Apple’s groundbreaking early years: 1976 to 1985

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In summary:

Macworld explores Apple’s transformative first decade (1976-1985), highlighting iconic products like the Apple I, Apple II, Lisa, and original Macintosh that defined personal computing.
These groundbreaking machines introduced revolutionary features including graphical user interfaces, desktop publishing capabilities, and user-friendly design that made technology accessible to everyday consumers.
Apple’s early innovations during this period established the foundation for modern computing and continue influencing today’s operating systems like macOS and iOS.

Apple’s first decade is filled with products that are iconic, not just within Apple’s own history, but the history of technology. Apple is often cited as the originator of personal computing, releasing products that empowered generations of users and set the example for how technology can be used by the masses.

This era saw three different computing platforms come from Apple–that’s how uncertain the future was. By the end of the decade, the Macintosh would emerge as the primary focus for Apple, which would eventually form the basis for iOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS. Here’s how the first 10 years of Apple, 1976-1985, shaped the future.

April 1976: Apple I

Foundry

The computer that started it all didn’t even come with a case–the Apple I was just a circuit board, and buyers had to bring their own case, which resulted in some unique setups that would make Jony Ive cringe. (“Wood? Bollocks.”) Apple made about 200 computers that had a 1.02MHz CMOS Technology 6502 microprocessor and 4K of RAM, and introduced the Apple I at $666.66, which was later reduced to $475.

Because of its rarity and historic influence, the Apple I sometimes becomes available through auctions, and the bidding reaches the hundreds of thousands of dollars. But the value of the Apple I in tech history can’t be measured–while…

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