Prototype LC photos

[zackl]

i assume this is a members collection but found this LC prototype bezel to be super interesting 

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Very cool stuff! Is that a standard Model LC drive? If not, I'm really looking forward to more info on that FDD.

Apple may have been looking into using lower cost, manual inject drives from the PC world in the LC before they were quite ready for prime time? Couldn't find any info on the Sony Model MPF11A FDD, but found a bit of info on the MPF11 in the JAMECO ad from late 1989 issues of PC Magazine:



"A" for Apple or Auto Eject makes some sense as a ventured guess?

 

[bibilit]

An "Elsie" prototype including smoth case both for the main unit and monitor, and special layout for the Logic Board:

https://lowendmac.com/hodges/06/0626.html

 

[MrFahrenheit]

I have a prototype IIcx that is in the shiny smooth plastic case. 
 

I also have a prototype LC with the regular auto inject drive, shipping front bezel (it’s a summer 1990 prototype). 

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

I'm curious about Elsie's memory subsystem and how it's set up, especially so given its lack of VRAM SIMM provision? What's the spec on the four DRAM ICs on the LC board as shipped? Elsie has provision for memory Banks A & B whereas the LC had but that single bank of four soldered DRAM ICs as shipped.

Elsie Bank A: four TMS44400DM-80 - Asynchronous->5V FPM. 1,048,576-word BY 4-bit DRAM

LC shipped the same day as the IIsi with twice the main memory and dedicated 256K VRAM SIMM. The IIsi had only 1MB main memory and crappy Vampire Video sucking the life out of that. Might Elsie have been planned with future support for even more main memory in base config along with what's apparently Vampire Video?

I'm now wondering if multiple code names for Macs designated parallel development tracks?

Very, very cool front bezel case design, really love that angular (manual injection?) FDD opening. Much better than Apple's developing in house Espresso Design Language "Kissy Lips" implementation IMO.