Apple Bandai Pippin

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Pippin
PIPPIN.svg
The Japanese Bandai Pippin (Atmark Player) and wireless controller
The Bandai Pippin (Atmark Player) and wireless controller
Developer Apple Computer
Manufacturer Bandai
Type Multimedia player, home video game console
Generation Fifth generation era
Release date
    Introductory price US$599
    Discontinued 1997[1]
    Units sold 42,000[1]
    Media CD-ROM
    CPU PowerPC 603 RISC (66 MHz)
    Memory 6 MB combined system and video memory,128kb NVRAM
    Graphics "Taos" [2] (VGA/16-bit)
    Controller input "AppleJack": control pad with embedded trackball
    Connectivity 14.4, 28.8, 33.6 kbit/s modems
    Online services PSINet/@World
    Predecessor Playdia

    The Apple Bandai Pippin, stylized "PiP P!N", is a multimedia technology console, designed by Apple Computer. The console was based on the Apple Pippin platform – a derivative of the Apple Macintosh platform. Bandai produced the ATMARK and @WORLD consoles between 1995 and 1997.

    The goal of the Bandai Pippin was to create an inexpensive computer aimed mostly at playing CD-based multimedia software, especially games, but also functioning as a thin client. The operating system was basically a stripped version of System 7.5.2, and was based on a 66 MHz PowerPC 603 processor and a 14.4 kb/s modem. It featured a 4×-speed CD-ROM drive and a video output that could connect to a standard television display.

    Marketing

    In Japan, Bandai produced Pippin-based systems called the Pippin Atmark (ピピンアットマーク Pipin Attomāku?). Most of the Atmark systems used the same platinum color used on many of the Apple Macintosh models at the time.

    In the United States and most parts of Europe, Bandai named the system the Bandai Pippin @WORLD (pronounced "at-world"). The @WORLD had the same specifications as the Pippin Atmark, but ran an English version of Mac OS. Most of the western systems used a black color.

    History

    Lua error in Module:Details at line 30: attempt to call field '_formatLink' (a nil value). Bandai manufactured fewer than 100,000 Pippins, but reportedly sold 42,000 systems before discontinuing the line. Production of the system was so limited, there were more keyboard and modem accessories produced than actual systems.[3]

    In May 2006, the Pippin placed 22nd in PC World's list of the "25 Worst Tech Products of All Time."[4]

    Software

    Japan

    Very little software was produced for the Japanese version on release in early 1995. While some promised software may not have been released, the number that was released is less than 80 games and applications.[5]

    USA

    When Bandai released the U.S. version, it had only 18 games and applications sold separately, and six CDs came with the Pippin itself. Upgrades to the Pippin Browser were released as a new CD over time, and so was an update to TV Works (a text and drawing program).[6]

    Accessories

    An AppleJack controller
    • AppleJack controller
    • AppleJack Wireless (IR) controller
    • Applebag Tickler vibrating controller
    • AppleBlaster Light Gun
    • Pippin keyboard with drawing tablet
    • Pippin Modems (14.4, 28.8, 33.6 kbit/s)
    • Pippin memory (2, 4, 8, 16 MB)
    • Pippin Floppy Dock
    • Pippin MO 256 MB optical disk
    • Pippin ADB adapter (for connecting Macintosh devices to Pippin)
    • Pippin to Macintosh (ADB) adapter (for connecting Pippin devices to Macintosh)

    Printers

    Pippin can use the Apple Color StyleWriter 2400 and 2500 series through its serial port.

    See Also

    References

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    3. ↑ Assembler (via Archive.org). Apple Bandai Pippin. Retrieved March 21, 2008.
    4. ↑ The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time: 22. Apple Pippin @World (1996) (Dan Tynan, PCWorld, May 26, 2006)
    5. ↑ The most accurate list of Pippin titles. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
    6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

    External links

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