistake it made and essentially had one last chance to save itself. After talking with Jobs, Apple acquired NeXT for $427 million and Jobs returned as the company’s interim CEO.
New Machines.
The first order of business would be to cut costs, and significantly reduce the number of computer models that were being manufactured. Apple would instead focus on creating a new laptop, and desktop. These machines would notably be designed specifically to browse the internet faster, and easier. Even easier than its widely praised Windows counterpart. To accomplish this, they would need to design them uniquely. Apple’s Industrial Design Director Jony Ive would be in charge of the job. The company needed to reflect on what made the Macintosh successful, to begin with. Then incorporate them into this machine in a way that would fit with the times. A common problem that permeated the ’90s is that these computers, although impressive and complex, were built unappealing. Not only did you have your heavy monitor, but you also had your speakers, miscellaneous peripherals, and plenty of cables. This machine would resolve these problems. It had no choice since it would make surfing the web easier.
Ive’s vision was to readapt the “all-in-one” concept. Everything was built in and only required one cable. Additionally, it was going to be presentable. It would be something you would want on your desk. What could be even more personal than letting the end-user choose which color they wanted? It was a renaissance for the Macintosh. It was the same, but different. This was because Apple was “Thinking different.” The branding had to make this distinction clear. It was a Macintosh, but it was an “Internet Macintosh.”
The Success of The iMac.
When considering everything such as the the story of the Macintosh, the success of the iMac makes sense. While the machine’s incredible design was convenient, the “all-in-one” design made it easier to connect to the internet compared to a Windows PC. The iMac came with a built-in modem. At the time, you had to provide this modem yourself if you wanted to get online. This modem would be separate from the machine you were using to sign in. You then had to get an AOL Starter Disk and make sure you had all of the necessary drivers that would allow you to use the right software that would help you connect, to begin with. Keeping this in mind, the iMac was preprogrammed with all of the necessary configurations for all of the most popular ISPs at the time. All people had to do was plug in their power and ethernet, and sign in. There was no additional step. There was another component to this, though small, that contributed to the ease of use, which would be the incorporation of Internet Explorer.
There was a time when Internet Explorer was the default browser for Apple computers, which was a decision that benefited both companies, who needed help, in their own way. As mentioned earlier, Apple was struggling. While they were still developing the iMac, a deal was made with Microsoft which would be met with a lot of resistance. While it may seem unheard of given the decade-long rivalry both of the companies had. Apple was paid $150 million to put Microsoft’s software on their Operating Systems, and to get non-voting shares within the company. This would include Internet Explorer. Which was not a coincidence. It was at this time, that Microsoft was making an effort to beat their internet competition, Netscape Navigator. This required increasing Internet Explorer’s presence as much as possible. Additionally, Internet Explorer was going to be free. Microsoft did not have any difficulties developing a browser for free since its revenue came from Windows. Netscape however could not. Which gave Microsoft an unfair advantage. Although many people still chose to pay for Netscape simply because it had a variety of support among websites and platforms. To increase Internet Explorer’s support, Microsoft would have to branch outside of Windows. Securing a deal with another popular Operating System to make their browser the system’s default meant that more people would access it, and more resources would be provided for it in the long term. This would make Internet Explorer just as capable as Netscape. A year later, Microsoft would face its consequences when Bill Gates would go on deposition for an upcoming anti-trust lawsuit. alleging that the company was trying to create a monopoly on the internet. Providing the iMac with a browser that was rapidly receiving technical support, increased the number of websites users could visit and further facilitated their online experience.
The iMac’s Features.
The iMac was ready for the future. Apple made the controversial decision to remove the Floppy Drive and replace it with an Optical-Disk Drive, as they believed that floppies were becoming outdated. They would ultimately be right. As the popularity of CDs would rapidly grow and floppies were mostly forgotten. In addition to being Y2K-safe, the iMac was designed to leave the ’90s behind and focus on the new millennium. Fittingly in the year 2000, a new change would establish Apple’s computer ecosystem for the next 20 years. With the acquisition of NeXT came the acquisition of its software, NeXTSTEP. The incredible breakthroughs it made could not be ignored. It needed to somehow be incorporated into Apple’s ecosystem.
Apple’s latest version at the time, macOS 9 did not seem different from its predecessor from a decade prior. A new era meant a new version. Taking the underlying architecture of NeXPSTEP, Apple created macOS X, introducing new features such as the Dock, Aqua interface, and most notably the UNIX Kernel. Over the years, many groundbreaking programs have made their way to this new Operating System, The iMac became synonymous with an easy and friendly computer experience. It took what was great about the Macintosh while also fixing its problems. Through its personal, striking design, it embraced a retrofuturism that generations had waited decades to finally see. Not only did the iMac show the capabilities of a computer possessed both as a utility and as a work of art. But most importantly, it showed that it’s never too late for redemption. There is always room for improvement, and figuring out what that is, is difficult. However, all it takes, is to “think different.”
