Macintosh NC

The Macintosh NC (or Mac NC) is a prototype that had been in internal development by Apple Computer. However, it was never released for sale.

History
Apple had demonstrated a preliminary design based on the Pippin 2.0 specification to licensees and developers in 1996. Increased ROM space would eliminate the need to store system software on the CD-ROM, allowing diskless booting for set-top or kiosk operation. Gil Amelio, the CEO of Apple Computer at the time, stated that Apple's version of a device based on 's would be "kind of a Pippin Plus."

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs returned to the company and was named Interim CEO on September 16, 1997. The Pippin was among several projects cancelled by Jobs to return Apple to profitability. Jobs also disagreed with Larry Ellison of Oracle over the future of the Mac NC. Jobs chose to redirect technologies from the NC project, such as its capability. The NC evolved into the PowerPC G3-based iMac, a breakout success for Apple in 1998.