December 5, 2002: Apple Online Store Services Millionth Customer

Apple started the Apple Online Store pushing customization in 1997. The online store provided users a way to order a Mac in multiple configurations, something of a novelty when it was first revealed.

The store also provided shop-at-home convenience for those who were able to wait for shiny Apple goodness. The store received the usual accolades from the media and, just as predictably, pans from some users.

Love it or hate it, or even those neutral to the site had to admit that the Apple Online Store was successful (blame it on the popularity of the net or the quality of the site, whatever) when Apple announced that the eStore had serviced its millionth unique customer this week in 2002.