On January 24, 1984, Apple introduced the Macintosh External Disk Drive 400K, an external 3.5″ floppy disk drive designed specifically for use with the Macintosh computer. The drive was released on May 1, 1984, and featured a sleek design that matched the aesthetic of the Macintosh itself.
Inside the drive, the case was a 400-kilobyte drive, a Sony-made 3 1⁄2-inch single-sided mechanism that was identical to the one installed inside the Macintosh. This allowed users to easily expand their storage capabilities and transfer files between computers.
However, despite its utility, the Macintosh External Disk Drive 400K was ultimately discontinued on January 1, 1986. Today, the drive is 40 years old and serves as a nostalgic reminder of the early days of Macintosh computing.
As technology has advanced, the Macintosh External Disk Drive 400K has become a collector’s item for those interested in the history of Apple and the evolution of computer storage. Despite its age, the drive remains a testament to the innovative spirit of Apple and the ingenuity of its engineers.
Macintosh External Disk Drive 400K Details
| Introduced | January 24, 1984 |
| Released | May 1, 1984 |
| Discontinued | January 1, 1986 |
| Model Number | M0130 |
| Original Price | $495 |
| Colors | Beige |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Dimensions | Unknown |
System Requirements
- Macintosh computer
Connections
| Connection | Unknown |
| Ports | None |
Further Reading and References
- Macintosh External Disk Drive – Wikipedia
- Apple 400k Floppy Drive Lubrication Repair (Macintosh 128K & 512k) – iFixit
- Death of an M0131 Floppy Drive – Big Mess o’ Wires
- Herb’s Mac Parts – RetroTechnology
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: March 7, 2023
