The Apple Hard Disk 20SC / 40SC / 80SC / 160SC was a groundbreaking piece of technology when it was first introduced in 1986. As part of the Apple hard disk drive series, it was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple, and it quickly became a popular choice for users looking for a high-quality external hard drive.
The hard disk drive was first announced on September 15, 1986, and it was initially priced at $1,299. It featured a half-height 5.25″ Seagate ST-225N or full-height 3.5″ MiniScribe 8425SA SCSI hard drive, with a storage capacity of 20 MB, 40 MB, 80 MB, or 160 MB. It also had DB-25 connection ports, making it compatible with a wide range of Apple devices including the Macintosh Plus, Macintosh SE, Macintosh II, Apple IIGS, Apple IIe, and Apple II Plus with SCSI card.
Depending on the model, each device boasts a distinct amount of memory. Take the Apple Hard Disk 20SC, for instance, which comes equipped with 20 MB of storage. Alternatively, the Apple Hard Disk 40SC packs a punch with 40 MB of memory, while the 80SC takes things up a notch with 80 MB of space. And for those who crave even more storage, the Apple HD 160SC delivers an impressive 160 MB of storage capacity.
Despite its popularity, the Apple Hard Disk SC was eventually discontinued on August 1, 1989. Today, it is 37 years old, and it remains a significant piece of Apple’s history. While it is no longer in production, it remains a popular choice among collectors and vintage technology enthusiasts.
Apple Hard Disk SC Details
| Introduced | September 15, 1986 (20SC / 40SC / 80SC) March 7, 1989 (160SC) |
| Discontinued | August 1, 1989 |
| Order Number | M2603 (20SC) M2604 (20SC) M2644 (40SC) M2688 (80SC) M2666 (160SC) |
| Original Price | $1,299 (20SC) $1,999 (40SC) $3,199 (80SC) $2,599 (160SC) |
| Colors | Platinum Snow White |
| Weight | 8 – 9.5 Ibs. 3.628 – 4.309 KG |
| Dimensions | 3.1” H x 9.7” W x 10.5” D 7.84 cm H x 24.63 cm W x 26.67 cm D |
System Requirements
- Macintosh Plus, Macintosh SE, Macintosh II or Apple IIGS, Apple IIe, Apple II Plus with SCSI card
Storage Specs
| Capacity | 20 MB at up to 3600-rpm 40 MB at up to 3662-rpm 80 MB at up to 3662-rpm 160 MB at up to 3600-rpm |
| Data Transfer Rate | Up to 1.25 MB per second |
Connections
| Connection | DB-25 |
| Ports | 2 – DB-25 |
Power
| Maximum Continuous Power | 60 W |
Further Reading and References
- Hard Disk 20SC – Wikipedia
- Apple brand HD20, HD20 SC Info – RetroTechnology
- Apple Hard Disk SC Owner’s Guide (PDF) – Vintage Apple
- Warning! If you formatted your drive with Apple HD SC Setup … – CNET
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: April 12, 2023
