Thread
Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh - Hail to the king, baby!
Well, I finally got my TAM! It was in Customs for almost two weeks...
Everything is great, just as I had hoped. Hardly any marks on it, and came with pretty much most of what it originally had. I was able to source a keyboard for it, which will hopefully get here in the next week or two.
It's still in its original spec (250MHz PPC, 2GB HDD, 32MB RAM), and even had the original Packing List. The computer was used by a High School Principal in the US, for about a year until he transferred to a different school in a different state. No additional files seem to be on here after this time, so I'm guessing the computer had about a year of basic use and then went into storage. I love backstory on old computers!
Anyhoo, here's some pics:
Everything is great, just as I had hoped. Hardly any marks on it, and came with pretty much most of what it originally had. I was able to source a keyboard for it, which will hopefully get here in the next week or two.
It's still in its original spec (250MHz PPC, 2GB HDD, 32MB RAM), and even had the original Packing List. The computer was used by a High School Principal in the US, for about a year until he transferred to a different school in a different state. No additional files seem to be on here after this time, so I'm guessing the computer had about a year of basic use and then went into storage. I love backstory on old computers!
Anyhoo, here's some pics:
I have always liked the look of the TAM. Pretty much all I would do to one if I ever got a hold of one would be to upgrade CPU, max the memory and put in a faster / more power efficient HD. Someday I will own one. It will be a perfect machine to keep on functional display and should work just fine for playing music with those wonderful speakers and for running older OS 8/9 programs and occasional crawl through wikipedia (a site on which I have been known to go for a quick look-see and end up spending hours).
Congrats on the fine score you got there.
Now look over there.
/runs of with TAM.
Congrats on the fine score you got there.
Now look over there.
/runs of with TAM.
Jut got the TAM keyboard for it, so I have a complete system!
I aim to ramp up the RAM to the maximum 128MB, and leave it at that. 2GB is more than enough for my plans, so the HDD will be left. And I won't be playing with any G3 upgrades. I'm pretty happy with how it is right now, I am just going to leave it fairly stock.
I aim to ramp up the RAM to the maximum 128MB, and leave it at that. 2GB is more than enough for my plans, so the HDD will be left. And I won't be playing with any G3 upgrades. I'm pretty happy with how it is right now, I am just going to leave it fairly stock.
Though no heavyweight, any 603ev processor with 256k L2 cache is a pretty good performer; my PowerBook 2400c does just fine at 180MHz, running 8.6 and a suitable range of applications from the 90s. Just don't go installing 9.1 and all will be well, as even a 604e-based machine is slow running 9.1.
So I wouldn't upgrade a TAM, except for the drive, a brand new one of which might be a good idea after all these years. Any of the really rare machines, and the TAM especially, are best seen as period pieces and left as such. Running the right software, it will be a fast machine, and there is a sort of wisdom that comes from learning to live with limitations rather than trying always to overcome them.
And that last point, I suppose, is what this site is largely about. Congratulations — we are all envious.
***
PS: There is a patched version of iTunes for 8.6, by the way, and you'd want that on there if you ever got the idea to pop in a large HD and use the machine for audio.
So I wouldn't upgrade a TAM, except for the drive, a brand new one of which might be a good idea after all these years. Any of the really rare machines, and the TAM especially, are best seen as period pieces and left as such. Running the right software, it will be a fast machine, and there is a sort of wisdom that comes from learning to live with limitations rather than trying always to overcome them.
And that last point, I suppose, is what this site is largely about. Congratulations — we are all envious.
***
PS: There is a patched version of iTunes for 8.6, by the way, and you'd want that on there if you ever got the idea to pop in a large HD and use the machine for audio.
I had Audion recommended to me, so I'll give that a go tonight. I don't want to upgrade from 7.6.1, I love System 7, and this is the only one in my collection that has it. Plus, it is the original install, and I love original.
I know some people out there will not understand why I wouldn't upgrade, but I want to leave her alone and enjoy her the way she left the factory.
I know some people out there will not understand why I wouldn't upgrade, but I want to leave her alone and enjoy her the way she left the factory.
I understand why you want to leave it pretty stock.
I only suggested replacing the hard drive with something newer for reasons such as reliability and speed. Those old hard disks are quite slow. A G3 would be nice, but the 603ev is a good chip. I had one in a 3400 and it never let me down.
I would replace it, but it actually seems quite fast! It sure surprised me, but it opens fast, and I'm never waiting on the disk. I think the only limitation is the RAM at the moment, but as soon as I add that, I'm sure there will be something else slowing me down...
Got my favourites on there at the moment, After Dark with Lunatic Fringe, Maelstrom, Sim City 2000, and of course, F/A-18 Hornet 2.0, all on System 7. I am 12 all over again!
Got my favourites on there at the moment, After Dark with Lunatic Fringe, Maelstrom, Sim City 2000, and of course, F/A-18 Hornet 2.0, all on System 7. I am 12 all over again!
My TAM has a Sonnet Crescendo G3 upgrade as well as the full 128MB RAM. I also have the ethernet adapter for it, and a PCI USB card. I use mine mainly for display and as a music player via either CD or iTunes, but I also run misc old software (mostly games) on it.
I am running OS 9.1 on it.
It looks really neat in the living room
I am running OS 9.1 on it.
It looks really neat in the living room
I moved my all in one printer/fax/scanner on top of a small drawer unit next to my desk, and the TAM went in it's place. I'm like you Byrd, I can't pack this one away. I love walking into my study and seeing the TAM. I've got it connected to the net, and have downloaded all sorts of software for it. But my favourites are Maelstrom and SimCity 2000, it reminds me of my childhood on the family LC575. My favourite game was F/A-18 Hornet 2.0, which I got recently with a Power Mac 5500 acquisition. Haven't played that yet, but I'm loving it. And the Bose system is great!
C'mon Bunsen, you know you want to!
I'm actually using mine at the moment, playing mp3's through the gorgeous sound system. I had to burn my mp3's to a CD and then copy them over to play on the TAM, which defeats the purpose but I have no other form of mass media to transfer the data easily.
It is easily my most used, highly anticipated and easy to use Mac, with my favourite System, in a hot package, and the jewel in my collection. I'm proud to own it, and as soon as I got it, I decided I didn't really need to add to the collection. Unless it is local or a bargain, I won't be actively sourcing more Macs for the collection. I probably have enough anyhoo.
I'm actually using mine at the moment, playing mp3's through the gorgeous sound system. I had to burn my mp3's to a CD and then copy them over to play on the TAM, which defeats the purpose but I have no other form of mass media to transfer the data easily.
It is easily my most used, highly anticipated and easy to use Mac, with my favourite System, in a hot package, and the jewel in my collection. I'm proud to own it, and as soon as I got it, I decided I didn't really need to add to the collection. Unless it is local or a bargain, I won't be actively sourcing more Macs for the collection. I probably have enough anyhoo.
I'll have to sell off a few things first - and some kind of Intel Mac comes before any more collector's items.
While I totally understand you wanting to keep it stock, mine would def get some upgrades:
- G3
- CF or SSD
- 2x PCI riser and backshell
- Sonnet Tempo Trio or SATA
- ATI with DVD playback* and S-Video in
- DVD drive - Firewire/internal hack*
- MacOS 8.1 - 9.x
- USB 5.1 surround
* if there is some way of feeding the ATI's output back to the internal display
You know I'm kidding right? I would do exactly the same thing if I had a second one. I just can't bring myself to mod my only one.
I know they can be put back to standard setup, but I just can't do it. Plus, it suits my needs perfectly, so I don't really need to do it.
C'mon, you've got to get one and pimp it!
I know they can be put back to standard setup, but I just can't do it. Plus, it suits my needs perfectly, so I don't really need to do it.
C'mon, you've got to get one and pimp it!
Hey Bunsen,
if you really want an Intel Mac, I'd go a Hackintosh - choose your parts carefully and once you get past the initial intricacies of installing OS X, it works a treat. Knowing you're like me, you like to tinker and it's just not possible with any Intel Mac these days. Cheap and nasty yes, but when it's one fifth of the price, you can't go wrong.
Regarding TAM hacks - I believe two-slot PCI riser cards don't work, however DVD playback is an interesting one - the TAM's optical drive is basically an Apple CD 600 4X drive with a custom fascia and harness to make it work in it's unusual manner. I wonder if a DVD SCSI drive - with similar schematics to the CD 600 drive - would go in there? One thing I would like to find is the adapter for video out (mirrored), which some 5500 machines had. The 6500 had video out as part of the edge harness.
I've seen some junked TAMs on eBay from time to time, which would be asking for a mod. The stock innards are a mess - definately seeming more like a prototype or rushed-to-market machine. The housing is big and ugly enough to put something else inside.
Seen this?
JB
if you really want an Intel Mac, I'd go a Hackintosh - choose your parts carefully and once you get past the initial intricacies of installing OS X, it works a treat. Knowing you're like me, you like to tinker and it's just not possible with any Intel Mac these days. Cheap and nasty yes, but when it's one fifth of the price, you can't go wrong.
Regarding TAM hacks - I believe two-slot PCI riser cards don't work, however DVD playback is an interesting one - the TAM's optical drive is basically an Apple CD 600 4X drive with a custom fascia and harness to make it work in it's unusual manner. I wonder if a DVD SCSI drive - with similar schematics to the CD 600 drive - would go in there? One thing I would like to find is the adapter for video out (mirrored), which some 5500 machines had. The 6500 had video out as part of the edge harness.
I've seen some junked TAMs on eBay from time to time, which would be asking for a mod. The stock innards are a mess - definately seeming more like a prototype or rushed-to-market machine. The housing is big and ugly enough to put something else inside.
Seen this?
JB
Excellent... A bit offtopic, but the picture of your lab applefreak is AWESOME!!! I'll have to post pics of my kindred lab to yours sometime soon once I get the cubicle area finished and the rest of the basement sorted.
My question to you is?
I see you have a Tape 40SC there on your storage shelf? Do you have any experience repairing/replacing out the gumming/disintegrating rubber drive wheels in those? I have about 8 of them and all of them would easily destroy the few tapes I have left if I even attempted to use them.
I LOVED those drives since they were fully block addressable, not just linear reads. When my HD died in college back in the early 90's I used to boot my IIGS off the tape drive to System 6.01 IIGS.. Took 35 minutes but it worked and saved a few of my term papers that week.
My question to you is?
I see you have a Tape 40SC there on your storage shelf? Do you have any experience repairing/replacing out the gumming/disintegrating rubber drive wheels in those? I have about 8 of them and all of them would easily destroy the few tapes I have left if I even attempted to use them.
I LOVED those drives since they were fully block addressable, not just linear reads. When my HD died in college back in the early 90's I used to boot my IIGS off the tape drive to System 6.01 IIGS.. Took 35 minutes but it worked and saved a few of my term papers that week.
You'd be right - sort of. The "thin back" does not allow for the PCI riser card to be installed, or any additional cards. The "fat back" allows for a single PCI slot riser plus a CommSlot II riser - which would be housing an ethernet card. What do you do with the additional PCI slot? Ideally a FW/USB card, but mine doesn't work - found a patch though I need to test - so it's usually a USB 1.1 card in there.
I'm missing the CommSlot riser on mine
, but at least I can put large files onto it using a USB stick.JB
Bunsen, here's a link for you:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Twentieth-Anniversary-Macintosh-TAM-20th-Apple-Mac-/290489567705?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a28709d9
Get it posted to a freight forwarder, it would cost about $200 in postage. But, on the plus side, you'd have a TAM!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Twentieth-Anniversary-Macintosh-TAM-20th-Apple-Mac-/290489567705?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a28709d9
Get it posted to a freight forwarder, it would cost about $200 in postage. But, on the plus side, you'd have a TAM!
I had the TAM and fully loaded it with Sonnet G3 card, USB/Firewire and ethernet! But if I were to do it all over, I'd probably just max out the RAM but otherwise leave it alone. Really neat for running vintage software, but not so much for modern day-to-day tasks: A $300 notebook/netbook would be a better pick there.
UPDATE: I have upped the RAM to 128MB (thanks Byrd!) and have installed USB (Byrd again) but this won't run as I'm still on 7.6.1. It already had Ethernet, so that's all good.
I've also been able to source a Sonnet G3 L2 400MHz card from Classic (cheers, arrived today!) but haven't installed this yet. He was kind enough to make a CD with the drivers, so this process should be very straight forward.
I also was able to source another TAM, this one boots to the login screen and then freezes with an Address Error or mainly a Bus Error. It has the little panels that mine was missing, so I now have a more complete TAM. Oh, and it came with the disks they originally shipped with, and interestingly, 2 copies of the System Software disks. I spent quite a bit of time on this last month and was able to rule out HDD, cache and RAM, and 4.5V battery, and couldn't boot off a CD either.
Anyway, I'll use my Christmas break to get everything up to date and rolling the way it should have this time last year. Max RAM, decent processor, yee haw!
I've also been able to source a Sonnet G3 L2 400MHz card from Classic (cheers, arrived today!) but haven't installed this yet. He was kind enough to make a CD with the drivers, so this process should be very straight forward.
I also was able to source another TAM, this one boots to the login screen and then freezes with an Address Error or mainly a Bus Error. It has the little panels that mine was missing, so I now have a more complete TAM. Oh, and it came with the disks they originally shipped with, and interestingly, 2 copies of the System Software disks. I spent quite a bit of time on this last month and was able to rule out HDD, cache and RAM, and 4.5V battery, and couldn't boot off a CD either.
Anyway, I'll use my Christmas break to get everything up to date and rolling the way it should have this time last year. Max RAM, decent processor, yee haw!
Excellent news JS!
Plus I get to hear about ye olde tech being put to good use!
While being only a 400Mhz/512 cache card, it still made a huge difference on my 6500
Its a pity that USB 1.1 was/will never be implemented for Mac OS 7.6.1, as it screams with the sonnet card!
Mac OS 8.6 might be the best OS for the TAM as I reckon Mac OS 9 is a real memory hog.
I'd also recommend fitting in a faster, more modern HDD for more speed and partition the drive for multiple OS's
Beats ebay anyday!
Plus I get to hear about ye olde tech being put to good use!
While being only a 400Mhz/512 cache card, it still made a huge difference on my 6500
Its a pity that USB 1.1 was/will never be implemented for Mac OS 7.6.1, as it screams with the sonnet card!
Mac OS 8.6 might be the best OS for the TAM as I reckon Mac OS 9 is a real memory hog.
I'd also recommend fitting in a faster, more modern HDD for more speed and partition the drive for multiple OS's