The Apple Jonathan was a highly ambitious, never-released concept computer developed by Apple in the mid-1980s.

The Concept of Jonathan

The goal of the Jonathan project was to create a modular system that allowed users to attach various hardware modules to a central unit, customizing the computer’s functionality to their needs.

At the heart of the system was a "backbone", to which different modules could be connected. These modules would have supported running Apple II, Macintosh, UNIX, and DOS systems, as well as adding additional features like hard drives or network capabilities. The idea was to let users build their own computer setup – much like a bookshelf system, where the modules were like the books.

Why Was It Never Released?

Although the project went through eight months of development and a prototype was shown to Apple’s leadership in June 1985, the Jonathan was ultimately considered too risky and ahead of its time.

Jean-Louis Gassée, then Apple’s VP of Product Development, pointed out that the profit from selling a Jonathan system would have only been about a third of what they earned from a Macintosh II. He also expressed concerns that a DOS module would allow users to completely abandon Mac OS (Macintosh).

Legacy and Significance

Even though the Jonathan never made it to market, the concept anticipated future trends in modular systems and user customization. It’s a reminder that Apple was experimenting with groundbreaking ideas as early as the 1980s—some of which wouldn't become feasible until decades later.

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