MacUser started publication in late 1985[1] as a four-color monthly and contained general interest Mac articles.

[2][3] It had reviews and regular columns for novice and experienced users with a more humorous view of the Macintosh world than other publications of the time.

A unique feature, not available in other publications, was the inclusion of about 250 capsule reviews in each edition.

[4] The initial cover price was $3.50, with an annual subscription of $23 (or $42 for two years.

)[4] In 1997, the publication was absorbed into Macworld as Macworld, incorporating MacUser (a name reflected subtly on the magazine's Table of Contents page) reflecting a consolidation of the Ziff Davis-owned MacUser magazine into the International Data Group-owned Macworld within the new Mac Publishing joint venture between the two publishers.