System Saver questions I thought might help others

[QuicksilverMac2001]

I have some questions about the System Saver that the post office says should arriving tomorrow.

First up is, once I get the System Saver (to avoid DMCA issues), could I get a manual for it?

Next up is, what did the System Saver originally sell for? I have searched Google, Yahoo, and Bing every way I can think of and I can't get any information for the Compact Mac version, only for the Apple II version-and that's pre IIgs.

Third up is, when was the System Saver originally introduced? A specific date would be above and beyond the call of duty, a month and year introduced is sufficient, and if nothing else I would settle for the year they introduced it.

Finally, does anyone on this august forum actually use a System Saver with a 128k or in general the 128k, 512k, or 512Ke? I might feel kind of embarrassed if my 128k is the only pre-Plus compact to have a System Saver.

These are just questions that, since I was compelled to get a System Saver for my 128k, that I would appreciate answers on.

Thank you,

Alex

 

[Byrd]

(to avoid DMCA issues)

Sorry but what do you mean here? It's a fan, it plugs in, that's it.

 

[tt]

Sorry but what do you mean here? It's a fan, it plugs in, that's it.

:lol:

You mean this thingy? http://books.google.com/books?id=-T4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PT27&dq=macintosh%20plus%20System%20Saver&pg=PT27#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[QuicksilverMac2001]

+infinity to tt. He or she got it perfect! Now you see why they're such rare, fair things. And why I am so pleased to have one.

I didn't know Google wouldn't automatically look through the books listings. If Google was so smart from all their siphoned search data, they should know that if only useless, high-advertising fee results are listed in the main search listings, then they would automatically extend the search to books the way they do to images.

That's not too much to ask from an iPod/iPhone/iPad wannabe like Google.

Or maybe it's a falling out with Apple, but Apple made Google the only search and maps and etc. vendor on iOS 3.2.3 and below. How disappointing.

But Microsoft's Bing wasn't any better. It also failed to provide books results in the main search listings, even though the main search listings were equally useless.

Thanks so much,

Alex

 

[spiceyokooko]

Try doing a search on Kensington System Saver, that might give you more results. It sounds like the first System Saver was produced in 1981 when the company was founded - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Computer_Products_Group

Cheers!

 

[beachycove]

Looks like it sold for about $80 in 1988, and $100 in 1987, and it looks like there were slightly different models for different Compact machines.

The vectronicsappleworld archive is well worth exploring; there may be a Kingsington entry from further back to check out.

 

[sirwiggum]

I'm surprised System Saver Mac isn't more popular, with the fan for the Plus and early compacts.

 

[trag]

I'm surprised System Saver Mac isn't more popular, with the fan for the Plus and early compacts.

Back in the day, we didn't need fans, because we had chimneys...

 

[Arthegall]

It's always good to see a compact go bong.

 

[tt]

I'm surprised System Saver Mac isn't more popular, with the fan for the Plus and early compacts.

I'm not trying to put it down, but I am not really surprised. I used a Mac Plus without one for many years. It seems pretty unnecessary and would just contribute to more ambient noise at your desk, especially if you have an external hard drive or two running.

 

[sirwiggum]

Back in the day, we didn't need fans, because we had chimneys...

haha, is that a serious product?

It looks like a MacStove Another idea of what to do with a dead compact's case

The plus is silent, it's uncanny. But if I'd spent a few grand (£/$ 000s) in the 80s I'd be looking to protect my expensive equipment!

 

[beachycove]

Fear of the MacChimney is surely what led people to fork out for the System Saver.

(No, not a serious product, but something concocted at the the time as a joking attempt to deal with machine failure perceived to be due to the absence of a fan in the early Compacts.)

 

[Bunsen]

No joke - they work, on buildings as well as Macs. I plan to install something similar at home before summer hits, as the air circulation in my room is pretty poor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimney_effect

 

[trag]

Bunsen, thank you for rotating the image and making it local.

The Mac Chimney was an actual commercial product. The item pictured is not one of the commercial ones.

Back in the early 90s I was visiting my partner (girlfriend back then) at law school and she was still busy with some classes or something. I had read about the Mac Chimney, so I grabbed some balsa wood, poster board, glue, scissors and X-acto knife and voila, ventilation for the Mac 512KE here Mom had hand-me-downed to her.

There are balsa ribs sanded to conform to the top of the Mac under the poster board, giving the chimney sturdy support. Ah, here we go

 

[beachycove]

I stand corrected -- and gobsmacked.

People willingly paid out to put one of those on a Mac? And someone made a living selling them? What must Steve have thought?!

 

[tt]

Here's a page about the MacChimney (Macintosh Bible):



Another odd appendage to classic macs that I have not been able to find is a knife sharpener called the MacKnifer:

 

[Arthegall]

Oh the shark bites . . .

With his teeth, dear . . .

 

[LOOM]

Haha.

Put a MacPhone on the other side, and we have a complete mobile restaurant and booking kit!

 

[Bunsen]

a knife sharpener called the MacKnifer:

Oh come on. That one is obviously a joke. The only earthly connection between "Mac" and "knife" is the song. It's a standard wall-mount kitchen knife sharpener (we used to have one when I was a kid) that's been clumsily glommed onto the side of the Mac for a joke shot.