I found what I think is the only booting Apple Prototype PenLite

[ivanthetolerable]

I found this today and I tried to boot it once. It boots but goes into a debugger. I think it's the only example that currently works and I need some advice to clone the hdd. I have the DuoDock as well. First I need to get it recapped but I'm too afraid to tacking such an item myself- This isn't just some compact mac after all!

 

[NeXT]

Aaaaa I saw that on twitter earlier! I am immensely jealous.
Plug an ADB keyboard in to the dock and hold the shift key while booting to disable extensions and let you reach the desktop. If you want to back the drive up the majority of the "easy" ways all require another mac or at least the Mini dock which has a SCSI port. If all you got is the micro dock and a floppy drive this is gonna be a lot harder.

 

[NeXT]

Well considering OP has not been back in a week I don't think there's a lot more we're going to hear out of this.

 

[VERAULT]

Apple seems to be the only company with SOO MANY prototypes floating around. There was an odd looking IIC prototype lfrom 1983 listed in Connecticut last year. I own two Very early model Apple III external floppy drives that are prototypes... It seems they would make working prototypes and staff would end up taking them home... Which is pretty cool but doesnt make them all that rare.

 

[NeXT]

It's always been a rumor that during the 90's while Apple was struggling to keep the lights on to save a bit of money security and inventory auditing wasn't as tight as it should of been and prototypes were walking out to be used by employees for home use and not coming back. That began to change once Steve returned. I remember the 3G enabled prototype macbook about ten years ago that appeared on ebay then soon after Apple's lawyers came knocking and it was never seen again.

 

[VERAULT]

Could be the answer for it. I saw one video of a former Apple Employee who had about 20 prototypes in his collection. If they were were simply just taken he didnt mention that part.