Day 18: Retrocomputing Advent Calendar – Apple I #retrocomputing #firstcomputer #electronics
🎄💾🗓️ Day 18: Retrocomputing Advent Calendar – Apple I🎄💾🗓️ 🖥️🍏
The Apple I, introduced in 1976, was the first computer developed by Apple Computer Company, co-founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne.
It was a revolutionary product designed by Wozniak as it came as a fully assembled circuit board—though users still needed to provide their own case, keyboard, and display.
It featured a MOS 6502 processor running at 1 MHz, 4 KB of standard RAM (expandable to 8 KB or 48 KB), and a built-in cassette interface for loading and saving programs.
Unlike many computers at the time, which required assembly by the buyer, the Apple I was a huge step towards user-friendly personal computing. It supported video output via a composite monitor and allowed text display at 40 characters per line over 24 lines, a feature advanced for its time.
Originally sold for $666.66, fewer than 200 units were produced, making it a super rare collector’s item today.
The Apple I is one of the many reasons for Apple’s later success. It introduced a hobbyist computers that could be upgraded and customized. Its creation marked one of the defining moments in the shift from big ole’ industrial computing to personal computing, appealing to early adopters, and kicked off the idea of home computing.
Have first computer memories? Post’em up in the comments, or post yours on socialz’ and tag them #firstcomputer #retrocomputing – See you back here tomorrow!
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Python for Microcontrollers – Adafruit Daily — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: Open Hardware is In, New CircuitPython and Pi 5 16GB, and much more! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
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