8-Pin Mini-DIN
Different Apple computer or Macintosh computer Apple-Talk pin-outs are listed below.
The pinout tables are all for 8 pin circular mini-DIN connectors used for the Apple-Talk protocol.
A short description of the interfaces usage may be provided along with the pin outs.
Each pin-out table indicates which computer, printer or device the pinouts are used with [was used on].
How ever, no electrical standards or cabling information is provided for the individual interfaces.
The LocalTalk interface is a chained-bus, meaning each interface is connected to the previous one [Bus Topology].
The cabling consisted of Unshielded Twisted Pair wiring [UTP], normally consisting of two wire pairs.
The physical interface used was RS-422 (balanced RS-449). Refer to the TIA-442, or TIA-449 interfaces.
The LocalTalk LAN interface operates up to 230kbps using the AppleTalk protocol, over a 300 meter cable.
Standard Request to Send (RTS) and Clear To Send (CTS) receiver acknowledgments.
The data field could be up to 600 bytes, with a 16 bit CRC appended to the stream.
The EtherNet interface replaced
the Localtalk interface, offering higher networking speed and a standard
connector.
The LocalTalk interface is Obsolete and should not be used for new designs. LocalTalk is only used by Apple.
Additional pin out tables for other Apple protocols are listed on the
Apple Computer Buses page.
A full list of buses found on any computer type is listed on the Personal Computer Buses
page.
Here is a link to Connector Manufacturers, or
Cable manufacturers, and a list of
Cable Assemblies manufacturers.
The Apple Computer Local Talk Pinout and Signal names on a circular 8-Pin Mini-DIN connector.
Used on LaserWriter 12/600
Used on LaserWriter Select 360
Used on LaserWriter 16/600 PS Printer
Used on LaserWriter 4/600 PS Printer
| Pin | name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NC | Not Connected |
| 2 | NC | Not Connected |
| 3 | /TXD | Transmit Data (Inverted} |
| 4 | GND | Ground |
| 5 | /RXD | Receive Data (inverted) |
| 6 | TXD | Transmit Data |
| 7 | NC | Not Connected |
| 8 | RXD | Receive Data |
The Apple Computer Local Talk and RS-422 Pinout and Signal names on a
circular 8-Pin Mini-DIN connector.
Used on LaserWriter Pro 600/630
Used on LaserWriter Personal NTR (Pin 7 is NC, No Connect)
| Pin | name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HSKo | Handshake Signal Output |
| 2 | HSKi | Handshake Signal Input |
| 3 | /TXD | Transmit Data (Inverted} |
| 4 | GND | Ground |
| 5 | /RXD | Receive Data (inverted) |
| 6 | TXD | Transmit Data |
| 7 | GPi | General Purpose Input |
| 8 | RXD | Receive Data |
The Apple Computer LocalTalk Pinout and Signal names on a circular 8-Pin Mini-DIN connector.
Used on LaserWriter 12/640 PS Printer
| Pin | name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SERV_IN | Service IN |
| 2 | SERV_OUT | Service Out |
| 3 | /TXD | Transmit Data (Inverted} |
| 4 | GND | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | RXD | Receive Data |
| 6 | TXD | Transmit Data |
| 7 | /RXD | Receive Data (Inverted) |
| 8 | CGND | Chassis Ground |
Note that some use the acronym NC to mean Not Connected, or No Connection;
As in make no external connection to this pin, or there is no internal connection to this pin.
The rule is to not make a connection to an NC pin because that signal may interfere with a nearby pin, which is being used.
A No Connect pin,or unused pin, is different from a Reserved pin, which could be used at a later time.
Checking the current Mac mini offering from Apple shows the following interfaces:
120 volt Power, a 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet interface on a RJ-45, a
Modem interface on a RJ-11, a DVI/VGA video connector,
two USB connectors, a FireWire 400 connector, and an Audio connector.
It's evident that the AppleTalk interfaces on this page are no longer used in
new product designs by Apple.
The printers or other devices listed may still be in service, but are out-dated.
Related Topics:
Types and graphics of Circular Mini-DIN Connectors.
Issues dealing with Chassis Grounding, or Rack Grounding of electronic equipment.
Definition and description of different Handshake Protocols used by interfaces communicating with each other.
Topic Navigation: Engineering Home > Interface Buses > Personal Computer Buses > Apple Computer Buses > LocalTalk.
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