Unusual Apple Products from the 1990s That You Might Not Remember – MacRumors

In the early to mid-1990s, Apple unveiled a variety of unique products, including printers, digital cameras, a video game console, and a PDA. However, upon Steve Jobs’ return in 1997, many of these offerings were discontinued, allowing Apple to refocus and avoid bankruptcy.

For longtime readers of *MacRumors*, the peculiarities of Apple’s 1990s era may be well-known. However, for newer followers, revisiting this period can be intriguing.

Here’s a look at five distinctive Apple products from the 1990s, like the QuickTake, Newton eMate 300, Studio Display, StyleWriter, and Pippin. While notable products like the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh and Newton MessagePad exist, these selections are often less recognized today.

The Newton eMate 300, released in 1996, was designed as a classroom computer for children. It featured a colorful, durable casing, a 6.8-inch black-and-white touch screen, and a built-in keyboard.

Powered by a 25 MHz ARM processor and 3 MB of RAM, it provided basic computing functions. However, Jobs discontinued the entire Newton line when he returned in 1997.

Another notable product from this era was the QuickTake, one of the first consumer digital cameras. Launched in 1994, it allowed users to store up to eight photos, though it lacked advanced features like manual focus.

The later QuickTake 200 model boasted improvements like a higher resolution and a removable storage card but ultimately struggled against competitors. In 1996, Apple also ventured into gaming with the Pippin, a hybrid console priced at $599.

It failed to find its market niche due to fierce competition from less expensive options like the PlayStation and Nintendo 64, leading to its cancellation by 1998. Apple’s Studio Display, first released in 1998, was an external monitor that featured a 15-inch LCD screen and a sleek design, setting the groundwork for future display technologies.

Lastly, the StyleWriter inkjet printer marked Apple’s foray into printing, though Jobs later discontinued all printer lines upon his return to Apple. Through these products, we catch a glimpse of a transformative period in Apple’s history, illustrating the company’s ongoing evolution and technological innovation.