How “Macintosh” Became Mac: A Brief History of Apple’s Computers…


MacintoshPin

How did Apple come up with the name Macintosh and – more importantly – does it have any special meaning? Let’s investigate the history of Apple’s Macintosh line of computers and find out…



Names – especially brand names – are funny things. They get inside your head, become part of the zeitgeist and, most people, have no idea of where they came from or who invented them. We’ve already covered what the “I” in iPhone means. But where did the word Macintosh come from for Apple’s desktop and laptop computers?

As always, we need to go back in time a bit – specifically the early 1980s. This was when a very young Steve Jobs unleashed the very first Apple Macintosh onto the world. The Macintosh – a simplified Lisa computer – launched in 1984 and its name, Macintosh, was created by Jef Raskin who took the name from a type of Apple.

Who Invented The Brand Name, Macintosh?

The apple in question, technically called McIntosh, is the national apple of Canada. It has red or green skin, a tart flavor, and is best eaten in and around September. Raskin figured the name was a good fit, and Steve Jobs agreed. It tied up nicely with the company’s branding. And Mac is also a fairly common computing term also – it’s an acronym for Media Access Control.

How “Macintosh” Became Mac: A Brief History of Apple's Computers...Pin

Apple wasn’t the only company that liked the name, though. Much to the annoyance of Steve Jobs, another company already owned the trademark McIntosh, a company called McIntosh Laboratory. And they didn’t like the idea of Apple using its brand name for its new computer. Apple could not get around the trademark, so Jobs changed the name Macintosh and the rest, as they say, is history.

A Different Kind of Apple (Computer)…

The reason Apple decided to go with Macintosh in the first place was that the first-ever Macintosh computer was so different from everything else on the market, as well as everything Apple had released to date. It was a “different kind of Apple” and it deserved a different type of branding. Hence the creation of the brand name, Macintosh.

The first Macintosh computer was the first commercially available home computer to feature a graphical user interface, a 3.5in floppy disk, and run on a UX-centric operating system. The Macintosh was designed to be easy to use, to inspire creativity, and to make using computers something everything could do – not just computer club geeks and engineers.

The Switch From Macintosh To Mac

Steve Jobs was famously fired by the Apple board in the early-1990s. He then went off, made Pixar a massive success, sold it to Disney, and started another computer company called NEXT. During his time at NEXT, Apple began to struggle. The company was making losses and Apple went from being an innovator to the joke of the industry.

Jobs returned to the helm of the company in the early-2000s, bringing many of his NEXT employees with him. He completely gutted the company’s product range, killing off failing lines, and refocussed its attention on making a select few, quality computers. It was during this era that the Mac was born, starting with the iMac.

MacintoshPin

During this period, Apple ditched the Macintosh brand entirely and moved its naming over to Mac. You have MacBooks, iMacs, and Mac mini and Mac Pro. The days of bloat were over. Apple, under the guidance of Jobs, streamlined its output, focused on the big picture, and got back to innovating.

The Launch of The iPod & iTunes – Apple’s First Major Cash Cow

Oddly, it wasn’t computers that REALLY put Apple on the map, although the success of the OG iMac definitely helped. Instead, it was the creation and release of the iPod and Apple’s iTunes software that turned Apple from a billion-dollar tech company into a multi-billion dollar tech company. The iPod also paved the way for the iPhone which, to date, is Apple’s best-selling product of all time.

What’s important to understand here is that, back in the early 2000s, Apple was considered a joke by most of its competitors and the tech press at large. As a company, it was failing. Apple had lots of products, including printers, and it was not selling them in meaningful numbers. The quality was off and the public wasn’t interested.

When Jobs returned, Apple was a sinking ship. If it weren’t for Jobs, his ideas, and his vision, Apple probably would have gone out of business or ended up being just another tech company. It wouldn’t have created the iPod, the iPad, or even the iPhone. All of these things happened because Jobs was exiled from the company and then ushered back in to save it.

And what’s truly amazing about Jobs’ story is that he actually made more money OUTSIDE Apple than he did while he was a part of the company. Jobs sold Pixar to Disney, remember. And then he sold NEXT, his concert computer company, to Apple for a huge sum of money under the proviso that he would take control of Apple as CEO.

And once he took control, Jobs oversaw the acquisitions of multiple companies to acquire a war chest of technology and IP which he put to use inside the company’s growing list of hit products.

As comeback stories go, the return of Jobs and the rise of Apple is just about as good as they get.

And we answer the question Does Apple Make Your Phone Slower? here!

Latest Smartphone Releases


  • Xiaomi 15S Pro

    The Xiaomi 15S Pro didn’t come with a flashy launch, but it brings some seriously heavy hardware to the table. A custom 10-core chip, Leica-engineered cameras, and one of the brightest displays on the market

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    At just 5.8mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest Android phones ever made—but don’t let the slim profile fool you. This phone is all flagship under the hood.

  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

    It’s got the same slick design and OLED display, but adds a periscope zoom camera and a 50MP front-facing shooter.

  • Nothing Phone (3a)

    The Nothing Phone (3a) nails the formula: give people what they actually want, keep the price low, and make it look cooler than anything else in its class.

  • Motorola EDGE 60 Pro

    With a bold design, flagship-like display, and surprisingly refined camera system, it’s one of the most interesting mid-range phones of 2025.

  • Google Pixel 9

    I’ve been using the Pixel 9 for a few weeks now, and honestly? It nails all the basics—and a bit more. Killer stuff all round!

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

    I’ve used the Pixel 9 Pro as my daily device, and it’s hands-down the best balance of power, practicality, and photography you’ll find on Android right now.

  • OnePlus 13

    I’ve been using the OnePlus 13 as my daily driver for a few months now—and I’ve got to say, it’s easily one of the best Android phones I’ve tested this year.

  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

    After using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for over a week, I can confidently say: this phone is an absolute beast. It’s made for camera nerds, power users, and creators.

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

    If you’ve been holding out for a truly complete iPhone, the 16 Pro Max delivers—hard. After using it daily, I won't be going back…

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    Big screen, big battery, and even bigger brains—this is the Pixel to get if you want Google’s best hardware and longest support.

  • Google Pixel 9a

    The Pixel 9a brings Google’s flagship-level smarts to a budget-friendly package, and it’s easily one of the best-value Android phones of 2025.

Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan

    Boost’s top-tier option brings the heat: 50GB of premium data, hotspot, North America roaming, global talk & text, and $430 off select devices. All-in at $60/month with no contract.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (50GB premium speed)

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited+ Plan

    Level up with 40GB of premium data, hotspot access, global calling, and up to $300 in device savings. All for just $50/month. No contracts and flexible phone options included.

    +

    Data: Unlimited; Speed Caps After 40GB

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan

    Start strong with 30GB of premium data, unlimited everything, and a killer intro offer: just $15/month for the first 3 months, then $25/month forever. No contracts. No fluff. Big value.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (Speed Caps Over 30GB)

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

    +

    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

    +

    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

    +

    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

    +

    Data: 20GB