1984 Apple Macintosh replica crafted from wood and gold

By gameboy1977
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gameboy1977

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An old-school 128K Mac gets an even older-school treatment as an artist rebuilds the iconic computer out of burnished walnut and shiny brass.

The original Apple Macintosh (later dubbed the Macintosh 128K) was no fashion model. It was blocky. It was beige. It came out back in 1984, in the earlier half of a decade known for visual abominations like neon leg warmers and acid-wash jeans.

It took over 30 years for someone to reimagine that old Mac as something beautiful to behold.

Swedish designer and craftsman Love Hultén created the Golden Apple, a tribute to the Macintosh 128K, from some unexpected materials. The body, keyboard base and mouse are all made from American walnut, giving it a retro woodsy feel. It keeps to the same physical dimensions as the original computer.

Seeing the small desktop dressed in something other than its original beige skin lets you appreciate the blocky but compelling design of the Mac. It truly was the introductory personal computer for many people, an attainable piece of technology at a time when most such machines were prohibitively expensive.

This computer actually functions, though the guts come from a Mac Mini and the floppy drive has been replaced with a DVD drive. The mouse is wireless. The keyboard is built with gold-plated key caps made from zinc. It's a lovely combination, more understated than most steampunk designs, but still evocative of a bygone era of careful craftsmanship.

The detail work on the replica is impressive, right down to the carved series of vents on the sides and top. The wood grain is a handsome upgrade over the original plastic surface. The gold-colored logo on the front is a subtle tribute to Apple's desktop heritage. It's a perfect blend of nostalgia, design and craft.

 

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