Apple I
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Developer | Apple Computer |
|---|---|
| Type | Personal computer |
| Release date | July 1976 |
| Introductory price | US$666.66 |
| Discontinued | September 1977 |
| CPU | MOS 6502 @ 1 MHz |
| Memory | 4 KB standard expandable to 8 KB or 48 KB using expansion cards |
| Graphics | 40×24 characters, hardware-implemented scrolling |
The Apple I, also known as the Apple-1, was an early personal computer. They were designed and hand-built by Steve Wozniak.[1][2] Wozniak's friend Steve Jobs had the idea of selling the computer. The Apple I was Apple's first product, demonstrated in April 1976 at the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, California. It went on sale in July 1976 at a price of $666.66[3], because Wozniak liked repeating digits[4] and because they originally sold it to a local shop for $500 and added a one-third markup. About 200 units were produced. Unlike other hobbyist computers of its day, which were sold as kits, the Apple I was a fully assembled circuit board containing about 30 chips. However, to make a working computer, users still had to add a case, power supply, keyboard, and display. An optional board providing a cassette interface for storage was later released at a cost of $75.
The Apple I's built-in computer terminal circuitry was distinctive. All one needed was a keyboard and an inexpensive television set. Competing machines such as the Altair 8800 generally were programmed with front-mounted toggle switches and used indicator lights (red LEDs, most commonly) for output, and had to be extended with separate hardware to allow connection to a computer terminal or a teletypewriter machine. This made the Apple I an innovative machine for its day. In April 1977 the price was dropped to $475.[5]. It continued to be sold through August 1977, despite the introduction of the Apple II in April 1977, which began shipping in June of that year.[6] Apple had dropped the Apple 1 from its price list by October 1977, officially discontinuing it.[7]
As of 2008, an estimated 30 to 50 Apple I computers are still known to exist, making it a very rare collector's item. An Apple I reportedly sold for $50,000 at auction in 1999; however, a more typical price for an Apple I is in the $14,000–$16,000 range.
Contents |
[edit] Emulators, clones, and replicas
A software-compatible clone of the Apple I (Replica 1) produced using modern components, was released in 2003 at a price of around $200.[8][9][10] Other replicas and do-it-yourself kits and instructions are available.[11][12]
The Multi Emulator Super System emulator also supports the Apple I.[13]
Timeline of Apple II family models
[edit] References
- ^ IOL Technology - Co-founder tells his side of Apple story
- ^ NPR : A Chat with Computing Pioneer Steve Wozniak
- ^ "Video: Wozniak: $666.66 seemed like a good idea". CNET News. 2005-11-07. http://news.cnet.com/1606-2-5937610.html. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
- ^ Wozniak, Steven: "iWoz", page 180. W. W. Norton, 2006. ISBN 978-0-393-06143-7
- ^ April 1977 Price List | Applefritter
- ^ Bill of Sale | Applefritter
- ^ October 1977 Price List | Applefritter
- ^ replica I - the apple I(c) clone, retrieved 2009-08-15
- ^ replica I at official Briel computers web site, retrieved 2008-08-15
- ^ Gagne, Ken Image gallery: Building an Apple-1 replica from scratch, Computerworld, 2008-08-14, story with pictures for assembling a Briel replica I from a kit, retrieved 2008-08-15
- ^ Owad, Tom Apple I Replica Creation, retrieved 2009-08-15
- ^ A-one, retrieved 2009-08-15
- ^ Apple I, retrieved 2008-08-15
- Price, Rob, So Far:the First Ten Years of a Vision, Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA, 1987, ISBN 1-55693-974-4
- Owad, Tom (2005). Apple I Replica Creation: Back to the Garage. Rockland, MA: Syngress Publishing. Copyright © 2005. ISBN 1-931836-40-X
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Apple I |
- Apple I Owners Club
- Macintosh Prehistory: The Apple I
- My Apple I project on www.sbprojects.com
- Apple I Operational Manual
| Preceded by — |
Apple I 1976 |
Succeeded by Apple II |
