The RayCue 128K looks like a tiny version of the iconic Macintosh from 1984, but it’s useful in 2023. Very useful — it packs 14 ports and Bluetooth speaker. And the display acts as a digital picture frame.
If that’s not enough, the matching “keyboard” adds seven more ports.
RayCue 128K harks back to the early days of Apple Macintosh
The Macintosh 128K was a watershed computer not only for Apple but for the world by popularizing the mouse and graphical user interface. It was the first in a series of desktops with the same all-in-one design, and many Mac fans today fondly remember using one of these.
Those nostalgic about those early computers can put the RayCue 128K on their desk and it won’t be a simple paperweight. Most notably, the accessory allows any Mac to connect to three 4K external HDMI monitors at 60Hz, though DisplayLink software on the computer is required.
Plus, the hub boasts five USB-A ports and a USB-C port. In place of the floppy drive are SD and microSD card readers. There’s also an Ethernet port and 3.5mm audio jack.
The display can be used as a clock, or it can play a succession of pictures. The device can also function as a digital music player.
But wait, there’s more
The Macintosh 128K came with a keyboard, of course, and there’s a version for the RayCue 128K that’s another hub. This is tiny but there’s room for a pair of USB-A ports, a pair of USB-C ports, an HDMI port and an SD card reader.
The device has already been fully funded on Kickstarter. The disadvantage of using this crowd-funding site is that pre-orders won’t arrive until December. But the upside is the product is now selling for considerably below the regular price.
The basic RayCue 128K without a Bluetooth speaker and other features is $169, down from $249. A Pro version with all the features is $199, down from $299. The full kit, including the external hub that looks like a keyboard, is $229, down from $378.
If this product appeals to you, consider the Shargeek Retro 67, a palm-size wall charger that’s also shaped like the original Macintosh 128K.
