Apple I

Essentials

Family: Pre-Macintosh

Codename: ?

Introduced: April 1976

Terminated: March 1977

Processor

CPU: MOS Technology 6502

CPU Speed: 1 MHz

FPU: none

Bus Speed: 1 MHz

Register Width: 8-bit

Data Bus Width: 8-bit

Address Bus Width: 16-bit

Onboard RAM: 8 kB

Maximum RAM: 65 kB

Video

VRAM: 1 kB

Max Resolution: 60.05 Hz, 40x24 char

Miscellaneous

Power: 58 Watts

The Apple I was Steven Wozniak's first contribution to the personal computer field. It was designed over a period of years, and was only built in printed circuit-board form when Steve Jobs insisted it could be sold. It debuted in April 1976 at the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, but few took it seriously. The Apple I was based on the MOStek 6502 chip, whereas most other "kit" computers were built from the Intel 8080. The Apple I was sold through several small retailers, and included only the circuit board. A tape-interface was sold separately, but you had to build the case. The Apple I's initial cost was $666.66

click here (197 k) to see a print add for the Apple I.

Picture Credits:
Barkley Anderson
Apple, Inc.