The First Personal Computer: A Look Back at the Altair 8800

Introduction

Before sleek laptops and powerful gaming rigs, there was the Altair 8800—the machine that sparked the personal computer revolution. Released in 1975 by Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS), the Altair 8800 was the first commercially successful personal computer (PC) that ordinary people could buy and program.

This article explores:

• The origins of the Altair 8800
• How it worked (and why it was so primitive by today’s standards)
• Its impact on computing history
• The rise of Microsoft and the PC industry

The Birth of the Altair 8800

In the early 1970s, computers were huge, expensive machines owned only by corporations, universities, and governments. That changed when Ed Roberts, an engineer at MITS, designed the Altair 8800 as a build-it-yourself kit for hobbyists.

Key Features:

• Processor: Intel 8080 (8-bit, 2 MHz)
• Memory: 256 bytes (expandable to 64KB)
• Input/Output: Front-panel switches & blinking lights (no keyboard or screen!)
• Storage: None (users had to reload programs manually every time)
• Price: **395asakit∗∗(395asakit∗∗(439 assembled) (~$2,200 today)

The Altair was featured on the January 1975 cover of Popular Electronics, which helped it gain massive attention.

How Did the Altair 8800 Work?

Unlike modern PCs, the Altair had:

• No operating system – Users had to manually toggle switches to input binary code.
• No display or keyboard – Output was just a series of flashing LEDs.
• No storage – Programs vanished when powered off.

Despite these limitations, it was revolutionary because:
✅ It was affordable (compared to mainframes).
✅ It was programmable (users could write their own software).
✅ It inspired future tech giants (Microsoft, Apple, and more).

The Altair’s Role in Tech History

1. The Birth of Microsoft

• Bill Gates and Paul Allen wrote a BASIC interpreter for the Altair, forming Microsoft (then called “Micro-Soft”).
• This was Microsoft’s first product, proving that software could be a business.

2. The Homebrew Computer Club

• Early computer enthusiasts, including Steve Wozniak (Apple co-founder), met to discuss the Altair.
• This club led to the creation of the Apple I (1976), the next major PC.

3. The Start of the PC Revolution

• The Altair proved that small, affordable computers were possible.
• It paved the way for machines like the Apple II (1977), IBM PC (1981), and beyond.

Could You Use an Altair 8800 Today?

Technically, yes—but it would be extremely difficult compared to modern PCs:
🔹 No modern software – You’d have to write everything in machine code.
🔹 No internet, graphics, or sound – Just raw computing.
🔹 Collector’s item – Original Altairs sell for thousands of dollars today.

However, emulators and replicas exist for those who want to experience computing in 1975.

Legacy: The Machine That Changed the World

The Altair 8800 may seem primitive now, but it was the spark that ignited the PC revolution. Without it, we might not have:

• Microsoft Windows
• Apple Macintosh
• Modern gaming & business PCs

It proved that computers could be personal—not just for big corporations.

Final Thoughts

The Altair 8800 was slow, clunky, and hard to use, but it was the first true personal computer. Its influence lives on in every laptop, smartphone, and gaming console today.

Would you have enjoyed computing in the 1970s? Let us know in the comments!

FAQ

Q: Was the Altair 8800 the first computer ever?
A: No, but it was the first commercially successful PC for individuals.

Q: Did the Altair have a monitor?
A: No—users had to read output from LED lights or connect a terminal.

Q: How powerful was it compared to today’s PCs?
A: A $5 Raspberry Pi is millions of times faster than the Altair.

Q: Can I buy an Altair today?
A: Yes, but originals are rare. You can buy replicas like the Altair-Duino.