Mac NC

The Mac NC, or Macintosh NC, is a prototype networked thin client from Apple, expected for release by April 1998. The device was widely promoted by then-Apple director Larry Ellison, apparently as part of his Oracle Network Computer initiative. Mac NC was canceled, and its key technology components were inherited by the iMac G3, which was released in August 1998.

History

On May 21, 1996, Oracle Corporation, along with 30 hardware and software vendors, announced an intent to design computers around the "network computer platform".^[1] Products based on the Network Computer Reference Profile include diskless nodes, applications coded in cross-platform languages such as Java, and Internet connectivity using common software such as Netscape Navigator.

In May 1996, Apple partnered in the network computing effort, with the Pippin as its flagship.^[2]

On July 9, 1997, Gil Amelio was removed as CEO of Apple by its board of directors. Steve Jobs became interim CEO, to begin a critical restructuring of the company's product line. He became CEO until August 2011, shortly before his death.

Oracle Corporation CEO and Apple board member Larry Ellison announced in December 1997, while talking to the Harvard Computer Society, that Apple would release a product called the Macintosh NC in April 1998. He suggested the network computer would have a "near-300 MHz" processor, a 17-inch screen, a price under US$1,000 (equivalent to $1,900 in 2023), and a hard disk drive option at $100.

Steve Jobs did not agree, stating via email, "Unfortunately, [Ellison] is pretty far off base [...] Maybe he is trying to deflect interest from what we are really doing."^[3] While at Oracle, Ellison had overseen the development of a business alliance that produced several Network Computer-branded devices from companies such as Sun and IBM. Apple never manufactured any devices under the Oracle alliance, but did endorse the Network Computer Reference Profile.

Jobs had already stopped all Macintosh clone efforts, including the Pippin concept and any prospects of the Mac NC.

Ultimately the technology shipped as NetBoot with the release of Mac OS X Server 1.0 in January 1999.

References

^ "Oracle, Partners Unveil Network Computer Platform". Oracle Corporation. 1996-05-21. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
^ The Harvard Conference on The Internet and Society. O'Reilly & Associates. March 1997. ISBN 9780674459328. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
^ Apple Prototype

External links

Birth of the iMac article at The Mac Observer

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[ncp1-1] "Oracle, Partners Unveil Network Computer Platform". Oracle Corporation. 1996-05-21. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2012-12-01.

[ncp2-2] The Harvard Conference on The Internet and Society. O'Reilly & Associates. March 1997. ISBN 9780674459328. Retrieved 2012-12-01.

[3] Apple Prototype

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