# Apple II

> first computer model in the Apple II series

**Wikidata**: [Q3017175](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3017175)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_II_(original))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/apple-ii

## Summary
The Apple II is the first computer model in the Apple II series, released in 1977 as a pioneering home computer. Designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, it was one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputers. The Apple II featured color graphics, sound capabilities, and an open architecture that made it popular for both business and personal use.

## Key Facts
- Released on June 10, 1977, as the first model in the Apple II series
- Designed by Steve Wozniak and developed by Apple Inc.
- Used the MOS Technology 6502 8-bit microprocessor
- Ran Integer BASIC and Apple DOS operating systems
- Featured color graphics and sound capabilities, unusual for computers at the time
- Part of the home computer subclass and personal computer category
- Followed by the Apple II Plus as the next model in the series
- Manufactured by Apple Inc., an American multinational technology company
- Had a sitelink count of 27 across various platforms and databases

## FAQs
### Q: What made the Apple II revolutionary for its time?
A: The Apple II was revolutionary because it was one of the first mass-produced microcomputers with color graphics, sound capabilities, and an open architecture that allowed users to expand and modify the system. It made computing accessible to home users and small businesses.

### Q: Who created the Apple II and when was it released?
A: The Apple II was designed by Steve Wozniak and released by Apple Inc. on June 10, 1977. It was the first model in the Apple II series of computers.

### Q: What operating systems did the Apple II use?
A: The Apple II ran Integer BASIC as its primary programming environment and Apple DOS as its disk operating system, allowing users to run software from floppy disks.

## Why It Matters
The Apple II represents a pivotal moment in computing history as one of the first truly successful personal computers that brought computing power to the masses. Before the Apple II, computers were primarily large, expensive machines limited to businesses, universities, and government institutions. The Apple II's affordable price point, user-friendly design, and versatile capabilities democratized computing, making it accessible to home users, small businesses, and educational institutions. Its open architecture encouraged software development and hardware expansion, creating a vibrant ecosystem that helped establish the personal computer market. The Apple II also played a crucial role in popularizing spreadsheet software through VisiCalc, which became the first "killer app" that drove business adoption of personal computers. By proving that there was a mass market for personal computers, the Apple II helped launch the modern computing industry and influenced the design of countless computers that followed.

## Notable For
- First Apple computer to achieve mass-market success and establish the company's reputation
- One of the first personal computers with color graphics and sound capabilities
- Popularized the concept of the home computer and educational computing
- Created the market for personal computer software through its open architecture
- Served as the platform for VisiCalc, the first electronic spreadsheet and killer application

## Body
### Design and Development
The Apple II was designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, with Steve Jobs overseeing the development of its distinctive plastic case. Wozniak's engineering focused on creating a computer that was both powerful and affordable, using the MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor to keep costs down while maintaining performance. The design emphasized expandability, with eight expansion slots that allowed users to add peripheral cards for various functions.

### Technical Specifications
The Apple II featured a 1 MHz MOS Technology 6502 processor, 4 KB of RAM (expandable to 48 KB), and supported both text and color graphics modes. It included a built-in keyboard and could connect to a television or monitor for display. The computer's sound capabilities included a built-in speaker that could produce music and sound effects, making it popular for games and educational software.

### Software and Applications
The Apple II ran Integer BASIC, a programming language developed by Wozniak specifically for the machine. Apple DOS provided disk operating system functionality, allowing users to store and retrieve programs and data on floppy disks. The computer's most significant software application was VisiCalc, released in 1979, which became the first spreadsheet program and drove widespread business adoption of personal computers.

### Market Impact and Legacy
The Apple II was commercially successful, selling millions of units over its production lifetime from 1977 to 1993. It established Apple as a major player in the computer industry and created a software ecosystem that included thousands of applications. The computer's success demonstrated the viability of the personal computer market and influenced the design of subsequent computers. Many early software developers and computer enthusiasts got their start with the Apple II, and it played a significant role in the development of the American technology industry.

### Variants and Evolution
The Apple II was followed by several improved models in the series, including the Apple II Plus in 1979, which added support for Applesoft BASIC (a floating-point version of BASIC). Later models like the Apple IIe and Apple IIc introduced enhanced features and improved compatibility while maintaining backward compatibility with original Apple II software.

## Schema Markup
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  "name": "Apple II",
  "description": "First computer model in the Apple II series, released in 1977 as a pioneering home computer",
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## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File