Today marks the 30th anniversary of the first Apple computer going on sale.
It has been a long and winding road.
Nothing in history or even amongst the paleofuture study of the company could have predicted Apple in 2007.
The Apple Mac may not hold a position of dominant market share today but amongst the technology influencers there is no other choice. The iPod is all dominant; even Apple could not have predicted the market dominance that iPod holds today. On June 29 the Apple iPhone will take the Apple brand to the mobile phone market, and even if it doesn’t meet market hype, its impact prior to launch is already causing competitors such as Samsung to respond.
Apple is older than probably half the people reading this post. My very first computer experience in about 1982 was on an Apple II. Even when I finished my secondary education in 1993 my school still ran Apple II e’s, despite the growth of the DOS/ PC market at the time.
Even without market dominance, Apple’s influence is absolute. Share you Apple recollections in the comments.
In 1978 I had a choice between getting an Exidy Sorcerer or an Apple II. I got the Apple. In 1983 (yes, three) I was doing WYSIWYG GUI development on Lisa. I had the first Mac in my city. Today I’m typing this on a 17″ C2D MBP, and trying to figure out the best place to be on the morning of the 29th.
Been a long ride, and it’s not over yet.
hmmm, i just got hold of a macbook. I was so excited before i got it, but now, no so much.
maybe it’s because I’m so used to my pc….
At one point, just about everyone I knew was getting an iPod. Now, those same people and more are all getting MacBooks. Apple has clearly captivated people the world over with its products and for that I applaud them!
My first experience with a Mac and it crashed, no joke! It really did!
Then again so did the PC, so maybe it’s just me.
I used my first Mac at school when I was about 14, an 630 in the design department. It was awful, but still better than the crummy RM Nimbus machines in the computing department or the BBC Micros I’d used until then typing away in Basic.
At 19 I got my first Mac – a 5200. It too was fairly awful but it was mine and I loved it. A year later I spent about £4000 on an 8500 AV with Applevision 17″ AV monitor. That thing could power NASA. I’ve been hooked since. Since then I’ve had a Classic, Wall Street Powerbook, tray loading blueberry iMac, blueberry iBook, slot loading blueberry iMac, and an eMac. I currently have a G4 12″ Powerbook and an Intel Core Solo Mac mini. At work I use a quicksilver G4 PowerMac. I also have an iSight, 1 gen 3 iPod, 1 gen 5 iPod, 1 gen 1 id shuffle, every book on Apple, Steve Jobs, Gil Amelio, John Sculley and Steve Wozniak including the ultra rare Apple Design book.
Here’s to another 30 years of leading the computer industry and whatever other markets Apple decides to conquer.
My first exposure to a computer was an Apple IIe in 1983 (ish). From there it was a Mac in 1988, then nothing until the iPod revolution.
In 2004 I was reminded what ‘form over function’ was all about with my first iPod. This thing actually worked and was easy to use. I handed it to a friend’s 10 year old and he figured it all out in about 2 minutes!
Next was a MacBook pro and I don’t hate using a computer any more.
All credit to a company prepared to take a risk and innovate, rather than focus on driving up revenue.
I Apple is the bridge between web2.0 and the world of digital media, and now the iphone will change everything as the first multi devices bringing togather Ipod, Phone, GPS, Internet, WiFi, Video Cam, in the palm of your hand. The iPhone is set to change the world.
I can remember playing “EZ Logo” on the Apple II E in the 2nd grade. I thought drawing a house or a triangle were the coolest thigns ever.
For me, almost all computers/OS are equivalent. Apple is as innovative as its competitor, not more, not less.
I’ve never actually owned a Mac, or even used them beyond playing Oregon Trail in elementary school. The missus has one, that I’ve played with a bit, and I’m not actually crazy about OS X, but there’s a lifetime of Windows use playing into my bias.
I kind of want a MacBook (I’m willing to pay the “black tax”) or MacBook Pro, though, even though I’d be dual-booting it and probably using Windows most of the time. I just absolutely adore Apple’s industrial design. The case isn’t covered in OEM logo stickers, there’s just the Apple logo on top, and smooth roundness all around. Really slick, beautiful products.
I bought a apple IIe at a garage sale; for $!5 .. in probably 94 …
– Took it home / popped in the 5.25” inch floppy and played the 3 games till my heart content;
– games included oregon trail / and other “educational” titles
– RB
I’m in my 30’s and I’ve only owned Macs in my lifetime. I used PC’s in my college computer labs for awhile when forced to. I’ve watched my friends and family struggle with their PC’s and not really like using them, but simply tolerate them. I’ve always loved my Macs, and they just keep getting better. Almost every day I discover some new, cool way to use it. Can’t wait to see what the future holds.
College, 1987. A friend had the nice white box, worked with a floppy and would say “Hello” everytime.
Stuck with Macs through the hard times, even luckily bought and held stock.
@2 – wait until you continue to use your macbook, especially Apple software, and combine it with other Apple products.
I remember in both elementary and middle school using the new macs. Ah, the good old days of OS 6 & 7. I’ve reluctantly used a PC as my main compy ever since.
We had LC IIs at school for years, and then we got IMacs in middle school.
bubble trouble. man that was a great game.
My first exposure to a “pc” was the Apple ][+ playing a game like lode runner where you dig holes and trap apples
Shortly thereafter my grandparents got me an apple ][e and the rest was history. I loved that computer and in fact still have it. It won't boot up, I think the power supply is long dead.
Even though I am an avid PC fan.
My first computer I used was a Macintosh. Playing those simplistic games. Actually every computer in the school used by students was a Macintosh in those days.
Great work Mac, hang in there.
I got my first Mac at work in 1988. I’d been around computers (mainframes) since 1969, but this was an entirely different experience. I set it up, networked it, and connected it to the printer in about 15 minutes or so (with no prior experience).
The company I was working for at the time had just gotten a big project for IBM. We did it on the Mac, using several fonts (in different sizes), and creating graphics. At the time, font choices on IBM/DOS were extremely limited; graphics were practically non-existent. When the project was delivered, the IBMers gasped, and said to my boss, “Wow! How did you do this?!?!?”
I’ve been a Mac user ever since, and am now typing this on a 20″ Intel Core Duo Imac.
I switched to a Mac 4 months ago and I am feeling lucky. I see more and more switchers around and an Apple Store opened in my little hometown – thats a sign! Working with a Mac is more relaxing – don’t know why – but it definitly is. Even coding on a Mac is more fun. Perhaps I made bad exp. with my PC but all I can say about the Mac – It simply works. Looking forward too the iPhone – I am sure this thingy will be a burner!
I am fascinated by the ‘mac haters’ out there in the world. The angst of letting a lot of people thoroughly enjoy their purchase confounds me. The position that Apple fans are zombie like cult followers… being led around by an apple on a string seems to be the only defense. Sure, they appreciate cool – but it is also about convenience, efficiency and elegance.
I have always thought that if you don’t appreciate the added value that a 911 brings over a 350ZX, then save some money, purchase the Nissan and move on.
Innovation has been the key to Apple’s success.
Apple will have a bright future if they keep on
innovating . Competitive advantage dictates that to
stay ahead you have to keep on inventing.
I remember playing Lode Runner for hours on end at my friend’s house who had an Apple. Simply a green screen monitor, but we loved that game…
In the early 1980’s my dad bought an Apple all in one. I can’t remember what the model was called, but the computer and screen were all one unit. You could doodle and write on it.
I bought an Apple IIc in 1984 when I entered law school. I’ve always liked Apple products. I just wish I could justify Macs at my company today, but we wouldn’t get too far with our Fortune 100 customers if we did that.
The problem I see with the iPhone is that the hype is reaching unsustainable levels. The iPod was a surprise smash it. The iPhone cannot possibly live up the hype. Road warriors will quickly tire of the lack of a keyboard and terrible battery life. Most of the trendy types (college students) who made the iPod a smash will simply not be able to afford an iPhone.
I think the iPhone is headed for Newton territory (another Apple product which was excessively hyped). Other vendors (such as Samsung) will incorporate some of the iPhone features in a device that is actually useful.
My first days in college were in 1982 where we had Apple II’s, I spent the entire year in the computer lab, ended up repeating my first year and have remained fixed in the tech world ever since.
Happy Birthday to the Apple world.
Sadly, I am older than Apple
Though, I’m a kid at heart 
Only Apple ever used was a IIe
Love Hypercard always will. Thank you Apple.
“amongst the influencers of Web 2.0 there is no other choice” I think that’s over-stating it just a bit. Not to be a jackass about it, but unless you’ve surveyed the entire web 2.0 community, that’s a hard statement to back.
That said, an Apple II was my first machine as well and I will always remember the thrill I got everytime I booted it up and heard the crunch of the disk drive initializing
I collect old (’vintage’) computers….The jewel of my collection is an Apple Lisa-1. I kept it in my office for many years and used to give demos to the new software engineers – they were amazed at a machine from 1982 had features we take for granted to day: 32-bit processor, virtual memory, screen savers, multi-tasking, GUI, mouse, network…fewer realize the impact of this machine: The cut-and-paste we do on this machine appeared on the Lisa OS as a method of cutting between the 7 integrated applications. Thank you Apple!
The first time I’ve “used” an apple computer, I was about 2 years old, in 1983. I can’t remember this first experience
My father still use Apple computer, but i’m now on a PC (Please, God, save me, lol) for school reasons. It’s almost over now, and I’m really thinking of buying a iMac.
I’m reaching the end of my computer science study, thanks to Apple, which give me the willing of being a computer scientist.
Apple still make me dream, thanks for that.
—
La première fois que j’ai utilisé un ordinateur de chez Apple, je devais avoir à peut près 2 ans, en 1983. Je ne peux malheureusement pas me rappeler de cette expérience.
Mon père est toujours client de la firme à la pomme, mais j’ai pour ma part du me résoudre à utiliser un PC pour des raisons purement scolaire. Mes études touchant très prochainement à leur fin, j’envisage grandement de revenir chez Apple. Pourquoi pas un petit iMac ?
Si j’ai fait des études d’informatique, c’est principalement grâce à Apple et à ses ordinateurs qui m’ont donnés une véritable envie de créer des applications, et de devenir développeur.
Merci Apple de toujours me faire rêver.
I’m not as wayback as many of you, but the first mac I owned was a Centris 650 in 1993. 25 MHz, upgraded to 24 megs RAM. $3,300 bucks. Ahhh, dreams of scuzzy cables and beige putty goodness.
I preferred macs during the awkward times, so it’s easy to just straight up love them now. “fanboy?” guess so, whatever that means.
In 1979, I was a senior in high school and the science teacher received a grant for Apple II computers. They were a lot of fun to program. It was always fun trying to fit as much as possible under the memory (64KB at that time). When I went off to college, I graduated to a mainframe for programming. Didn’t realize how many steps that I had taken backwards at the time.
I used to play Oregon Trail on the Mac IIe and for that I thank you Steve.
Oregon Trail is what used to get me to wake up for school in the morning
.
I’m not as wayback as many of you, but the first mac I owned was a Centris 650 in 1993. 25 MHz, upgraded to 24 megs RAM. $3,300 bucks. Ahhh, dreams of scuzzy cables and beige putty goodness.
I preferred macs during the awkward times, so it’s easy to just straight up love them now. “fanboy?” guess so, whatever that means.
My first introduction to computers was Mac in 1996 where i started my Multimedia course.
In 2003 I got my first iPod and in 2005 my MacMini and in 2006 my 13″ MacBook. No going back to PC after the launch of Parellels and BootCamp. Mac is a pleasure to work with and its an experience never to miss out.
I had the fortune of meeting Woz (Steve Wozniak) at the 30th anniversary of the Homebrew Computer Club a few years back at the museum in Mountain View. Someone brought over an old floppy drive controller for him to autograph (it was a computer nerd event, what can you say), and Woz recalled how he had found a way to get more done with less chips on this particular layout. It was totally clear this was a guy who loved his job and was still passionate about it, years later. He also showed a great sense of humour.
I highly recommend the book “Revolution in the valley” (the insanely great story of how the mac was made). Lots of the stories are on the site http://folklore.org/ , but the book has lots of neat photos, notes and technical diagrams from the time showing some of the incredible accomplishes and sacrifices made by the team.
Most interestingly, some of stories from then (1984) seem really relevant to the whole web 2.0 thing these days – “rounded rects”, doing UI design, making interaction decisions and so on; it just happens to be on the web this time around. Definitely worth checking out.
Bought a Mac + with a external 2nd 800 floppy drive in college in 1987. Could run the OS and MS word, excell and powerpoint all from the two drives! Spent hours playing Dark Castle. And best of all, my papers looked so much better than the guys who used the IBM’s with WordPerfect
Well, speaking of the iPhone, the China pirates have already come up with a knock-off.
http://blog.equ...hone-knockoffs/
Whats funny is that with all that has happened over the past 5 or so years, I think all of us still have iPod holdouts for friends – definitely room for more growth!
That’s “Apple ][”, young man
I started my career at Apple, when SIMM modules were the breaking technology. Some years later I switched to Windows due to peer pressure, and then rebelled to Linux. Now I’m all Debian on the server, and all Apple on the desktop.
Finally. Now can everyone quit releasing stuff for a bit so I can get some work done? hehe
pure fud.
“amongst the influencers” that is bs. most of the web 2.0 hackers use linux, ever heard of it moron…probably not…forced to use a mac in engineering school in the early 90s…so glad I got away from that pos…again you are pumping pure fud arrington…you should rename your blog “i don’t know shit, but i suck up to whatever is cool for the moment, except real compilers and real technology, that is , unless its web 2.0, because I am the biggest web 2.0 fanboy around, infact, I invented and co developed web2.0 with al gore”
But what does this have to do with the iPhone…. best line ever
Oregon Trail…..
“The Apple Mac may not hold a position of dominant market share today but amongst the influencers of Web 2.0 there is no other choice.”
Funny at the Web 2.0 Expo, I saw a lot of Macs but PC’s dominated the place.
I think its funny that its taken Apple 30 freaking years to finally figure it out and we’re celebrating that. Its like cheering on the retard that finally crosses the finish line long after everyone else has finished the race.
Nice work, Steve-o. Nice work.
Apple was not my first computer, that distinction goes to a Commodore 64, then to a Laser 128 and finally to an Apple II (the Laser as I recollect was a damn fine machine). However, I haven’t used a Apple computer since the Ronald Reagan was president, and the simple reason was that software was always easier to get for the PC. Cut it anyway you want, that was the truth until software lost its meaning (hmmm, wonder if Microsoft has figured this out yet…). I don’t think that we’ve seen the biggest news of Apple’s existence yet. No, the final battle in the war against Microsoft (such a strange war considering one makes hardware and the other software) will be when Google and Apple merge and we get Gapple. In five years we’ll probably be celebrating the 2 or 3 year anniversary of Gapple. Then hopefully Steve will take all of his ambition and drive and run the country or something.
Oh, also, does anyone know how much Forrest Gump’s share of Apple would be worth today?
I once had conceived an entire Kevin Bacon like web of how everything that meant anything to me was connected to a mac, and it was all less than three degrees. I told this to a girl friend once and she freaked out saying “Well I’m not connected to macs, I’ve never even used one! Does that mean I’m not important to you?” I then explained how she was connected to macs, she realized I was a total dork and dumped me.
Last time I heard from her she was working at an ad firm in LA… on Macs.
I remember attending the “Macintosh Professional Developer’s Program” at Harvard Summer School back in 1984. The “White Book” that described all the operating system managers (like QuickDraw) was mimeographed and full of penciled in notes and comments from the Apple operating system team. Back then, many of the controls (GUI elements) did not have their system support yet, so we had to create all the GUI elements ourselves via QuickDraw. No higher level languages, everything in assembly. No debugging, only the ability to look at the memory… It was exciting. The first graphical interface.
Being a developer, I gravitated to the PC over the years. It looks like the development environments on Macs are much better now, but I’m an old fart and don’t like relearning to do something I can do perfectly well on a PC.
For about 10 years I was a Mac developer…