In 1976, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple Computers and introduced the Apple I, the company's first computer. The Apple I was a personal computer designed and hand-built by Wozniak in Jobs' garage, and it marked the beginning of Apple's journey into the world of personal computing.
The Apple I was a relatively simple computer, but it was revolutionary for its time. It was the first computer to use a keyboard and a standard TV as a display, making it accessible and affordable for the average person. Before the Apple I, computers were typically large, expensive machines that were primarily used by businesses and government agencies.
The Apple I was based on the MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor, which was popular at the time for its low cost and performance. The computer had a clock speed of 1 MHz and 4 kilobytes of memory, which could be expanded up to 8 kilobytes with additional chips. The computer also had a cassette tape interface for loading and saving programs, as well as a simple operating system that allowed users to type in basic commands.
The Apple I was sold as a bare circuit board, and customers had to supply their own case, power supply, and peripherals, such as a keyboard and a display. The computer was priced at $666.66, which was a nod to Wozniak's love of repeating digits and had no religious connotations, despite popular myth.
The Apple I was not a commercial success, as only about 200 units were sold. However, it was a proof of concept that demonstrated the potential of personal computing and paved the way for the Apple II, which was released the following year and became a huge success.
The Apple II was a more advanced computer that had a built-in keyboard, color graphics, and a floppy disk drive. It became the cornerstone of Apple's success and established the company as a major player in the personal computer industry.
In conclusion, the Apple I was a simple but groundbreaking computer that marked the beginning of Apple's journey into the world of personal computing. It was a proof of concept that demonstrated the potential of personal computing and paved the way for the Apple II, which became a huge success and established Apple as a major player in the industry. Today, Apple is one of the largest technology companies in the world, and it all started with the humble Apple I.