Apple Bandai Pippin

Pippin

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
  • JP: March 28, 1996
  • NA: September 1, 1996
Introductory price US$599
Discontinued 1997[1]
Units sold 42,000[1]
Media CD-ROM
Operating system Mac OS
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
Weight 4 KG
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 1996 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 a 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[3] 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

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.[4]

In May 2006, the Pippin placed 22nd in PC World's list of the "25 Worst Tech Products of All Time."[5]

Software

Japan

Very little software was produced for the Japanese version on release in early 1996. While some promised software may not have been released, the number that was released is fewer than 80 games and applications.[6]

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).[7]

Accessories

An AppleJack controller

Printers

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

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Snow, Blake (May 4, 2007). "The 10 Worst-Selling Consoles of All Time". GamePro.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
  2. ↑ "Hacking the Pippin". Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Pippin Debuts as Bandai's Power Player". Next Generation. Imagine Media (4): 30. April 1995.
  4. ↑ Assembler (via Archive.org). Apple Bandai Pippin. Retrieved March 21, 2008.
  5. ↑ The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time: 22. Apple Pippin @World (1996) (Dan Tynan, PCWorld, May 26, 2006)
  6. ↑ The most accurate list of Pippin titles Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  7. ↑ "About the Apple Pippin". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
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