Altair 8800: The Computer that Sparked the Microcomputer Revolution

In 1975, the world of computing was set for a big change. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a team at Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS) was finishing a new device. The Altair 8800 was this microcomputer, which would start the microcomputer revolution. It changed the way we use computers today.

Ed Roberts, the founder of MITS, was the mind behind the Altair 8800. He wanted to make computing easy for everyone. Roberts and his team aimed to create a personal computer that was both affordable and powerful.

Key Takeaways

The Altair 8800 was the first commercially successful personal computer, catalysing the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s.
It was designed by MITS, a company founded by Ed Roberts and Forrest M. Mims III, which initially sold radio transmitters and instruments for model rockets before moving into the personal computer market.
The Altair 8800 was powered by an Intel 8080 processor and shipped with 256 bytes of RAM, a groundbreaking configuration at the time.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen wrote a pre-written operating system for the Altair in a marathon 24-hour session, laying the foundation for Microsoft’s rise to prominence.
The Altair 8800 inspired the creation of the Imsai 8080, a popular clone that eventually sold over 10,000 units, further fuelling the microcomputer revolution.

Introduction: The Altair 8800 and the Dawn of Personal Computing

The Altair 8800 was a game-changer in the world of computers. It was the first personal computer to make a big impact. It started the home computing movement. MITS, the company behind it, was started by Ed Roberts and Forrest M. Mims III in 1969. They first sold radio transmitters and rocket instruments, then calculator kits and test gear. Ed Roberts wanted to make a personal computer that could compete with the big machines, setting the stage for the Altair 8800.

The Significance of the Altair 8800 in Computer History

The Altair 8800 was a turning point in computing history. It kicked off the era of personal computers, making them accessible to everyone. This computer was affordable, could be expanded, and was made for users to customize. It led to a revolution in tech, encouraging the creation of more personal computers and the growth of the microcomputer market.

Altair Computer Ad May 1975. MITS staff, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

MITS and the Vision of Ed Roberts

MITS, the force behind the Altair 8800, was started by Ed Roberts and Forrest M. Mims III. Roberts, a doctor with a love for electronics, aimed to make a personal computer that was both affordable and easy to use. With his team’s skills in calculator kits and test equipment, they were ready to launch the Altair 8800.

Statistic	Value
52% of Popular Electronics subscribers were electronics professionals	52%
150,000 Popular Electronics subscribers repaired a TV in the last 60 days	150,000
The average Popular Electronics subscriber spent $470 on electronics equipment in 1974 ($3,578 in 2018)	$470 ($3,578 in 2018)
The Altair 8800 was available for under $400 in 1975	Under $400

The Development of the Altair 8800

The Altair 8800 was a key computer that started the microcomputer era. Ed Roberts and Bill Yates, the founders of MITS, worked hard to make it a reality. They overcame many technical issues to create a computer that changed history.

Choosing the Intel 8080 Microprocessor

At first, Ed Roberts thought about using the Intel 8008 chip for the Altair 8800. But experts suggested the Intel 8080, which was newer and stronger. This choice let Roberts buy the processors for $75 each, making the Altair 8800 affordable for many.

Designing the Altair 8800 Hardware

Ed Roberts and Bill Yates worked together on the Altair 8800’s design. They aimed to make it expandable and functional without raising the price too much. Their work led to the S-100 bus, a key part of the personal computer world.

Overcoming Technical Challenges

Creating the Altair 8800 was tough. Roberts and Yates had to solve many technical problems. They worked on power supply, circuit board design, and making the computer reliable. Despite these issues, the Altair 8800 became a groundbreaking computer that changed the industry.

Technical Specifications of the Altair 8800	Development Challenges of the Altair 8800
Intel 8080 microprocessor 256 bytes of RAM (expandable to 64 KB) Innovative S-100 bus structure Affordable price point of $397 for the kit	Ensuring reliable power supply Designing a robust circuit board Optimizing the overall computer design Meeting high demand with limited resources

The Altair 8800 Debuts in Popular Electronics

In January 1975, the Altair 8800 was featured on the cover of Popular Electronics magazine. This cover story was key to the Altair 8800’s success. It was the first affordable personal computer kit. Les Solomon and Arthur Salsberg, the magazine’s editors, were impressed by Ed Roberts’ achievement. He made a fully functional personal computer for under $500.

The Altair 8800’s Affordable Price Point

The Altair 8800 was priced at $439 for a kit or $621 assembled. Adjusted for inflation, that’s like $2,000 today. This made it a dream for computer hobbyists. Its affordable price helped it become a hit and grow the personal computing market.

Overwhelming Public Response

The cover story and the Altair 8800’s price led to a huge public response. MITS got thousands of orders in the first year. This showed how much people wanted affordable personal computers. This trend would keep shaping the industry.

Altair 8800 Computer, seit 1975, USA; Exponat Technisches Museum Wien. Dr. Bernd Gross, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Altair 8800’s debut in Popular Electronics was a game-changer. It sparked a wave of innovation and excitement. This changed the personal computing world forever.

The Impact of the Altair 8800

The Altair 8800 was launched in January 1975 and changed the game for microcomputers. It was priced at £395 for a kit and £650 fully assembled. This made it accessible to many, sparking a new interest in home computing.

Igniting the Microcomputer Revolution

Over 2,000 Altair 8800 units were sold initially. It had 256 bytes of memory, which could be expanded to 7K. This showed how powerful microprocessors could be for everyday users. The January 1975 cover story in Popular Electronics helped make the Altair a sensation.

Inspiring the Rise of Home Computing

The Altair 8800 did more than just sell well. It led to the birth of Microsoft. Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who would later start Microsoft, wrote to Ed Roberts after seeing the Altair in Popular Electronics. This led to the creation of Altair BASIC, a key programming language for the Altair.

Bill Gates and Paul Allen developed their version of the BASIC programming language specifically for the Altair 8800, marking the beginning of Microsoft. This version of BASIC was essential because it allowed users to write their own software for the Altair, significantly expanding its capabilities and popularity. The success of Altair BASIC established Microsoft as a key player in the software industry from its very inception.

Influencing Early Personal Computers

The Altair 8800 also shaped the future of personal computers. Steve Wozniak, inspired by the Altair, began designing his own computer in 1975. His work led to the Apple I, which became the Apple II, a major milestone in home computing.

The Altair 8800’s effect on the microcomputer world was huge. It sparked innovation and set the stage for personal computers. Its price, design, and community support were key to the revolution that followed.

The Altair 8800 Kit and Assembly Process

The Altair 8800 computer was sold as a kit for users to build themselves. This DIY method was key to its appeal. It let enthusiasts build their own microcomputer and learn about new computer technology.

The Altair 8800 Kit Contents

The kit had everything needed to make the computer. It included the Intel 8080 microprocessor, memory chips, and other parts. The components were top quality, making the computer reliable and functional.

Building and Troubleshooting the Kit

Putting together the Altair 8800 was tough and needed a lot of tech knowledge. Users had to solder parts onto the boards and resolve any problems. The Altair 8800 Construction Manual, Technical Manual, and Operator’s Manual helped users with assembly and addressing issues.

Altair 8800b Computer Front. Swtpc6800 en:User:Swtpc6800 Michael Holley, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Availability of Assembled Units

MITS also sold fully built Altair 8800 computers for those who didn’t want to build it themselves. These pre-assembled units made it easy for users to enjoy the microcomputer’s power without the build challenge.

Kit Component	Description
Revision 0 Display/Control board	The primary control and display board for the Altair 8800 kit
Revision 0 CPU board	The main processor board that houses the Intel 8080 microprocessor
Revision 0 1k SRAM board	The memory board, providing 1k of static RAM for the Altair 8800
Revision 0 Motherboard	The main interconnecting board that allows the various components to communicate

Less system crashed, better game performance

The Altair 8800 in Popular Culture and the Hobbyist Community

The Altair 8800 was a key player in the 1970s personal computer scene. It made a big impact on popular culture and the hobbyist community. It has been featured in media and films and has a dedicated user base.

Appearances in Media and Film

The Altair 8800’s unique look and blinking lights caught the eye of filmmakers. It made a memorable appearance in the Star Trek TV series. This helped make it a symbol of early personal computing.

The Altair User Community

The Altair 8800 also sparked a hobbyist community. Users shared tips and software, creating a strong support network. This community was key to the Altair’s success, pushing the limits of what the computer could do.

Altair Clones and Replicas

The Altair 8800’s impact went beyond its original form. It inspired clones and replicas, like those from Imsai. These copies showed the lasting appeal and importance of this groundbreaking computer.

Statistic	Value
Launch Year	1975
Initial RAM	256 bytes
Maximum RAM Expansion	64 kilobytes
Processor	Intel 8080 (8-bit, 2 MHz)
Kit Price	$395
Assembled Price	$498

The Altair 8800’s influence on popular culture and the hobbyist community is huge. Its appearances in media and its strong user base show its lasting impact. It’s a true pioneer in personal computing.

The Legacy of the Altair 8800

Ed Roberts aimed to make a personal computer that could match minicomputers. His dream came true with the Altair 8800. This computer changed the computing world, starting the microcomputer revolution.

The Altair 8800’s Lasting Impact on Computing

The Altair 8800 is a key part of computer history. It made home computing popular. Its design let others add new parts and software, creating a thriving community.

This led many companies to make personal computers. These advancements made technology cheaper and better over time.

The Altair 8800’s Place in Computer History

The Altair 8800 still shapes today’s computing. It showed that personal computers could be a big deal. This made computing power available to more people.

Its success helped change how we use technology. The Altair 8800’s impact is still seen in our daily lives.

FAQ

What was the Altair 8800?

The Altair 8800 was a microcomputer made in 1974 by MITS. It used the Intel 8080 CPU. It was the first personal computer to be a big hit and started the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s.

Who created the Altair 8800?

MITS made the Altair 8800. MITS was started by Ed Roberts and Forrest M. Mims III in 1969. They first sold radio transmitters and rocket instruments. Then, they moved to calculator kits and test equipment.

What were the technical specifications of the Altair 8800?

The Altair 8800 used the Intel 8080 microprocessor. It didn’t have a built-in screen or video output. Users had to connect it to a serial terminal to see anything.

How did the Altair 8800 become a commercial success?

The Altair 8800 was on the cover of Popular Electronics magazine in January 1975. This caused a huge public interest. It was priced at 9 for a kit or 1 assembled, making it affordable for hobbyists.

How did the Altair 8800 impact the microcomputer revolution?

The Altair 8800 started the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s. It was an affordable, working personal computer kit. This inspired many hobbyists and developers to try home computing.

What was the Altair 8800 kit and assembly process like?

The Altair 8800 was a kit that users had to put together themselves. It was a tough task that needed a lot of technical skill. Users had to solder the parts onto the boards and resolve any problems.

How did the Altair 8800 influence popular culture and the hobbyist community?

The Altair 8800 became a big deal in popular culture, appearing in media and films like the original Star Trek series. It also created a strong hobbyist community. People shared tips, information, and software for the computer.

What is the legacy of the Altair 8800?

Ed Roberts wanted the Altair 8800 to be a full-featured, expandable personal computer that could compete with minicomputers. It achieved this goal and had a big impact on the computing world. It started the microcomputer revolution and encouraged the making of early personal computers.