The Original Macintosh User Manual
The very first Macs user manual is a fun look at the past, and despite being 27 years old, there are still some undeniably Apple aspects to the manuals imagery and text. The intro paragraph from the first page is classic:
“You’re about to learn a new way to use a computer. If this is your first experience with a computer, you’re starting at a great time. If you’ve used “traditional” computers, you’ll appreciate the Macintosh difference. No more guessing what the computer wants. No more memorizing long commands with names only a programmer could love. With Macintosh, you’re in charge.”
Keep in mind that the original Macintosh was the first mainstream computer to use a mouse and a graphical user interface.
You can see some a few more pictures from the Macintosh User Manual below, but be sure to check out “Thoughts on (and pics of) the original Macintosh User Manual” for even more.
Thanks for sending this in Terry!
the Xerox Alto was the first GUI and 3 button mouse in 1973. Xerox Bravo was the first WYSIWYG document preparation program. Then in 1981 came the Xerox Star.
The Mac was not the first computer was NOT the first computer with a GUI and a mouse. It wasn’t even the first computer from Apple with a GUI and mouse.
Apple’s “Lisa” computer predates the Mac.
The Xerox Star and Xerox Bravo workstations were GUI workstations with mice, that predate both the Mac and Lisa.
Nice nostalgia.
Though the Mac wasn’t the first computer to use a mouse and keyboard.
Apple’s Lisa predated it.
And that was predated by Xerox…
The article didn’t say that the Mac was the first to use a mouse and keyboard, only that it was the first mainstream computer. The LISA was marketed to corporate users, and the Xerox wasn’t really mainstream, either.
Ah, 1987. When a Mac SE with dual floppy drives cost $2,500.00.
I still have two of these in mint condition ;)
These are basically collectors items now. I don’t have any of my old Macs or manuals anymore, wish I kept them!
Do you still have the original Mac owners manual?