Storage · The Beige Era · 1985
Apple Hard Disk 20
The Hard Disk 20 finally gave early compact Macs room to breathe beyond a single floppy, though it connected through the slow floppy port.
First hard drive designed for the Macintosh.
Apple 3.5 Drive (1986)
Apple Hard Disk 20: key facts
When was the Apple Hard Disk 20 released?
The Apple Hard Disk 20 arrived in September 1985. Apple discontinued it in 1987.
How much did the Apple Hard Disk 20 cost?
The Apple Hard Disk 20 launched at $1,495 in 1985, about $4,448 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: 20 MB storage, Macintosh floppy port.
Why does the Apple Hard Disk 20 matter?
First hard drive designed for the Macintosh.
Full specifications
| CPU | — |
|---|---|
| Cores | — |
| Memory (RAM) | — |
| Storage | 20 MB |
| Display | — |
| GPU | — |
| Ports | Macintosh floppy port |
| Weight | Varies by model |
| Dimensions | External hard disk |
| Operating system | Driver/firmware support |
| Released | September 1985 |
| Discontinued | 1987 |
| Launch price | $1,495 |
How the Apple Hard Disk 20 compares to today
All of this storage holds about 5 modern phone photos.
Launched at $1,495 in 1985, about $4,448 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker.
Did you know?
It could not boot the original 128K Macintosh without upgrades.
Related Storage models
Open the Apple Hard Disk 20 in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11