Over the years I have been lucky enough to pick up some 68k systems that that had accelerators installed: two MacPlus machines with Novy Quik30 Plus accelerators and a SE FDHD with a Mobius 030 SE accelerator. As I dug around the internet looking for information I found a lot of of advertisements, reviews, and some manuals and drivers for various accelerators, I also found some contact names that I used to track down old employees through LinkedIn (with some success), so I decided to create this post to track what companies I’ve found information about.
The first mention I found for memory upgrades were in June 1985 (for the 128K and 512K), and the first mention I found of an accelerator was Human Touch Computer Products Corp. Three to One Touch Board, adds a new 68000 CPU running at 12MHz and up to 3.5MB of RAM., the next was General Computer Company’s (GCC) HyperDrive 2000 in MacWorld March 1986, adds 1.5MB of RAM, a 20MB hard drive, a new 68000 CPU running at 12MHz, and a 68881 FPU, additional accelerators for 68k systems appeared in MacWorld August 1986 with reviews of products by Novy, Quesse and LevCO, if you are aware of any earlier products please let me know.
Accelerators
The following table lists the accelerators I have found listed in scans of Byte, ComputerWorld (CW), InfoWorld (IW), MacWorld (MW), MacUser (MU), or on the internet in general. In addition to the table, I have started recording information about each of the companies that produced the accelerators, specifically information about bankruptcies, sales, mergers and licensing agreements that led to the same accelerator being listed under multiple different names.
Name | Supports | CPU | MHz | FPU | Memory | Comments (CW = ComputerWorld, IW = InfoWorld, MW = MacWorld, MU = MacUser) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apple Classic II Upgrade | Classic | 68030 | 16 | No | New logic board and case | |
Apple LC II Upgrade | LC | 68030 | 16 | no | New logic board | |
Apple IIci Upgrade | IIcx | 68030 | 25 | Inc | – | New logic board |
Apple IIfx Upgrade | II | 68030 | 40 | Inc | – | New logic board |
Apple Quadra 700 | IIcx, IIci | 68040 | 25 | No | – | New logic board/ports |
Applied Engineering TransWarp | SE | 68030 | 25, 40 | Opt | 16MB | Driver Clip on, Optional Extended Video Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo), MW 1991.12 (photo) |
Applied Engineering TransWarp | Classic | |||||
Applied Engineering TransWarp Cache-In | IIci | N/A | N/A | N/A | 64K cache | Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo), |
Applied Engineering TransWarp Cache-In 50 | IIci | 68030 | 50 | Inc | 64K cache | Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo),(advertisement) |
Applied Engineering TransWarp LC | LC, LC II | 68030 | 50 | Opt | – | PDS slot |
Applied Engineering TransWarp 030 | II, IIcx, IIsi, IIci, IIfx | 68040 | 33 | Inc | – | Driver NuBus slot |
Applied Engineering TransWarp 040 | II, IIcx, IIsi, IIci, IIfx | 68040 | 25, 33 | Inc | – | NuBus slot Ad: MW 1992-06 (photo) |
Applied Engineering QuickSilver | IIsi | N/A | N/A | Opt | cache | IIsi slot extender allows you to use cards created for the SE/30 in your IIsi Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo), |
Aox DoubleTime-16 | SE | 68000 | 16 | 4k cache | MW 1990.02 | |
Beck-Tech MacMegabytes | 512k | 1MB | Hyperdrive Compatible, requires modification to case/board Review: MW 1986.02 Ad: MW 1985.10 (photo), MW 1986.02 (photo) List: MW 1987.11 | |||
Centa Systems, Inc | 128K, 512K | 2MB | Ad: MW 1985.12 | |||
Brainstorm Accelerator Plus | Plus, SE | 68000 | 16 | – | – | Driver Motherboard modification |
CSA FasTrack | Plus, SE | 68020 | 8 | Review: MW 1990.02 | ||
CSA FX882-25 | II, IIx | – | 25 | Review: MW 1990.02 | ||
CSA FX882-33 | II, IIx | – | 33 | Review: MW 1990.02 | ||
CSA Over 030 | II | 68030 | 25 | Review: MW 1989-03, MW 1990.02 | ||
Dayna MacCharlie | Plus | 8088 | 8 | Review: MW 1986.02 | ||
DayStar Max20MX | 512e, Plus, SE | 68020 | 16, 25 | Licensed from Novy, see: Novy Max20MX Review: 1989-03 (photo) Ad: MU 1988-10, 12 | ||
DayStar Digital FastCache IIci | IIci | Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo), | ||||
DayStar Digital SE/30 PowerCache | SE/30 | 68030 | 40, 50 | Opt | – | Daystar.com, CPU socket Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo), |
DayStar Turbo 40 | II, IIx, IIcx*, IIsi, IIci, IIvi, IIvx, SE/30, Performa 600 | 68040 | 33,40 | Daystar.com | ||
DayStar Universal PowerCache | SE/30, LC, LC II, II, IIcx, IIsi, IIci | 68030 | 33, 40, 50 | Opt | – | Driver PDS slot |
DayStar Accelerator II | II | 68030 | 33 | Review: MW 1989-03 | ||
DiiMO Technologies | Driver | |||||
Dove FastNet LAN 020 | SE | 68020 | 16 | MW 1990.02 | ||
Dove Mac Snap | Plus | 4MB | Ad: MW 1986.12 (photo) | |||
Dove Mac Snap 020 | Plus, 512E | 68020 | 16 | Opt | Review: CW 1987.12 List: MW 1987.11 | |
Dove Mac Snap 020 SE | SE | 68020 | 16 | Opt | Review: CW 1987.12 List: MW 1987.11 | |
Dove Mach II/SE | SE | 68020 | Ad: MW 1988.10 (photo) | |||
Dove Marathon Racer 030 Plus | Plus, SE, Classic | 68030 | 16 | Opt | – | Driver Clip on, Optional Extended Video |
Dove Marathon 020 | SE | 68020 | 16 | Review: MW 1989-03 | ||
Dove Marathon 030 Enhancement | II | 68030 | 32 | No | – | CPU Socket Review MW 1989-03 (photo) Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo) |
Dove Marathon Racer 030 II | II | 68030 | 32 | Yes | – | CPU socket |
Extreme Systems Extender | Driver | |||||
Extreme Systems Vandal | SE | 68030 | 33, 50 | Yes | Driver Clip on, Extended Video | |
Extreme Systems Impact | LC, LC II | 68030 | 33 | Opt | Driver PDS slot | |
Fusion Data TokaMac SX | 68040 | 25 | Yes | PDS slot | ||
Fusion Data TokaMac LC | LC | 68040 | 25 | Yes | PDS slot | |
General Computer Company Hyperdrive 2000 | 128k, 512k, 512KE, Plus | 68000 | 12 | Opt | 1.5MB | No MMU. News: MW 1986.03, MW 1986.09, Review: MW 1986.08, Ad: MW 1986.08, MW 1987.04 |
General Computer Company HyperCharger 020 | SE | 68020 | 12, 16 | Opt | 4MB | Driver No MMU, Connector for the Big Picture monitor from E-machines Review: MW 1987-09, CW 1987.12, MU 1988-03, MW 1989-03 |
Harris Peformer2 | SE | 68000 | 16 | Yes | PDS slot, Extended Video | |
Harris Performer Classic | Classic | 16 | Opt | 64k cache | Ad: MW 1991-11 (photo) | |
Human Touch Computer Products Corp. Three to One Touch Board | 128K, 512K | 68000 | 12 | 1.5MB to 3.5MB | Ad: MW 1986.01, MW 1986.09 512KB programable ROM | |
Irwin Excelerator XL | SE | 68000 | 16 | 32k | MW 1990.02 | |
Irwin Magnetics Excelerator XL | SE | 68020 | 20, 25 | Inc | Review: MW 1989-03 | |
Levco One PLUS One | 1MB | Ad: MW 1986.12 (photo) | ||||
Levco MonsterMac | 512k | 2MB | Includes Fan, requires modification to case/board. Review: MW 1986.02 Ad: 1986.07 (photo) News: MW 1987.11 | |||
Levco Prodigy 4 | 128k, 512k, 512KE, Plus | 68020 | 16 | Opt | 4MB | No MMU, Connector for MegaScreen Plus from Micrographics Images, SCSI port, RAM disk. Includes fan and power supply. Review: MW 1986.08, CW 1987.12, MU 1989-02 Ad: MW 1986.08 (photo), 1987-10 MU (photo) News: MW 1987-11 |
Levco Prodigy Prime | Plus | 68020 | 16 | 68881 | 1MB to 32MB | 68851 MMU, Clip-on 1987-09 MU: Review, 1987-10 MU: Ad, 1987-11 MW: List, 1987-12 CW: List. |
Levco Prodigy SE | SE | 68020 | 16 | Opt | 4MB, 32MB | Optional MMU, Connector for MegaScreen II from Micrographics Images According to the review the accelerator may support up to 32MB if the 68851 Paged Memory Management Unit (PMMU) is installed. 1987-09 MW: Review, 1987-09 MU: Review, 1987-10 MU: Ad, 1987-11 MW: List, 1987-11 MU: Review (photo) and ad (photo), 1987-12 CW: List, 1988-03 MU: Review (photo), 1989-02 MU: Review (photo), 1989-03 benchmark |
Logica LogiCache | IIsi, IIci | 68030 | 50 | Opt | Ad: MW 1991-11 (photo) Cache-card slot (April 1993) | |
Mac Advance MacGusto II | 512KE | none | Opt | 2.5MB | No MMU, Adds SCSI | |
Mac Doctor Electronics Brainstorm | 128K, 512K | 1MB to 4MB | Ad: MW 1986.02, MW 1986.04, MW 1986.07, MW 1986.12 List: MW 1987.11 | |||
MacDoctor Electronics MacDoctor 512 | 128K | 384K | Upgrades 128K to 512K Ad: MW 1986 Winter List: MW 1987.11 | |||
MacMemory, Inc. MaxPlus Mega | Plus | 2MB | List: MW 1987.11 | |||
MaxMemory, Inc. MaxSAVE | Plus | Battery backed up RAM disk. Ad: MW 1986.12 (photo) Review: MW 1986.12 (photo) | ||||
MacMemory, Inc. TheMax | 128k, 512k | 1.5MB | Requires modification to case/board Review: MW 1986.02 Ad: MW 1985.10, MW 1985.11 (photo), MW 1986 Winter | |||
MacMemory, Inc. TheMax2 | 128k, 512k | 2MB | Ad: MW 1986.02 (photo), MW 1986.03, MW 1986.04, MW 1986.06 (drawing), MW 1986.08 (photo) | |||
MacMemory, Inc. TheMaxPlus | Plus, II | 2MB | Ad: MW 1986.04, MW 1986.06 (drawing), MW 1986.07 (photo), MW 1986.12 (photo), List: MW 1987.11 | |||
MacMemory TurboMax | 512KE, Plus | 68000 | 16 | Opt | 4MB | No MMU, Connector for the Big Picture monitor from E-machines, SCSI port, RAM disk. Includes fan and power supply Review: Byte 1987.12 (photo) MW 1987.02, CW 1987.12, MU 1988.03 |
MacMemory Turbo SE | SE | 68000 | 16 | Opt | 4MB | No MMU, Connector for the Big Picture monitor from E-machines Reviews: CW 1987.12, MU 1988.03 |
MACohm Projects 512K upgrade | 128K, 512K | 384K, 1.5MB | Ad: MW 1985.06, MW 1985.09, MW 1985.10, MW 1986.02 | |||
MacPeak Systems Plus-RAM | Plus | 2MB | List: MW 1987.11 | |||
MacPeak Systems Orion | SE | 68020 | 16 | Opt | 8MB, 32MB | Optional MMU, Galaxy Adapter option According to the review the accelerator may support up to 32MB if the 68851 Paged Memory Management Unit (PMMU) is installed. Reviews: MW 1987.09, CW 1987.12, 1989-03 benchmark Ad: MW 1988.10 (photo) |
MacPeak Systems Orion 25 | SE | 68020 | 25 | Opt | 8MB | Optional MMU, Galaxy Adapter option, Reviews: CW 1987.12, 1989-03 benchmark |
MacPeak Systems Orion SE | SE | Reviews: MU 1988.03, Ad: MW 1988.10 (photo) | ||||
MacPeak The Orion One | Ad: MW 1988.10 (photo) | |||||
MacPeak The Orion II | Ad: MW 1988.10 (photo) | |||||
MacProducts 2MB | Plus | 2MB | List: MW 1987.11 | |||
MacProducts Magic | Plus, II, 512K, 128K | 1MB | List: MW 1987.11 | |||
MacProducts Railgun 020 Plus/SE | 128k, 512K/KE, Plus, SE | 68020 | 16, 25 | Licensed from Novy, see: Novy Max20MX MW 1990.02 | ||
MacProducts Railgun 030 Plus/SE | 128k, 512K/KE, Plus, SE | 68030 | 16, 25, 33 | Opt | Clip on, MW 1990.02 Licensed from Novy, see: Novy Systems Quik30 | |
MacProducts Railgun Pro II | SE 30, LC LC II, Color Classic, SI, SI | 68030 | 50 | Inc | 64MB | Licenced from Novy, see: Novy Systems ImagePro II / Image Pro LC Ads: MW 1993.12, MU 1994.01, MW 1994.12 (picture). |
MacProducts USA Magic 020 | Plus | 68020 | 12.5 | Inc | none | No MMU, Cpu can be upgraded to a 68030 |
MASS MICRO | SE, II | 2MB | List: MW 1987.11 | |||
MASS MICRO PLUS | Plus | 2MB | List: MW 1987.11 | |||
Mass Tech FastMac | 512k | 1MB, 1.5MB, 2MB | 2MB requires a separate power supply, includes fan Review: MW 1986.02 Ad: MW 1985.06, MW 1985.11, MW 1985.12 | |||
Micah Memory Card | 2MB, 4MB | Ad: MW 1986.03 | ||||
Micro Conversions, Inc. 1 Meg Upgrade | 128k, 512k | 512K to 4MB | Includes Fan, requires modification to case/board Review: MW 1986.02 Ad: MW 1985.08, MW 1985.10, MU 1985.11, MW 1986.02 (picture) | |||
MicroMac Carrera 040 | IIci, IIsi, IIcx or IIx | 68040 | 33, 40,45 | 128kb | micromac.com: 33,40, and 45 | |
MicroMac DiiMO 030 | II, IIci, IIvx, IIvi, IIsi, IIcx, IIx, LCIII, Performa 600, SE/30 | 68030 | 50 | Opt | 64kb | micromac.com |
MicroMac Marathon | II | 68030 | 32 | Opt | micromac.com | |
MicroMac MultiSpeed | Plus, SE | 68030 | 25 | Opt | micromac.com, Clip on, Optional Extended Video | |
MicroMac Performer | Plus, SE, Classic | 68030 | 16 | Opt | micromac.com | |
MicroMac PerformerPro | Plus, SE, Classic | 68030 | 32 | Opt | 64kb | micromac.com |
MicroMac Power WorkStation | LC, LCII | 68030 | 32 | Opt | 32kb | micromac.com, adds ThurderCache and Network card. |
MicroMac Speedster | LC, LCII | 68040 | 25 | Inc | micromac.com | |
MicroMac SpeedDoubler | Quadra 700, 900 | 68040 | 50 | Inc | 128K | micromac.com |
MicroMac Thunder | LC, LCII | 68030 | 32 | Opt | micromac.com | |
MicroMac ThunderCache | LC, LCII | 68030 | 32 | Opt | 32kb | micromac.com |
MicroMac ThunderCachePro | LC, LCII or Color Classic | 68030 | 32, 50 | Opt | 26MB | micromac.com |
MicroMac ThunderPro | LC, LCII or Color Classic | 68030 | 32 | Opt | 26MB | micromac.com |
Mobius 030 | SE, Classic | 68030 | 25 | Opt | 16MB | Driver Clip on, Extended Video Reviews: MW 1991.07, MW 1993.06 News: CW 1991.04, CW 1991.08 Ads: MW 1991.11 (photo), MU 1992.05 (photo), MU 1992.10 (photo), MU 1993.06 (photo) MW 1993.07 (photo) |
Modius 040 Speedster | IIx, IIci, IIsi, IIcx, LC | 68040 | 25, 33, 40 | 128kb | Driver Reviews: MW 1995.02 Ads: MU 1994.01 (photo), MW 1995.01 (photo), MW 1995.03 (photo) | |
National Semiconductor Corp. NS8/16-48 | II | 4MB, 8MB, 16MB | List: MW 1987.11 | |||
Network Specialties Jump 020 | 512KE, Plus | 68020 | 12 | Opt | 4MB | No MMU, StretchScreen and StretchProjector, Can also run at 16 and 24 MHz Review: CW 1987.12 Ad: MW 1987.00 (photo) |
NewBridge UltraMax NM MX-25 | 512KE, Plus, SE | 68020 | 25 | Rebranded to Newlife 25 and Newlife 25SE Ad: MW 1990.02 | ||
NewBridge UltraMax NM MXC-33 | 512KE, Plus, SE | 68020 | 33 | Rebranded to Newlife 33SE Ad: MW 1990.02 | ||
NewLife 1 | 128k, 512K, 512Ke | 68HC000 | 4MB | Clip on, SCSI Port Manual(s), drivers, advertisements and reviews | ||
NewLife 2 | 128k, 512K, 512Ke | 68HC000 | 4MB | Clip on, SCSI Port, Video Port Manual(s), drivers, advertisements and reviews | ||
NewLife 16 | 128k, 512K, 512Ke, Plus | 68030 | 16 | Opt | 16MB | Clip on, optional SCSI and Video, seems to be a cost reduced version of the NewLife 25 Manual(s), drivers, advertisements and reviews |
NewLife 16SE | SE | 68030 | 16 | Opt | 16MB | PDS, optional Video, seems to be a cost reduced version of the NewLife 25SE Manual(s), drivers, advertisements and reviews |
NewLife 25 | 128k, 512K, 512Ke, Plus | 68030 | 25 | Opt | 4MB | Clip on, Manual(s), drivers, advertisements and reviews |
NewLive 25CL | Classic | 68030 | 16, 20, 25 | Opt | 16MB | Manual(s), drivers, advertisements and reviews |
NewLife 25SE | SE | 68030 | 25 | Opt | 4MB, 16MB | PDS Slot, Optional Extended Video Manual(s), drivers, advertisements and reviews |
NewLife 33SE | SE | 68030 | 33 | Opt | 16MB | Manual(s), drivers, advertisements and reviews |
Novy Floating Point Accelerator | 128k, 512k, 512KE, Plus | N/A | Yes | Clip on, requires special software. Review: MW 1986.08, MW 1986.09 | ||
Novy Systems ImagePro | Plus, SE | 68030 | 16, 25, 33, 40, 50 | Yes | 16MB | Clip on, Extended Video |
Novy Systems ImagePro II / Image Pro LC | SE 30, LC LC II, Color Classic, SI, SI | 68030 | 50 | Inc | 64MB | PDS slot. I have a prototype of this board for the LC, LC II, CC, that I bought from a Novy Technology Inc employee in 2022. This board may have been sold by MacProducts after Novy Systems went bankrupt. Ads as Image Pro II: MW 1993.12, MU 1994.01, MW 1994.12, (picture), as Image Pro LC: Macwelt 1993 |
Novy Systems Mac20 | (review), MW 1990.02 Ad: MU 1987.08 | |||||
Novy Systems Mac20Mx | 512KE, Plus, SE | 68020 | 12, 16, 20, 24 | Opt | 4MB | No MMU, Includes fan and power supply, SCSI port is optional Review: MU 1988.03, Ads: MU 1987.08, MW 1990.02 |
Novy Systems Quik 30 Plus | Plus | 68030 | 4MB | Driver Clip on Appears to be the same board as the NewLife 25, and | ||
Novy Systems Quik 30 SE | SE | 68030 | 4MB, 16MB | Driver PDS slot | ||
OpenMac Enterprises Ram Series | Plus, SE, II | 2MB, 4MB | List: MW 1987.11 | |||
OpenMac Enterprises RamPlus | Plus | 2MB, 4MB | List: MW 1987.11 | |||
Quesse Maccelerator | 128k, 512k, 512KE, Plus | Yes | Clips on, includes QuickSANE that redirects SANE requests to the FPU. MW 1986.08, MW 1986.09 | |||
Radius Accelerator | 512KE, Plus, SE | 68020 | 16 | Opt | 32K cache | Driver No MMU, Full Page Display (SE only) Reviews: MW 1987.09, Byte 1987.12 (photo), CW 1987.12, MU 1988.03, MW 1989-03 (benchmark, photo) |
Radius Accelerator 25 | SE | 68020 | 25 | Review: MW 1998.10 | ||
Radius Rocket | II, IIcx, IIci | 68040 | 25, 33 | Yes | – | NuBus slot |
Ryad Mac Engine GT | 128K, 512K, 512KE, Plus | 68000 | 16 | No | 4MB | No MMU, Includes fan and power supply, and SCSI port |
Ryad MacEngine Turbo | 128K, 512K, 512KE, Plus | 68020 | 16 | Opt | 4MB | No MMU, Includes fan and power supply, and SCSI port |
Siclone si30 | II, IIx | 68030 | 33, 40, 50 | Inc | Company purchased by Applied Engineering in 1991 (MW 1991.08) brochure, MW 1988-01, IW 1988-11, MW 1988-01, | |
Siclone Intensifier ci | ci | 68030 | 50 | Opt | Company purchased by Applied Engineering in 1991 (MW 1991.08) brochure | |
Siclone Turbo SE | SE | 68000 | 16 | MW 1988-10 ad, MW 1989-02 review (photo), MW 1989-03 benchmark | ||
Siclone MacAdapt | 512KE, Plus | 68000 | 16 | Adapter for the TurboSE MU 1988-09 ad, MW 1988-10 ad | ||
Spectra Micro Development MacAccelerator | 512KE, Plus, SE | 68020 | 12 | Inc | None | No MMU, Connector for the Big Picture monitor from E-machines |
Sonnet Alegro II | II, IIx | 68030 | 33 | Sonnettech.com MacAddict 006 | ||
Sonnet Alegro LC | LC, LC II, Color Classic | 68030 | 33 | Inc | 16k cache | Sonnettech.com |
Sonnet Alegro SE | SE | 68030 | 33 | Inc | 16MB | Sonnettech.com |
Sonnet Alegro SE/30 | SE/30 | 68030 | 33 | Sonnettech.com | ||
Sonnet Presto 040 | IIvi, IIcx, IIsi | 68040 | 80/40 | Inc | 128k cache | Sonnettech.com, software v3.1 Adapter required for Mac IIcx and IIsi. |
Sonnet Presto Plus | Mac LC, LC II, LC III, LC III+, LC 520, LC 550; Performa 250, 275, 400, 405, 410, 430, 450, 460, 466, 467, 520, 550, 560; and Color Classic, Color Classic II. | 68040 | 66/33 | Opt | 32MB | Sonnettech.com, software v3.1 Includes built-in 10-base-T internet Supports up to System 8.1 for some systems (LC up to 7.6.1, IIc up to 7.5.5) |
Sonnet Quad Doubler | Centris 610, 650, 660AV; Quadra 610, 660AV, 700, 900; WS 60/20 & 60/25 | 68040 | 100/50, 80/40 | Inc | 0MB | Sonnettech.com |
SuperMac Technology Ehance | 512E, 512KE | 2MB | List: MW 1987.11 | |||
SuperMac Technology SuperRam 2 | Plus | 4MB | List: MW 1987.11 | |||
SuperMac Technology SpeedCard | SE | 68000 | 15.67 | Opt | 1MB | 1988-02 IW: Note, 1988-08 MU: Note, 1988-12 MU: Note, MU 1989-02 Note, Review (photo), video |
SuperMac Technology Prodigy SE | SE | 68020 | 16 | Inc | 8MB | No MMU, Connector for the Big Picture monitor from E-machines, uses ZIPs for memory |
TechWorks LC | LC | 68040 | 25 | Inc | – | PDS slot |
TechWorks NuBus 040 | II, IIcx, IIsi, IIci | 68040 | 33 | Yes | – | NuBus slot |
Total Systems Enterprise 030 | LC, LC II | 68030 | 16 | Inc | – | PDS slot Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo), |
Total Systems Gemini Classic | Classic | 20,25,33, 40 | Opt | 16MB | Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo), Drivers | |
Total Systems Gemini Integra | 50 | Drivers | ||||
Total Systems Gemini Ultra | 128k, 512K, Plus, SE | 68030 | 20,25,33, 40 | Opt | 16MB | Drivers Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo), |
Total Systems Gemini Ultra Classic | Classic | 68030 | 20, 33, 50 | Opt | Drivers Clip-on, optional extended graphics | |
Total Systems Integration TSI-020 | 512KE, Plus, SE | 68020 | 12, 16, 20, 24 | Opt | 4MB | See also: Novy Max20MX No MMU, Includes fan and power supply, and SCSI port Ad: MU 1987.12 Review: IW 1987.09, CW 1987.12, MW 1988.08 (photo), Byte 1987.12 (photo) News: MW 1987.12, |
Total Systems Magellan | SE/30, IIsi, IIci, IIFX | 68040 | 25 | Yes | – | PDS slot Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo), |
Total Systems Mercury 030 | SE | 68030 | 16 | Opt | PDS slot, Optional Extended Video Ad: MW 1991.11 (photo), | |
Total Systems Voyager | II | 68030 | 50 | Opt | – | CPU socket |
VOAD Systems The MacBoard | 128K | 384K | Ad: MW 1985.08, MW 1986.02 | |||
Warp Nine Engineering, Inc DataRam | Plus | 2MB | Ad: MW 1986.12 List: MW 1987.11 | |||
Warp Nine Engineering, Inc MonsterRam | Plus | 2.5MB | Ad: MW 1986.12 List: MW 1987.11 For use with an internal hard disk | |||
Warp Nine Engineering, Inc WarpRam | 512K, 512KE | 1MB | List: MW 1987.11 |
Manufacturers
Some additional details I found about the following manufactures: Apple, Aox, Beck-Tech, Brainstorm, Computer Sales Associates (CSA), DayStar, Dove Computer Corporation, Extreme Systems, Fusion Data, General Computer Company (GCC), Harris Performer, Irwin, Levco, Mac Advance, MacMemory, MacPeak, MacProducts, MassTech, MicroConversion, MicroMac, Mobius, Network Spacialties, NewLife/New Bridge, Novy Systems, Radius, Ryad, Siclone Sales and Engineering Corp., Spectra, Sonnet, SuperMac, Techworks, Total Systems Integration (TSI), Quesse, Warp Nine.
Apple
Apple mainly offered upgrades in the form of new logic boards for their systems, e.g. when the 512 was released you could swap out the 128’s logic board with the 512’s, etc. For now I’ve limited the list to an upgrade in the CPU.
Applied Engineering
In fall of 1991 Siclone Sales and Engineering went bankrupt and Applied Engineering took over their product line (MacWorld 1991.08)
Aox
Beck-Tech
Brainstorm
Computer Sales Associates (CSA)
DayStar Digital
DayStar Digital appears to have had a licensing agreement with Novy Systems Inc with their Max20MX being identical to the Novy Max20Mx accelerator.
Dove Computer Corporation
Extreme Systems
Fusion Data
General Computer Company (GCC)
Harris Performer
Irwin
Levco
Mac Advance
MacMemory
MacPeak
MacProducts
MacProducts appears to have had a licensing agreement with Novy Systems Inc with the Railgun accelerators being identical to the Novy Quik30 accelerators.
Became DGR Technologies Inc. in 1994, there are two domains cached by the internet archive, both point to the same site, or sites with similar info, one for Bottom Line Distribution called Bottom Line Online (blol.com), and one for DGR (drg.com) that links to pages on blol.com.
MassTech
MicroConversion
MicroMac
Mobius
Network Spacialties
NewLife / New Bridge
Novy Systems
Radius
Ryad
Siclone Sales and Engineering Corp. (1988 to 1991)
Located at 1169 Borregas Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94089 (MW 1989.03). In fall of 1991 Siclone Sales and Engineering went bankrupt and Applied Engineering took over their product line (MacWorld 1991.08)
Spectra
Sonnet
SuperMac
Techworks
Total Systems Integration (TSI) (… to 1993)
Total Systems Integration appears to have have a licensing agreement with Novy Systems Inc for the TSI-020, and possibly for their Gemini 020 and Gemini 030 cards.
MacWeek June 28th 1993, page 64. Announcement Total Systems Integration (TSI) has filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.
Quesse
References and Timeline
- MacWorld April 1984, A new world, reviews the 128k Macintosh, and Polishing the Mac, and interview with Bill Gates.
- MacWorld May/June 1984, Fat Mac, the wait for 256k chips to upgrade 128k macs to 512k macs
- MacWorld July/August 1984, The Mac Lines Up with Mainframes, and the Mac Connects, Macintosh terminal server
- MacWorld November 1984, The Macintosh Deluxe, reviews the 512k Macintosh and
- MacWorld December 1984, Shifting in to Overdrive, reviews the very first hard drives for the Macintosh. Non-SCSI, they connect to the printer or modem port instead.
- Book 1985 by Arthur Naiman: MacBook : the indispensable guide to Macintosh hardware and software
- MacWorld August 1985, In search of a better mouse
- MacUser October 1985, File Servers: The Macintosh office’s missing link
- MacUser November 1985, Between a Rock and a Hard Disk. and Delivering a Fat Mac (how to modify a 128k mac into a 512k mac)
- Book 1986 by Gene William: Chilton’s guide to Macintosh repair and maintenance
- MacWorld February 1986, Megabytes and Beyond, reviews the Beck-Teck MacMegabytes, Levco MonsterMac, MacMemory TheMax, MassTech FastMac, MicroCoversion 1 Meg Upgrade
- MacWorld August 1986, New Ways to a Faster Mac, reviews the General Computer Company Hyperdrive 2000, Levco Prodigy 4, Novy Floating Point Accelerator, Quesse Maccelerator
- MacWorld September 1986, Enter the SCSI drives, reviews of some of the very first SCSI drives for the Mac
- Book 1987 by Arthur Naiman: The Macintosh Bible
- BYTE August 1987, The Macintosh SE, mentions the accelerators and questions why the SE doesn’t have 68020 CPU
- MacWorld September 1987, Beefing up the SE, reviews the General Computer Company HyperCharger 020, Leveco Prodigy SE, MacPeak Systems Orion, Radius Accelerator
- ComputerWorld December 1987, list of IBM compatible and Macintosh Accelerators
- Book 1988 by Arthur Naiman: The Macintosh Bible (second edition)
- MacWorld Feb 1988, New Life for an Old Mac
- MacWorld March 1988, Pedal to the Metal, reviews the Mac Plus control, Mac SE control, Mac 20, Turbo Max, Turbo Se, Accelerator Plus, Mac II control, Hypercharger 020, Orion SE, Accelerator SE, Mac20MX Prodigy SE
- MacWorld August 1988: Staying Alive, an optical mouse for the Plus?
- BYTE December 1988, Mac Expansion, reviews of Aox inc DoubleTime, Dove’s MaraThon 020, E-Machines DoubleColor, Mecury Computer System’s MC3200NU, Network Specialties Inc Jump 020, Novy Systems MAC20MX, Radius Inc Accelerator 16 for the Mac Plus, and for the SE, and the Accelerator 25.
- MacWorld September 1988, Short Takes, review of the TSI-020MX (licensed from Novy Systems) and Radius Accelerator 25
- Book 1989 Sharon Zardetto Aker: The Macintosh Bible (second edition, first update)
- BYTE November 1989, Upward Mobility
- Book 1989 Bob Vitus’s: Doctor Macintosh (and 1992), and other reference books for system software and applications.
- MacWorld February 1990, Is your mac obsolete?
- Book 1990 by Larry Pina: Macintosh Repair and Upgrade Secrets
- MacWorld August 1990, Full Speed Ahead
- MacUser August 1990, Chasing the IIfx Accelerators
- Book 1991 by Arthur Naiman and Sharon Zardetto Aker: The Macintosh Bible (third edition)
- Book 1991 by Larry Pina: Macintosh II Repair and Secrets
- Book 1991 by Bob Brant: Upgrade Your Macintosh and Save a Bundle
- MacUser June 1991, IIci Cache Cards
- MacWorld July 1991, the Accelerated Course, accelerator cards
- MacWorld November 1991, new life for old roms, info about the creation of Mode32 for system 7.
- Book 1991, MacWorld’s Complete Mac Handbook, list of accelerator manufacturers and their products
- Book 1992 by Arthur Naiman: The Macintosh Bible (forth edition)
- Book 1992 by Larry Pina: Dead Mac Scrolls
- BYTE February 1992, Accelerator, Coprocessor and Multiprocessor Boards
- MacWorld June 1992, The need for speed
- MacUser June 1992, Blasting Off: CPU Accelerators
- MacUser August 1992, MiniFinders, mentions limited SCSI throughput for Novy Accelerators.
- MacUser September 1992, New Life for Old Macs
- MacUser October 1992, Repairs and Upgrades for the Mac IIfx
- MacUser November 1992, Fast 68040 Accelerators, Upgrading the Mac SE
- MacUser December 1992, Upgrading the Mac IIci
- Book 1992 by Garry Howard: the Macintosh Do It Yourself Upgrade Book basic information on several accelerators, memory and other upgrades
- Book 1992 by Bob Brant: Build your own Macintosh and Save a Bundle, basic information on several accelerators, memory and other upgrades
- Book 1992 by John Dvorak: Dovorak’s inside track to the Macintosh
- Book 1993 by Larry Pina: Mac classic & SE : repair and upgrade secrets
- MacUser January 1993, Maximum RAM, Upgrading the Mac SE/30 (253)
- MacUser March 1993, Upgrading the Mac LC
- MacUser April 1993, 100 Accelerated Systems
- MacWorld June 1993, Upgrading Your Mac, and Buyers Guide
- Book 1995 by Todd Stauffer: Using your Mac
- MacWorld February 1995, Making the move to PowerMac, includes a comment that the 68k accelerator market has “dried up”
- MacWorld UK February 1995, Movin’ on up
- Book 1996 by Clifford Colby and Sharon Zardetto Aker: The Macintosh Bible (sixth edition, I intentionally skipped the fifth edition since it doesn’t seem to have info on accelerators)
- MacAddict 006 February 1997, This Old Mac: Mac Plus, Tates Dove, Mobius, NewLife, and Novy Systems are out of business, and provides the urls for MicroMac, Mobius (no mention of their accelerators), and Sonnet Technologies.
- MacAddict 007 March 1997, This Old Mac: SE/30
- MacAddict 008 April 1997, This Old Mac: Mac II
- MacAddict 009 May 1997, This Old Mac: Mac IIci, IIcx, and IIsi
- MacAddict 011 July 1997, This Old Mac: Mac LC, LC II, and LC III
- MacUser July 1997, Never Say Die
- MacAddict 012 August 1997, This Old Mac: LC 475, 500 Series, and 630
- MacAddict 014 October 1997, This Old Mac: Centris and Quadra 610 and 650
- Book 1998 Sharon Zardetto Aker: The Macintosh Bible (seventh edition), other than a mention of compatibility issues, no info on specific cards, this fits with the .
- MacAddict 019 March 1998, Nitro Burning Funny Macs, and This Old Mac: Power Mac 6100
- Book 1998 by Todd Stauffer: Mac Upgrade and Repair Bible
- MacAddict 021 May 1998, This Old Mac: Pumping Up a Powerbook 100
- MacAddict 024 August 1998, Pumping Up a PowerBook 520/540
- MacAddict 027 November 1998, This Old Mac: The All in Ones
- MacAddict 029 January 1999, Anti-Aging Upgrades,
- MacAddict May 1999, This Old Mac online articles (last entry for the page in the wayback machine)
Please add the Levco SuperMac SpeedCard to your list.
Year: 1988
Supports: SE
CPU: 16MHz 68000
FPU: Opt
Memory: —
Comments: PDS Slot
Source #1: https://bit.ly/3ShYPeu
Source #2: https://youtu.be/jxFu6Ye8_To?t=3043
Added, I put it under SuperMac. SuperMac bought Levco in 1987, and all the reviews I`ve found refer to it as the SuperMac SpeedCard. I’m still adding to this list as I have time. There seems to be a lot of instances where one company bought another, or licensed from another. E.g. a lot of companies seem to have licensed tech from Novy, or simply re-branded a Novy accelerator as their own. E.g. Daystar selling the Novy Mac20Mx.
Share driver for the Mobius 30?
I’m using the 4.99 Mobius driver, and Compact Virtual 3.02. I plan to post an entry on my site soon for how I have this all setup on my SE sometime this winter (way to many outdoor chores at the moment). Note: You can only use up to System 7.1.3 with Compact Virtual 3.02. System 7.5.x is NOT supported. Lack of support for System 7.5.x was an issue for pretty much all of these old accelerators. That said, you can use the Mobius accelerator on the SE under 7.5.5, you will get the CPU bump (or at least I did), but will not have access to the extra memory. I need to do some more tests to see what memory is being used, the 4MB on the MB, or the first 4MB on the accelerator.