Apple I

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Apple I
Image:Apple I.jpg
Manufacturer	Apple Computer
Type	Personal computer
Casing	Wood
Production	April, 1976
Discontinued	March, 1977
CPU	MOS 6502 @ 1 MHz
RAM	4 KB standard expandable to 8 KB or 48 KB using expansion cards
Graphics	40×24 characters Hardware-implemented scrolling

The Apple I was an early personal computer. The Apple I was designed by Steve Wozniak originally for personal use. Wozniak's friend Steve Jobs had the idea of selling the computer. It was sold as Apple's first product, beginning in April 1976. It was originally set to sell at around $667 after a price hike from $650 so Apple could make some sort of profit. Wozniak because he liked repeating digits wanted the price to be $666.66. 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 is sometimes credited as the first personal computer to be sold in fully assembled form; however, some argue that the honour rightfully belongs to other machines, such as the MOS Technology KIM-1, Datapoint 2200, or more commonly the Altair 8800 (which could be bought in kit or assembled form for extra cost).

The Apple I's use of a keyboard and monitor was distinctive. 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 keyboards and monitors. This made the Apple I an innovative machine for its day. It was discontinued in March 1977, when it was replaced with the Apple II, which added graphics and sound capabilities.

As of the turn of the millennium, an estimated 30 to 50 Apple Is are still known to exist, making it a 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. A software-compatible clone of the Apple I (Replica I) produced using modern components, was released in 2003 at a price of around $200.