Oh Macs, look how you’ve grown… or shrunk. Circa 2000, Macs were those ‘weird’ machines that were used by the odd few in the workplace. They had a mystique! Then pop culture took a hold, and the Mac’s presence on the big screen played a strong role in a popularity surge.
As Macs went from the periphery into the mainstream, their playful designs flourished – from dome bases to vibrant colour splashes. Today, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a new Mac that isn’t super slick and marvellously minimal.
We’re nothing if not nostalgic here at Lease Loop. So, come with us on a journey across time (mainly the 90s and 00s), as we celebrate some of the most iconic Macs ever to brighten up this – let’s be honest – sometimes grey world of personal computing!
The Macintosh (1984)
Where it all began… The original Mac – the ‘OG’, if you will – introduced the first graphical user interface to the masses. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that The Macintosh revolutionised how we used computers and set the foundation for modern desktops.
PowerBook 100 (1991)
Bar-setting is kind of Apple’s thing, and they did it again with the PowerBook. It wasn’t the first ever ‘laptop’, but it did define the modern laptop form – debuting industry-first features like the trackpad and integrated palm rests. Targeted at professionals, it was the ultimate mobile workstation of its time.
iMac G3 and G4 (1998 and 2002)
This is where things started to get a bit fruity! The iMac G3, originally just the ‘iMac’, marked the beginning of the colourful revolution for Macs – turning heads with its translucent, all-in-one ‘Bondi Blue’ design. Computing just got fun, and this marked the beginning of Apple’s design-led phase.
Four years later, the G4 came with a whitewashed design, but was iconic for its dome base. This might just be us, but the round side speakers that it came with gave it a kind of ‘robot’ aesthetic. Maybe this is where Disney got the idea for WALL-E?
iBook G3 (1999)
Also known as the ‘Clamshell’, the iBook G3 was a fun, youthful consumer laptop that came in a splash of bright colours and even a built-in carrying handle. It was aesthetically iconic in many ways, and its commercial success was undoubtedly boosted by its appearance in Legally Blonde!
Mac mini (2005)
Small but mighty, the first Mac mini was the most affordable and compact Mac ever released. It also served as a way for Windows users to make the leap across to Apple without getting rid of their current peripherals. The Mac’s minimalist era started here!
MacBook Air (2008)
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. No, it’s not Ali but the MacBook Air of course – the first ultra-thin laptop that pushed the envelope on portability. Steve Jobs actually pulled it out of a manila envelope on stage, remember? This set the standard for ultra-portable laptops across all brands.
iMac 27-inch (2009)
We’ve already had iMac, but we couldn’t leave out the first iMac 27-inch. What a machine, and all that came after it. This brought consumers into big-screen computing and set the tone for Apple desktops for years to come with its refined unibody aluminium design. iMacs may not be as popular since the COVID-19 lockdowns, but they still have our heart.
Mac Pro ‘Cheese Grater’ (2006)
This was the first Mac to be lovingly nicknamed after a household item and, more importantly, Apple’s first professional desktop to use Intel processors. The Mac Pro 1st Gen was truly loved by its users – mainly for its power and expandability options, but also for its design. Coined the ‘Cheese Grater’ because of its perforated air vent, it was clean, lean, and a dream machine for both pros and upgraders. The subsequent ‘Trash Can’ and ‘Shredder’ models never really captured people’s hearts the way the old ‘Cheese Grater’ did.
Go back to the future with Lease Loop
Reminiscing is fun, but playful designs and nostalgia aside, the latest and greatest cutting-edge Mac technology can bring eye-watering performance to your business – and they’re proven to boost economic productivity. Lease Loop can help you harness this, with flexible solutions designed to increase access to Macs without the hefty downpayment.
Get in touch today to discuss how your business can unlock newfound efficiency with us.