There's no doubt the Apple 1 is an iconic computer. We decided to re-create this classic machine with the help of an unassembled kit. Find out how we got on.
Early computers were designed for functionality, not aesthetics. The Apple 1 did not come with a case; hobbyists instead designed their own, including carving wooden cases or retrofitting briefcases.
The Replica 1 is similarly utilitarian, so there's a power LED right on the board to indicate the on/off state. Here I'm holding the LED, which has two leads that slide into the appropriate holes, in my left hand; the longer lead is the positive end and is inserted where the + symbol indicates.
Top photo
Here, some of the interface components are being inserted and soldered.
Bottom photo
From left to right are a composite video output, a serial port, a DC power input, and the on/off switch. Not all of these parts were included in the original Apple 1; the RS232 serial port, for example, allows the Replica 1 to interface with and download data from modern computers.
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Comments
paul c said: How amazing that the chips are still availabe after all this time or are some specially made I wish i could get my Mackintosh Mac up and running again that easy have lots of files on the drive
MalcolmF said: Quite astounding that there were no instructions pointing out that the sockets have orientation marks so should not be fitted any way as do the ICs that are eventually insertedOf course if there were such instructions its equally amazing that the components survived switch-on