This story appeared in the April issue of VICE magazine. Click HERE to subscribe.
Apple officially turns 41 years old this month. But along with that milestone comes a stranger one that the world’s wealthiest tech company is unlikely to publicize: the 20th anniversary of the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh (TAM).
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In 1996, Apple had reached two decades of existence without commemorating the event with new technology, but in January 1997, which marked the 20th anniversary of the company’s incorporation, it announced TAM. In many ways, this gorgeous, mostly forgotten piece of computing hardware set the stage for the ultra sleek, chic Apple of 2017.
Released on March 20, the TAM was essentially the computing version of a concept car, an innovation showcase. It compared to a car in another way: it was expensive, costing $7,499 upon its release. After its launch event, The New York Times called the ambitious effort a “Ferrari-on-a-desktop.”
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