Prototype Transparent Mac SE

[haplain]

Here it is. This is my early Transparent Mac SE. The clear case was created for smoke testing at Apple. They wanted to make sure the computer was being adequately cooled so the clear case was Apple's way to view the smoke. Supposedly 20 of these were built. Only 8-10 were built into fully working machines. Of those 8-10 working only 3 or less of these exist in the real world. I know another person who owns one but all the rest are at Apple, if at all. I talked to a few people who knew about these machines which is where the numbers are generated from. They are speculative so there might even be less than that. Either way I love this little machine. I picked it up from a gentlemen in the SF Bay who worked with a person who was a part of this project. The person who worked at Apple and the guy I bought it from started a partnership to bring computers into inner city schools. This is how this person I know came to own this machine. It was given to him as a gift for his help with the computer program and he help onto it ever since. I still contact him and have all the original manuals, owners manual, carry case, software disks

 

[haplain]

More photos

 

[Bunsen]

I like the Macquarium

 

[tecneeq]

I wonder if the clear case SE yellows. Would be a shame.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Fabulous.

 

[haplain]

I wonder if the clear case SE yellows. Would be a shame.

I've only had the machine for about 2 months and seeing how it was in storage for 20+ years and has been fine I doubt it. From my understanding, that yellow is caused by oxides in the dye from the process where the plastic cases are made. I think since this dye/coloring is not present the case does not have this issue. I could be wrong though, although I hope not! It's fully working and I just need to make some more room around my house to display it. I should just move my TAM to someplace else.

 

[mcdermd]

I've never heard it was the dye. I've heard it is the fire-retardant mixed into the plastic that leeches out over time.

 

[haplain]

I've never heard it was the dye. I've heard it is the fire-retardant mixed into the plastic that leeches out over time.

I think its one in the same. I've also heard that but its a polymer mixture that contains a coloring agent, and some fire-retardant added in as well. I will try to preserve it as best I can.

 

[tecneeq]

Naturally.

Anyways, this is really one of the coolest Macs a collector can have. Lucky you. :approve:

 

[RickNel]

Fantastic rarity!

If it is going to discolor, it will probably be susceptible to ultraviolet light, so this might be worth keeping in mind when you place it for display - maybe not too close to windows or fluorescent tubes.

Rick

 

[Byrd]

That is a thing of beauty. Give it 5 - 10 years when 3D printers are in abundance (and cheap 3D scanners), and we'll all have one then

 

[haplain]

That is a thing of beauty. Give it 5 - 10 years when 3D printers are in abundance (and cheap 3D scanners), and we'll all have one then

Yes and no. It will be close but not the real deal. The mold on this one was not perfect so it will never be reproducible. There are casting marks and things like that on the case. This little machine always brings a smile to my face.

 

[James1095]

That's awesome! I love these transparent prototypes. I have a transparent prototype of a force feedback steering wheel game controller from a previous employer, it's not nearly as cool as a transparent vintage Mac but maybe some day I can sell it for a fortune and retire. Yeah not likely

The transparent plastic is not likely to yellow nearly as readily as the beige production stuff, but all plastic is degraded by UV light to some degree. The high energy UV photons literally blast apart molecules in the polymer chains, causing the plastic to get brittle and crusty. With a rare and valuable collectible like this, it is certainly advisable to keep it out of direct sunlight. Even ordinary fluorescent lights emit enough UV that fading and degradation can be an issue over a long enough period of time.

 

[haplain]

Took some better photos. Figured this machine should be given the royal treatment

 

[haplain]

Happy Mac

 

[olePigeon]

Oh man, that's cool. There was a Prototype SE here in the SF Bay Area for sale on Craigslist. I just couldn't afford it.

 

[haplain]

Oh man, that's cool. There was a Prototype SE here in the SF Bay Area for sale on Craigslist. I just couldn't afford it.

Well I guess you know where I got it from : :beige:

Such a cool machine and an even cooler story

 

[krye]

@haplain

Hey, it's Kevin..... glad to see you posted it in the forums! I knew everyone here would get a kick out of it!

 

[uniserver]

i think this machine is super cool!

I got the original board from it on my desk at home.

Doing some IC replacement, some PDS pins were bent over touching on the bottom.