Compact Mac · The Beige Era · 1986
Macintosh 512Ke
The 512Ke bridged the original compact Mac and the Plus, keeping the 512 KB memory ceiling but adding the newer ROMs and higher-capacity floppy drive.
Added the Plus-era 800 KB floppy and ROMs to the Fat Mac.
Macintosh SE (1987)
Macintosh 512Ke: key facts
When was the Macintosh 512Ke released?
The Macintosh 512Ke arrived in April 1986. Apple discontinued it in September 1987.
How much did the Macintosh 512Ke cost?
The Macintosh 512Ke launched at $1,999 in 1986, about $5,837 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Motorola 68000 at 7.83 MHz, 512 KB RAM, 80 MB storage, 9" monochrome, 512×342 display.
Why does the Macintosh 512Ke matter?
Added the Plus-era 800 KB floppy and ROMs to the Fat Mac.
Full specifications
| CPU | Motorola 68000 · 7.83 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 512 KB |
| Storage | 80 MB |
| Display | 9" monochrome, 512×342 |
| GPU | Integrated / NuBus video |
| Ports | 800 KB floppy, serial, mouse |
| Weight | Varies by configuration |
| Dimensions | Desktop computer |
| Operating system | System 3 |
| Released | April 1986 |
| Discontinued | September 1987 |
| Launch price | $1,999 |
How the Macintosh 512Ke compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 32,800× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 7.83 MHz, the clock is roughly 409× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
All of this storage holds about 20 modern phone photos.
Launched at $1,999 in 1986, about $5,837 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, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
The “e” stands for enhanced.
Related Compact Mac models
Open the Macintosh 512Ke in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11