Generative Art Timeline · Chapter 6: Personal Computer Era (1980s)

1987

Apple Introduces the Mac II

Invention · North America

Apple Introduces the Mac II
Wikipedia. 2023. "Macintosh II." Wikimedia Foundation. Last modified October 1, 2023. en.wikipedia.org.

With the introduction of the Mac II, Apple ushered in a new era of computing with the first 32-bit Mac. This desktop computer boasted groundbreaking features such as color graphics, expansion slots and enhanced processing power, making it the first Mac with color capabilities.

The Mac II became a powerhouse for creative professionals, offering unprecedented capabilities for graphic design, desktop publishing and multimedia production. For instance, with the right graphics card, the Mac II could handle up to 16.7 million colors. Its modular design and color capabilities transformed the Macintosh into a versatile platform, solidifying Apple’s impact on the PC market.

The machine was still quite expensive, selling at $3,898 for the most basic model, roughly $10,556 in 2023.

Text by Peter Bauman. Generative Art Timeline, Le Random, fact-checked September 2026.

Sources

Movements

computer art, digital art, graphic design

Filed under

Ideas
digital art, graphic design, market
Technologies
computer art, desktop publishing, Mac II, Macintosh, multimedia, personal computer, Processing
Organisations
Apple

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